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Muslims angry over probe into religious charity
Before last week, Abu Sayed Mahfuz didn't hesitate to donate to Life for Relief and Development, an international Muslim humanitarian organisation that is active in Iraq and Afghanistan and has partnered with the US government.
- AP
- Published: 00:00 September 26, 2006
Detroit: Before last week, Abu Sayed Mahfuz didn't hesitate to donate to Life for Relief and Development, an international Muslim humanitarian organisation that is active in Iraq and Afghanistan and has partnered with the US government.
But an FBI search of the organisation's Southfield, Michigan headquarters is making Mahfuz think twice about future contributions.
Just as Ramadan, which began on Saturday, has many Muslims thinking about their religious obligation to give alms, the investigation of the prominent Islamic aid group has prompted fears that giving to charity could bring scrutiny from the US government.
FBI agents assigned to a terrorism task force last Monday searched Life's offices, taking computer servers, donor records and other financial documents. They have also searched the homes of the charity's chief executive, an ex-employee and two board members.
Not secure
"After hearing this, I don't feel secure at all," said Mahfuz, a computer consultant and editor of a Bangladeshi community newspaper. He said he would still consider supporting the organisation, but the investigation would force him to weigh that decision carefully.
No charges have been brought in the case, and Life has sought to reassure the community that it is perfectly legal to donate money to the organisation, which was founded in 1992 by Iraqi immigrants.
The search at Life's offices five days before the start of Ramadan prompted anger among Muslim activists in the Detroit area. They questioned the timing and the involvement of the terrorism task force, which they said led media to draw unfair conclusions.
On Wednesday, Arab-American and Muslim leaders vented that anger at a meeting with federal and local law enforcement officials in Dearborn, Michigan as part of a dialogue that began after the September 11 attacks.
Agents 'aware of Ramadan'
Daniel Roberts, special agent in charge of the FBI's Detroit field office, said he could not comment on the case because the matter is sealed.
But he said agents were acutely aware of Ramadan and would have preferred to conduct the search earlier.
"I would just ask that you give the government the benefit of the doubt," he said at the meeting.
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