PONCA CITY, Okla. -- An Oklahoma doctor said the U.S. Department of Justice was wrong to indict a major Islamic charity Tuesday.
Oklahoma Doctor Speaks Out Against Islamic Group's Indictment
U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft announced Tuesday afternoon that the Holy Land Foundation and seven of its members are charged with providing support to the Palestinian militant group Hamas. The 42-count indictment claims the group provided Hamas -- which is considered by the United States to be a terrorist organization -- with almost $12.5 million since 1995.
However, a Ponca City pediatrician said the foundation was wrongly singled out in the indictment.
Dr. Ahmad Agha is one of 10 board members who direct the Richardson, Texas-based Holy Land Foundation. He said the group's charity money went for relief to refugees, orphans and disaster victims -- including Oklahomans who were helped by the group's blood drive and cash donation after the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing.
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There is a lot of money spent by these groups for charitable purposes. That's why they have such a loyal base to recruit from.