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IIRO USA Office
The International Islamic Relief Organization (IIRO), a Saudi charity whose Indonesian and Philippine offices have been designated by the US. Treasury in connection with the financing of Al Qaeda, has registered a new office in the United States. According to Florida State records, the IIRO (U.S.A.) Inc. was registered as a non-profit Florida corporation in Hialeah, Florida on April 28, 2009. After being required by regulators to provide a street address rather than a PO Box, the office address for IIRO USA appears now to be located in a shopping mall and is likely some kind of mail drop. The Florida records identify the IIRO President as Adnan Khalil Basha who is the long-serving IIRO Secretary-General in Saudi Arabia and the IIRO U.S.A. registration document states that it is “intended, to be the US chapter of the International Islamic Relief Organization.”
IIRO in the U.S. had previously operated out of an office in Falls Church, Virginia by Dr. Sulaiman bin Ali Al-Ali, described by one media report as a “wealthy and influential figure in Saudi Arabia who, as a member of IIRO’s executive committee had solicited donations directly from the Saudi Royal family.” (This report also discusses earlier allegations that Dr. Al-Ali and IIRO in the U.S. had been involved with the financing of terrorism.) IIRO in the U.S. also had ties to the U.S. Muslim Brotherhood. According to U.S. law enforcement documents, a D.C. corporation known as Sana-Bell had been established to generate funds for the operations of a Virginia non-profit corporation known as the International Relief Organization (IRO) which was the U.S. arm of IIRO. Sana-Bell had the same Herndon, Virginia address as the now defunct SAAR Foundation, a network of Islamic organizations funded by a Saudi Arabian banking family and led by the same individuals who founded and now head the International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT), an important part of the US Brotherhood. Yaqub Mirza, the SAAR Treasurer and also close to IIIT, was the Sana-Bell Secretary.
At the time the Sana-Bell was established, Mr. Ali received $10 million from IIRO in Saudi Arabia that was earmarked for dispersal to Sana-Bell that, in turn, was to invest the funds and use the income generated to operate IRO. According to a complaint in a civil lawsuit, during the years 1992 through 1998 Sana-Bell invested $3.7 million with a company known as BMI or one of its affiliates. BMI, short for for Beit ul Mal, or Treasury House, was a Secaucus, N.J., investment firm a headed by Soloman Biheiri, an Egyptian immigrant. Mr. Biheiri, who also served on the advisory board of the American Muslim Council, has been described by U.S. authorities as “the Muslim Brotherhood’s financial toehold in the U.S.” A U.S. Customs agent testified that Mr. Biheiri had close ties to global Muslim Brotherhood leader Youssef Al Qaradawi who had been a guest in Mr. Biheiri’s home. U.S. authorities also stated “BMI made or conducted financial transactions with persons who were or are now Specially Designated Terrorists or Specially Designated Global Terrorists, including Yassin Kadi, Mousa Abu Marzook and Mohammad Salah”, the latter two important Hamas leaders.
In March 2002, a US government task force launched a series of raids in connection with terrorism financing that included many of the SAAR entities as well as the Muslim World League offices which were located at the same address as IIRO US. In 2006, the U.S. Treasury Department designated the Philippine and Indonesian branch offices of the IIRO as well as one of its executives in connection with fundraising for al-Qaeda and al-Qaeda affiliates.
After appearing dormant since the 2002 raids, and its DC corporate registration revoked, the new IIRO presence in the US seems designed to preserve the organization’s ties to the Muslim World League (MWL), the IIRO’s parent organization. The registered agent for IIRO USA, is Malik Sardar Khan who listed a residential address in Miami and who also serves as IIIRO USA Secretary-Treasurer. Also registered at the same address is a Florida non-profit corporation known as MOTAMAR AL-ALAM AL-ISLAMI (Muslim World Congress), headquartered in Karachi, Pakistan and described on its web site as follows:
The World Muslim Congress (Motamar Al- Alam Al-Islami), which enjoys Consultative Status with the UN in New York through the ECOSOC and UNICEF and observe Status with the Jeddah-based Organisation of the Ialamic Conference (OIC), was founded in an assemblage of eminent leaders from the World of Islam held in Makkah in 1926.
Mr. Khan describes himself in his resume as a member of the Muslim World Congress (MWC) since 1978 and Councillor for the U.S. and Main Representative to the United Nations since 1988.
The President of both the MWC world organization and the US branch is Abdullah Omar Naseef who has held many important positions in Saudi Arabia including serving as Vice-President of the Kingdom’s Shura Council, President of King Abdul Aziz University, and most importantly as Secretary-General of the Muslim World League (MWL) from 1983-1993. In addition, the address listed for Dr. Naseef on the MWC web site belongs to the MWL in Mecca. The MWL was established in 1962 as a means for the propagation of Saudi “Wahabbi” Islam. Muslim Brothers played an important role in its founding and, to date, the League has been strongly associated with the Brotherhood. The MWL, together with the World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY), are Saudi organizations believed by US. government officials to have helped to spread Islamic extremism around the world as well as sponsoring terrorism in places such as Bosnia, Israel, and India.
It should also be noted that a directory of non-profit organizations lists Mr. Khan as associated with the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), an important part of the US Muslim Brotherhood whose leaders have also enjoyed close relations with the MWL.
For a chart of the relationship between the above entities, click here.
(Additional Source: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA-v- SOLIMAN S. BIHEIRI Case No. 03-365-A DECLARATION IN SUPPORT OF PRE-TRIAL DETENTION)
GlobalMB @ March 14, 2010
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German media has reported on the controversy surrounding the German government decision to ban the Council of Islam (Islamrat) from the German-Islam Conference on the grounds that the Council, dominated by the Turkish-based Milli Gorus movement, is under investigation for money laundering. According to the report:
The hopes of the German-Islam Conference were high when it was founded four years ago. But the Interior Ministry’s exclusion of one German Muslim group has put the attendance of three of the group’s partners in doubt. Germany’s four largest Muslim associations debated a potential boycott of the German-Islam Conference in Cologne on Friday after the Interior Ministry excluded one of the groups from attendance. The four groups were unable to reach a collective decision after nearly eight hours of discussion…..The four groups were the Council of Islam; the Central Council of Muslims; Ditib, which constructs mosques for the Turkish Religious Affairs Ministry; and the Union of Islamic Cultural Centers. The groups represent only five of the 30 members of the German-Islam Conference, with the remaining seats reserved for individual Muslims of various backgrounds and federal, state and local community representatives. The meeting of the four groups came after German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere excluded the Council of Islam from the conference. The group is dominated by the fundamentalist Turkish-based Milli Gorus movement, which has been the subject of a federal criminal investigation. The Interior Ministry claimed the investigation, which involves money laundering and fraudulent misuse of donations, would overshadow the goals of the conference. De Maiziere told German daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung the removal of the Council of Islam had “nothing to do with the other organizations,” and that the rest were still “very welcome.” The German government founded the German-Islam Conference in 2006 to provide an official platform to discuss Muslim integration in the country. Specific topics have included poverty, unemployment and the poor academic performance of Muslim children. But critics, Muslim and non-Muslim alike, have questioned the conference’s effectiveness. The months-long proceedings of the conference have suffered from sharp disagreements, including among Muslim participants, and results have been vague. Only 20 percent of Germany’s four million Muslims are actually represented by the four groups that participate, while the vast majority remains unaffiliated with any group. Some Muslim participants have also complained of the conference’s agenda, which has not focused on racism and Islamophobia. De Maiziere told Sueddeutsche Zeitung that these subjects “can certainly find a place.” This year’s conference is scheduled for May 17.
In Germany the Milli Gorus organization is closely tied to the Islamische Gemeinschaft Deutschland (IGD), considered by the German government to be the representative of the Muslim Brotherhood in Germany. Until recently, the IGD was led by Ibrahim El-Zayat who is married to the sister of Mehmet Sabri Erbakan who is in turn the nephew of Necmettin Erbakan, the leader of Turkish Milli Görüs. Mr. El-Zayat is highly active in managing Milli Gorus properties in Germany and in Holland where a mosque project he was involved with has become embroiled in controversy. Mr. El-Zayat is also a leader in many other European Muslim Brotherhood organizations including the Federation of Islamic Organizations in Europe (FIOE), the umbrella group for the Muslim Brotherhood in Europe.
As discussed in an earlier post, the IGD recently elected a new President to replace El-Zayat, likely as a result of an on-going German law enforcement investigation. In this investigation, Mr. El-Zayat is one of a group of individuals tied to the IGD suspected of forming a criminal association and intending to commit a crime by obtaining funds for its “politico-religious and ultimately Islamist goals”, probably in support of Hamas. One of the other defendants in the case is Oguz ÜCÜNCÜ, the General-Secretary of Milli Gorus in Germany and a business partner of Mr. El-Zayat. It is not known if it is this investigation that is referred to in the above report or other known investigations of Milli Gorus leaders in Germany.
GlobalMB @ March 14, 2010
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The National Association of Muslim Police, a U.K Islamic police organization, has announced a conference titled “Challenging Hate” that was scheduled to have been held on Monday. According to an announcement posted on the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) web site:
A vast amount of research has been carried out into the causes and effects of Islamophobia and the impact on the daily lives of the Muslim community. This unfortunately has culminated into crimes being perpetrated against the Muslim Community across the full spectrum of offenses. Muslims are the biggest BME community in UK and Europe. They are also the second biggest faith group in UK, Europe and USA, despite that they are the least represented in both public and private sectors. The Muslim community is now the prime target from fringe groups to mainstream political parties’ members with a real risk of a siege mentality from the community members. It is this area that the conference intends to explore with real cases and scenarios, successful local engagement and solutions and utilising the expertise of all the delegates to explore the main issues for Policing and Community Cohesion.
According to an MCB press release:
The National Association of Muslim Police (NAMP) was launched at British Transport Police HQ in London on Wednesday the 11th of July 2007. NAMP represents Muslim Police Officers and Staff through out the United Kingdom and provides a national voice for existing Associations of Muslim Police organisations…Dr Bari from the Muslim Council of Britain opened the launch and said” Muslims in the police service are essential and provide a valuable service to all sections of the community”
The links to Islamic organizations on the NAMP web site are mainly to organizations with strong ties to the U.K. Muslim Brotherhood including the MCB itself as well as the Federation of Students Islamic Societies (FOSIS) for example.
GlobalMB @ March 11, 2010
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The Federation of Islamic Organizations In Europe (FIOE) has issued a statement warning of the “grave nature of the escalating Israeli aggressions against Islamic holy sites in Palestine.” According to the FIOE statement:
The Federation of Islamic Organisations in Europe warns of the grave nature of the escalating Israeli aggressions against Islamic holy sites in Palestine The Federation of Islamic Organisations in Europe has followed with great alarm the escalating trend in aggressions and violations committed by the Israeli occupation authorities against Islamic holy sites, and the historic features and heritage of civilisation in Palestine, especially in the cities of Al-Quds—Jerusalem, Alkhalil—Hebron, and Bethlehem, which signals seriously dangerous repercussions. It is highly apparent that the Israeli occupation forces have continued to desecrate the spaces and environs of the blessed al-Aqsa Mosque, and perpetrated all forms of inhumane treatment on the Palestinian civilians offering their ritual daily prayers there. In the latest developments, these forces attacked the sacred mosque en masse through all its gates on Friday, 5 March 2010; paying no regard to the sanctity of the site, representing the first direction of prayer for Muslims, and the destination of the miraculous night journey, al-Israa, of the Messenger Muhammad, peace be upon him, and one of the three most important mosques in Islam, alongside the Holy Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah. These developments come only days after the occupation forces viciously attacked the prayer congregation in al-Aqsa Mosque on Sunday, 28 February 2010, in the aftermath of the wide-scale and fierce confrontations by the occupation forces a few days before in the city of al-Khalil—Hebron, site of the noble Ibrahimi Mosque. These horrific developments clearly reflect long-term Israeli official policy aimed at taking control of Islamic holy sites in Palestine; in addition to the pressure on Christian places of worship, and obstructing Palestinian Christian congregations from freely accessing their places of worship, even on days of religious celebration, by the Israeli authorities. What confirms the Israeli government’s inclination towards brute escalation is the latest decision announced by the Israeli government on 21 February 2010, which resolved the addition of the sacred Ibrahimi Mosque in the city of al-Khalil—Hebron, and the Bilal bin Rabah Mosque (called by the Israeli occupation authorities as Rachel’s Tomb) in Bethlehem, both situated in the occupied West Bank, to the list of Israeli historical sites. This step represents an inflammatory violation of religious feelings and a provocation to Muslims everywhere; in addition to its flagrant violation of international law and its rules regarding occupied territories, which is what the Israeli authorities have long done without hesitation…The Federation of Islamic Organisations in Europe as it followed with great alarm the rapid succession of developments, and the horrific violations and provocations, expresses its brotherly solidarity with the unarmed Palestinian people suffering under Israeli military occupation, yet unwilling to abandon sacred sites, cultural heritage, or rightful possessions. The Federation, at the same time, calls on the entire Muslim Ummah to stand up to its responsibilities in protecting its sacred sites, and liberating them from this wicked occupation. The Federation of Islamic Organisations in Europe also calls attention to Europe’s responsibility in reining in Israeli extremism fuelled by a notion of power, and in exposing the continuing crimes and violations committed without let by the Israeli authorities and their military forces. No doubt that neglect in face of these grave practices will only invite the extremist far right Israeli government to go even further in its violation of international law and human rights, and its flagrant disregard for human values, moral standards, and international norms.
A report on FIOE by the NEFA Foundation describes the organization as follows:
The Federation of Islamic Organizations in Europe (FIOE) claims to be an independent organization representing the interests of Muslims in Europe. In reality, the FIOE is an umbrella group that comprises the global Muslim Brotherhood in Europe. Strong links connect FIOE’s leadership central institutions and member organizations to the Brotherhood, as well as to Saudi Arabia. Funding for the FIOE is derived largely from Gulf sources, including some of the ruling families of the United Arab Emirates. The FIOE has strong ties to Hamas and Hamas fund-raising organizations, and some FIOE member organizations show evidence of links with Al-Qaida. The FIOE recently opened a headquarters office in Brussels and has had some success in positioning itself as a “dialog partner” for the EU and other important institutions.
A previous post discussed the call by the Jordanian Muslim Brotherhood for a “third intifada” in response to the same grievances expressed by FIOE.
GlobalMB @ March 11, 2010
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The Forum of European Muslim Youth and Student Organizations (FEMYSO) has taken the opportunity of International Women’s Day 2010 to issue a statement advocating the “the freedom of Muslim women to choose the way they dress.” According to the FEMYSO statement:
On the occasion of International Women’s Day 2010, the Forum of European Muslim Youth and Student Organisations (FEMYSO) celebrates the enormous advances made by women across the world, of all faiths, races, nationalities and backgrounds. Women have made great advances in the field of education, employment, innovation, social rights, political participation and many others. However, many challenges remain. Muslim women in Europe continue to be seen by many as oppressed, downtrodden victims, with little capacity for independent thinking or action. The image of the subjugated Muslim woman is used to justify discrimination and perpetuate prejudice – on the street, in the workplace, political discourse and even in our legislatures. Laws supposedly aimed at liberating Muslim women only succeed in further demonising them and restricting their right to live and participate as equal European citizens. Meanwhile, the voices of Muslim women themselves are curiously absent from these debates – not for any lack of capable Muslim women, but often because of a lack of willingness to listen. Regressive laws proposed in some European countries restricting the freedom of Muslim women to choose the way they dress will only be yet another obstacle to their participation. We believe that it is time to stop talking “about” European Muslim women and talk “to” and “with” them. European Muslim women must be allowed to tell their own story, voice their own opinions and make their own choices. In these current times of widespread ignorance and misunderstanding about the position of women in Islam – both by those within Muslim communities and outside – we wish to highlight and revive an egalitarian spirit of Islam, which emphasises the equal value and dignity of women and men. Indeed, the Muslim world produced a large number of outstanding female scholars and custodians of knowledge as early as the 7th century, on whose work much of the edifice of Islam was built. Indeed, as the Prophet Muhammad said, “Seeking knowledge is mandatory for every Muslim”, both women and men. FEMYSO is working to ensure there is more education and awareness-raising among Muslims themselves to enable European Muslim women to be active and full participants in public, social, economic and political life. We extend out hands to our wider European communities to work together to make this year’s theme “Equal Rights, Equal Participation” more of a reality for all women in Europe.
FEMYSO is the youth/student arm of the Federation of Islamic Organizations in Europe (FIOE), representing the Muslim Brotherhood in Europe. Over the years, FEMYSO has developed a relationship with both the Council of Europe and the European Commission where it has been invited since 2003 to attend meetings of the Group of Policy Advisers (GOPA). One of the important leaders of FEMYSO over the years has been Ibrahim El-Zayat, the leader of the Muslim Brotherhood in Germany and last reported to be under investigation by the German government in connection with the financing of Hamas.
GlobalMB @ March 10, 2010
