WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of the Treasury today designated two Lebanon-based charities controlled by Hamas. Al-Waqfiya Al-Ri’aya Al-Usra Al-Filistinya Wa Al-Lubnanya (‘Al-Waqfiya’) has been designated pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13224 for being controlled by, acting for or on behalf of, and providing financial support to Hamas. The Al-Quds International Foundation (‘Al-Quds’) has been designated pursuant to E.O. 13224 for being controlled by and acting for or on behalf of Hamas. Today’s actions freeze any assets Al-Waqfiya or Al-Quds hold under U.S. jurisdiction and prohibit U.S. persons from engaging in transactions with these parties. E.O. 13224 targets terrorists, terrorist organizations, and individuals and entities owned or controlled by or acting for or on behalf of designated terrorists or terrorist organizations, and those providing financial, material, or technological support or financial or other services to designated terrorists or terrorist organizations, or for acts of terrorism. ’The Treasury Department will continue to work to disrupt Hamas’s efforts to radicalize vulnerable communities and undermine regional stability,’ said Treasury Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence David S. Cohen. ‘Today’s action represents another step in our effort to ensure that charitable fronts are not used to finance terrorism.’ The Beirut-based Al-Waqfiya and Al-Quds exist to support the families of Hamas fighters and prisoners and to raise money for programs and projects in the Palestinian territories intended to spread Hamas’s influence and control. Al-Waqfiya, a central component of the Union of Good, which was designated pursuant to E.O. 13224 in November 2008 for supporting Hamas, was established by Hamas in 2000 to financially support the families of Hamas terrorists. The organization has been run by senior Hamas leadership for years, and several senior Hamas leaders play a dominant role within the organization. Al-Waqfiya has facilitated the collection of money on Hamas’s behalf, and has used its ties with money-changers and merchants in the Middle East to transfer funds to Hamas in Gaza. When delivering funds to Gaza, Al-Waqfiya obscures the sources of the money so that donations appear as innocuous charitable contributions. Portions of funds sent by Al-Waqfiya to Hamas were used by Hamas military operatives, and have financed the Hamas infrastructure in the Palestinian territories. Al-Quds was established in 2001 in Beirut by members of Hamas in order to raise funds for Hamas projects in Jerusalem through the cover of charity. Hamas’s leadership runs all of the foundation’s affairs through Hamas members who serve on the Board of Trustees, the Board of Directors, and other administrative committees. All documents, plans, budgets, and projects of Al-Quds are drafted by Hamas officials. Several senior Hamas officials, including Specially Designated Global Terrorists Musa Abu-Marzuq and Usama Hamdan, served on Al-Quds’ Board of Trustees. Representatives at an Al-Quds conference were told to consider themselves unofficial ambassadors for Hamas in their respective countries.”In fact, it would be appropriate to characterize the two charities as controlled by the Muslim Brotherhood rather than Hamas. Islam Online, formerly closely associated with Global Muslim Brotherhood leader Youssef Qaradawi, described the Al Quds International Institution (AQII) as a non-profit organization established in Lebanon in 2001 with a permanent headquarters in Jerusalem and says that the board of trustees features a “cohort of Arab and Muslim figures, who seek to keep Al-Quds cause alive and pass it on from one generation to another.” It should also be noted that the Secretary-General of AQII is Mohammad Akram al Adlouni who was the likely author of a U.S. Muslim Brotherhood document calling for the destruction of the Western civilization at the hands of the U.S. Muslim Brotherhood. A post from March 2011 reported that Qaradawi was to lead a delegation to the eighth annual Jerusalem Foundation (aka Al-Quds Foundation, AQII) conference to be held in Khartoum. Previous posts discussed the sixth and seventh Al-Quds conferences and a report from the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs (JCPA) discusses the critical role played by the Al-Quds conferences in the planning for the Gaza flotilla involved in a violent altercation with Israeli forces last June.
The Union of Good is a coalition of Islamic charities headed by Youssef Qaradawi and described in a NEFA Foundation report as follows:
The Union of Good is a coalition of Islamic charities that provides financial support to both the Hamas “social” infrastructure, as well as its terrorist activities. It is headed by global Muslim Brotherhood leader Youssef Qaradawi, and most of the trustees and member organizations are associated with the global Muslim Brotherhood. The Union of Good was banned by Israel in 2002 and was recently designated a terrorist entity by the United States, although neither Youssef Qaradawi nor any of the Trustees were similarly designated. Despite the fact that action has been taken against some of its member organizations in Europe, many of its other European member organizations continue to operate. Further, the Union of Good itself does not appear to be under investigation in Europe.Interestingly, none of the charity leaders were designated by the U.S. In 2008, the Union of Good (UOG) was so designated without mentioning Qaradawi.
The Hamas charter states that it is ” is one of the wings of the Muslim Brothers in Palestine” and an early media report indicated that shortly after Hamas took over the Gaza strip, Muslim Brotherhood representatives were present to review Hamas military formations . In 2007, a Hamas journalist acknowledged the role that the “international Muslim Brotherhood” has played in providing funds for the purchase of weapons and in 2008, an Israeli TV station reported that Muslim Brotherhood “representatives” had traveled to Gaza from Egypt through the open border to meet with Hamas. Hamas is supported financially and politically by the global Muslim Brotherhood and a NEFA Foundation report has documented the Hamas fund-raising activities of the Union of Good, a coalition of Islamic charities linked to the Brotherhood that provides financial support to both the Hamas “social” infrastructure, as well as its terrorist activities. Previous posts have also discussed the worldwide campaign orchestrated by the global Brotherhood against Israeli actions in Gaza during the 2008-2009 conflict with Israel.
http://www.currenttrends.org/docLib/20090411_Merley.USBROTHERHOOD.pdf
BREAKING NEWS: U.S. Treasury Designates Union Of Good; Fails To Mention Qaradawi Role
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The U.S. Treasury Department has designated the Union of Good, a
worldwide collection of charities headed by global Muslim Brotherhood
leader Youssef Qaradawi, as a terrorist entity as a result of its
fund-raising activities on behalf of Hamas. According to a just-released
Treasury announcement:Union of Good was designated today under Executive Order 13224, which targets terrorists, terrorist organizations, and those providing financial, technological, or material support to terrorists, terrorist organizations, or acts of terrorism. Any assets the Union of Good holds under U.S. jurisdiction are frozen and U.S. persons are prohibited from engaging in any transactions with the Union of Good. The leadership of Hamas created the Union of Good in late-2000, shortly after the start of the second Intifada, in order to facilitate the transfer of funds to Hamas. The Union of Good acts as a broker for Hamas by facilitating financial transfers between a web of charitable organizations—including several organizations previously designated under E.O. 13224 for providing support to Hamas—and Hamas-controlled organizations in the West Bank and Gaza. The primary purpose of this activity is to strengthen Hamas’ political and military position in the West Bank and Gaza, including by: (i) diverting charitable donations to support Hamas members and the families of terrorist operatives; and (ii) dispensing social welfare and other charitable services on behalf of Hamas. Among the primary financiers of Union of Good projects are several organizations designated pursuant to E.O. 13224 for providing support to Hamas and other terrorist groups, including the International Palestine Relief and Development Fund (Interpal), Al- Aqsa Foundation, Comite de Bienfaisance et de Secours aux Palestiniens (CBSP), the Association de Secours Palestiniens (ASP) of Switzerland, the Palestinian Association in Austria (PVOE), and the Sanabil Association for Relief and Development in Lebanon. The Union of Good facilitates the transfer of tens of millions of dollars a year to Hamas- managed associations in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Funds raised by the Union of Good affiliates have been transferred to Hamas-managed organizations in the West Bank and Gaza. In addition to providing cover for Hamas financial transfers, some of the funds transferred by the Union of Good have compensated Hamas terrorists by providing payments to the families of suicide bombers. One of them, the Al-Salah Society, previously identified as a key support node for Hamas, was designated in August 2007 under E.O. 13224. The Society employed a number of members of the Hamas military wing and supported Hamas-affiliated combatants during the first Intifada. The Union of Good’s executive leadership and board of directors includes Hamas leaders, Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs), and other terrorist supporters. The secretary general of the Union of Good, for example, also acts as the vice-chairman of the United Kingdom-based Interpal, which was designated in 2003 for providing financial support to Hamas under the cover of charitable activity. As of mid-2007, this official served on the Hamas executive committee under Hamas leader Khaled Misha’al. Board members of the Union of Good include a West Bank Hamas member, and Abd al a Yemen-based Hamas fundraiser who was designated pursuant to E.O. 13224 in 2004 for providing support to al-Qaida. In 2006, Zindani delivered a fundraising speech at a Hamas conference in Yemen where the crowd pledged millions of riyals for Hamas.Curiously, the Treasury annoucement makes no mention of Youssef Qaradawi who is the head of the Union of Good.
As previous posts have discussed, actions against Union of Good member organizations had already been taken in many countries. The United States designated the Al-Aqsa Foundation and Interpal on May 2003 while Germany and the Netherlands acted to close the Al-Aqsa Foundations branches in those countries. In Denmark, the leaders of Al-Aqsa were charged but later acquitted of terrorism-financing charges. Other European countries such as the U.K., France, and Belgium have never acted against Union of Good members in those countries although the U.K. based Interpal has been the subject of several investigations by local charity regulators. The Union of Good itself has never previously been banned or the subject of any other governmental actions, although it still maintains a website and solicits donations with a server located in the U.S., possibly in violation of U.S. terrorism-financing laws. The U.S. also has never acted against Qaradawi himself despite his support for suicide bombings and his role as the head of the Union of Good.
For numerous posts referencing the Union of Good, click here.
Court Upholds Acquittal of Danish Muslim Brotherhood Charity
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A Danish newspaper is reporting that a Danish court has upheld
the acquittal of two leaders of Al-Aqsa Denmark who had been charged
with supporting Hamas. According to the report:The two men – the organisation’s president and its treasurer – were originally charged in 2002 and acquitted by a Copenhagen municipal court in 2007. The men admit that al-Aqsa sent DKK 500,000 to groups in the Middle East and that it had collected a similar amount that it was preparing to send. But while they contend that the money went to charitable groups, prosecutors claimed that at least two of the groups were a part of Hamas, a Palestinian group listed by both the US and the EU as a terrorist organisation. The six-member panel of judges hearing the case were evenly split on whether the organisations were connected with Hamas. In Danish judicial practice the decision goes to the defendant in cases of tied votes. The panel agreed, however, that al-Aqsa could not be charged with supporting terrorism for sending money to the families of Hamas members.Al-Aqsa Denmark is a member of the Union of Good, the worldwide coalition of charities head by global Muslim Brotherhood leader Youssef Qaradawi that helps to raise funds for Hamas.
Denmark: al-Aqsa acquittal upheld
The two men - the organisation's president and its treasurer - were originally charged in 2002 and acquitted by a Copenhagen municipal court in 2007.
The men admit that al-Aqsa sent DKK 500,000 to groups in the Middle East and that it had collected a similar amount that it was preparing to send.
But while they contend that the money went to charitable groups, prosecutors claimed that at least two of the groups were a part of Hamas, a Palestinian group listed by both the US and the EU as a terrorist organisation.
The six-member panel of judges hearing the case were evenly split on whether the organisations were connected with Hamas. In Danish judicial practice the decision goes to the defendant in cases of tied votes.
The panel agreed, however, that al-Aqsa could not be charged with supporting terrorism for sending money to the families of Hamas members.
ISNA Leaders Featured Speakers At Educational Organization Tied To Global Muslim Brotherhood
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The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) has annouced that
its leaders were featured speakers at the annual dinner of the IQRA’
International Educational Foundation. According to the announcement:ISNA Secretary General, Safaa Zarzour, and former ISNA President, Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi, were featured speakers at the annual dinner of IQRA, the largest and oldest educational organization dedicated to producing curriculum and text books for Islamic full time and weekend schools in the United States. The event brought together over 500 attendants who came out to celebrate IQRA’s 27 years of service to the Muslim community and to Islamic education. Safaa Zarzour highlighted the importance of IQRA as an indispensable institution for our community, ensuring that our schools have the appropriate material and text books in the two most vital subjects, Arabic and Islamic studies. He also spoke about the example of hard work and sacrifice that IQRA founders, Dr. Abidullah and Dr. Tasneema Ghazi, have set for him personally and Muslim educators in the United States in general. Dr. Siddiqi highlighted the role proper Islamic education can play in producing healthy, emotionally balanced, socially responsible, and God-conscious individuals who will be of great benefit to society at large. Audience at the event also learned about the international scope of IQRA’s work in 20 countries around the world as well as their online academy which provides resources for students and teachers world wide.”I am here for two reasons: one because of my tremendous respect and admiration for the selfless and vital work of Dr. Abidullah and Dr. Tasneema Ghazi; and, because of ISNA’s commitment to support those organizations that perform a crucial role in building and strengthening the Muslim community, such as IQRA,” said Safaa Zarzour.The IQRA web site provides a history of the organization:
IQRA’ International Education Foundation is a non-profit Islamic educational establishment (waqf) instituted to creatively respond to the growing need of our children, youth, and adults for sound Islamic instruction in the modern global village. The concept of IQRA’s comprehensive program of Islamic education was set in motion when Abidullah and Tasneema Ghazi helped establish an Islamic Sunday school on the campus of Harvard University in 1968. Searching for instructional material quickly led to the discovery of the woeful state of Islamic education, particularly in the West. It was time for action to be taken. Enjoining the extraordinary combination of a professional educator matched with an Islamic scholar, the Ghazis were entrusted with the task of developing a program of supplementary religious education. With their remarkable fusion of Islamic and Western learning, the Ghazis conceptualized a complete system of Islamic Studies based on a traditional madrasah syllabi structure, utilizing modern educational methodologies. While the Harvard Sunday school proved to be an incubator, the application of this system was realized in classrooms of Islamic supplementary schools in Minneapolis and San Diego where the Ghazi’s later resided. In 1979, Drs. Abidullah and Tasneema Ghazi moved to Chicago where they took on the task of writing Islamic Studies textbooks for the Muslim Community Center, Chicago (MCC). The curriculum for Islamic supplementary schools, as well as nearly 20 titles from the popular Sirah series – including Our Prophet: Muhammad Rasulullah (S), Mercy to Mankind, Messenger of Allah and Stories from the Sirah – were printed by 1981. As an official organization, IQRA’ International Educational Foundation was registered in the State of Illinois as a non-profit organization in 1983 in compliance with IRS section 501-C (3). Since then, IQRA’ has produced a comprehensive, systematic and integrated system of Islamic religious knowledge, involving 150 textbooks, workbooks, teacher’s guides, curriculum manuals and other educational materials. It is a program that is extremely popular in North America and in many English-speaking communities across the world.Iqra founders and current officers Abidullah and Tasneema Ghazi are also associated with the International Board of Educational Research and Resources (IBERR), a little known South African organization linked to the global Muslim Brotherhood. IBERR was founded by Yusuf Islam (formerly Cat Stevens) and says that it distributes Islamic educational material around the world. Although its website has recently been redone and contains very little information about the organization, earlier websites indicated that IBERR members included some prominent names from the global Muslim Brotherhood. In addition to Yusuf Islam, these include:
- Abdalla Idris Ali (Islamic Society of North America)
- Abdul Hamid Abu Sulaiman (International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT)
- Ibrahim Hewitt (INTERPAL, Muslim Council of Britain)
- Fathi Malkawi (IIIT USA)
As documented in a Hudson Institute report, ISNA grew directly out of the U.S. Muslim Brotherhood. The organization has a long history of fundamentalism, anti-semitism, and support for terrorism and during the recent Holy Land Foundation terrorism financing trial, ISNA was named as an unindicted co-conspirator as a result of what the government called “ISNA’s and NAIT’s intimate relationship with the Muslim Brotherhood, the Palestine Committee, and the defendants in this case.” Although it is true that recently ISNA has issued condemnations of terrorism which for the first time identify Hamas and Hezbollah by name, there is no indication that the organization has ever addressed or acknowledged its history of support for terrorism. Also, as the Hudson Institute report observes, almost all of the ISNA founders remain active in the organization and ISNA maintains close relations with all other components of the U.S. Muslim Brotherhood.
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