Samir Shahat, a Pullman chemist who’s originally from Egypt, said he was impressed with what he saw after sitting through the jury selection for the Sami Al-Hussayen trial on Tuesday.

"I’m here to support Sami and at the same time witnessing the American justice system," said Shahat, a friend of Al-Hussayen’s. "We haven’t this kind of system back home. Here they are picking out jurors, there is discussion. … It is not only one judge saying the final thing. There is discussion with this large number of people."

As he left the courthouse, Shahat was surrounded by media, who asked him about perceptions of the religion both he and Al-Hussayen share. "Islam as a religion means peace – believe it or not," Shahat said. "Unfortunately there is some kind of Islamophobia going on these days. I hope it will pass over."

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