Posted on 08/10/2006 3:04:33 PM PDT by voletti
WASHINGTON: American Muslims are afraid of making cash contributions to Islamic charities for fear that US intelligence and security agencies might haul them up as financial backers of terrorism.
Instead, they have been sending packages of medicines and other goods to leading Islamic charities, assuming that they are contributing to relief efforts in the Middle East. However, it not only burdens the charities, to whom such gifts are sent, with shipping and delivery costs at the US end but once the goods land at the intended place, there are fresh difficulties involving storage, transport and delivery. All charities prefer cash donations but since 9/11, American Muslims are wary of making cash contributions, as many of them had their fingers burnt when government agents came chasing after them following 9/11, subjecting them to intensive questioning.
A report in the Washington Post on Wednesday describes in some detail the dilemma facing Islamic charities and American Muslims who want to contribute to assist Palestinian and Lebanese people. “Obviously, it makes more sense for us to get financial contributions. Obviously, this is the most inefficient way to do humanitarian aid,” Mohammed Alomari, a spokesman for the charity, Life for Relief and Development in Southfield, Michigan, told the newspaper. “The problem, according to relief groups, is that many people who are inclined to write cheques for emergency aid and reconstruction in Lebanon are afraid of ending up in some government database of suspected supporters of terrorism. Arab American leaders say this is one of the unintended consequences of the US government’s crackdown on charities run by Muslims. Though aimed at cutting off illicit funding for terrorist groups, the crackdown has complicated legitimate humanitarian relief efforts in Lebanon, Gaza and the West Bank,” says the report.
Nihad Awad, executive director of the Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), told the Post, “Dozens of people have approached me. They want to help, they want to send money to buy medicine, and they’re afraid of the government reaction to their contribution. Some do it anyway. They can’t sit idly. But they worry that one day they’ll hear a knock on the door.”
James J Zogby, president of a Washington-based advocacy group, said there is “a chill factor” on giving money to charities operating in Arab countries. “In the context of the National Security Agency (NSA) monitoring everything under the sun, people are afraid,” he said, referring to the NSA’s monitoring of international phone calls and e-mails. He added that he has repeatedly urged US officials to publish a list of legitimate charities, to no avail.
Isn't that title an oxymoron?
"American Muslims are afraid of making cash contributions to Islamic charities for fear that US intelligence and security agencies might haul them up as financial backers of terrorism."
I would hope that American Muslims would be afraid of contributing to Islamic charities because the charities are backers of terrorism.
Zogby, Awad and CAIR. Traitors and accessories to murder.
"...are afraid of ending up in some government database of suspected supporters of terrorism. Arab American leaders say this is one of the unintended consequences of the US government’s crackdown on charities run by Muslims."
Actually, I hope it's one of the primary objectives of the crackdown!
Did 9/11 happen or didn't it? Wasn't the government roundly criticized for not being diligent. Look all this snooping stuff just sucks but, we're in a war. Get used to a bit of inconvenience.
By the way Muslims, if you are legitimately donating money to help with the poor etc, you'll be alright. This is America with a legitimate legal system. This isn't the police state 'Muslim country' that you are likely donating to.
Who gives a s__t? Stand up against your friends the Muslim fanatics and maybe, just maybe, you will see a change. Otherwise, take a one way trip back home.
Money for murder is a coward's way of murdering. they know full well their money goes to murder other people's children.
Then give money to the Red Cross, they're at work in Lebanon.
Of course they prefer cash. Cash is fungible, and usually, doesn't spoil in storage.
Let them be very afraid..
I want muslims here to be afraid of everything, so afraid they'll pack up and go to those wonderful countries that they so want to help. That way they can raise their little killers in the traditions they value.
Perhaps the bigoted shiiteheads could consider the American Red Cross, or the Salvation Army, or our Veteran's Hospitals.......etc.....
You know -- some charity that serves their current HOME in America..
Besides, it long overdue that "American" Muslims start fearing and worrying about their actions and how they will be percieved and DISTRUSTED.
F'em
Semper Fi
I wonder why I don't give a flying rat's @$$
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