White House: Islamic Agency Aids Terror

[Rose Siding]

WASHINGTON Oct. 14, 2004 — The Bush administration on Wednesday accused a Sudan-based relief organization and five of its officials of helping finance Osama bin Laden and other terrorists.

The Treasury Department's action means U.S. banks must block any assets found in this country belonging to the Islamic African Relief Agency and the five designated officials. People in the United States are not allowed to provide money to them.

The department said the group, headquartered in Khartoum, Sudan, has more than 40 offices worldwide, including one in Columbia, Mo. The five officials designated by Treasury are all listed as being outside this country.

A message seeking comment was left with the group's office in Missouri.

Treasury alleged that international offices of the Islamic African Relief Agency "provided direct financial support" for bin Laden. It also alleged that the group "engaged in a joint program with an institute controlled by (bin Laden) that was involved in providing assistance to Taliban fighters."

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=164681&CMP=OTC-RSSFeeds0312

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

1. Anyone wanna bet that this is a bullshit excuse

so Bush doesn't have to help the people of Sudan?

[asjr]

2. This administration gets more blatant by the day. Of course

it is an excuse. Shrub doesn't want to help the helpless.

[gottaB]

3. Guides to giving

More on IARA from the Kansas City Star:
A history of help, controversy.

For Muslims in the US it's probably advisable to consider giving to groups that are highly transparent like Islamic Relief Worldwide.

Here are some guides to helping with the crisis in Sudan:

http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm/bay/content.view/catid/38/cpid/218.htm

http://www.networkforgood.org/topics/international/sudan/

http://www.interfaithnews.net/index.php?module=announce&ANN_user_op=view&ANN_id=207

http://www.hrw.org/english/docs/2004/06/24/darfur8954.htm