Free Republic

Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's dogged determination not to give up on Somalia despite years of conflict, warlordism, piracy and Islamist insurgency has finally paid off. The peace activist and educational campaigner remained in Somalia throughout the 21-year civil war, unlike many other Somali intellectuals. … Described as a moderate Islamist, Mr. Mohamud is also said to have been close to the Union of Islamist Courts (UIC). … He also has links with al-Islah, the Somali branch of the Muslim brotherhood, which was vital in rebuilding the education system in the wake of the clan conflicts. …

July 14, 2005 JS-2632 Treasury Designates MIRA for Support to Al Qaida ******In 2003, MIRA and Faqih received approximately $1 million in funding through Abdulrahman Alamoudi. According to information available to the U.S. Government, the September 2003 arrest of Alamoudi was a severe blow to al Qaida, as Alamoudi had a close relationship with al Qaida and had raised money for al Qaida in the United States. In a 2004 plea agreement, Alamoudi admitted to his role in an assassination plot targeting the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia and is currently serving a 23 year sentence.******