Al-Qaeda

Al-Qaeda is a Sunni pan-Islamist militant group run by Salafi jihadists who see themselves as the forefront of a worldwide Islamist uprising. Arabs make up the majority of its members, but there are also other ethnic groups. In numerous nations, Al-Qaeda has launched assaults against both military and civilian objectives. Al-Qaeda members think a judeo-christian coalition is planning to wage war on Islam and annihilate it. Numerous attacks against Shias have been carried out in a sectarian manner by Al-Qaeda.
Until his passing in 2022, Egyptian Ayman al-Zawahiri served as the group's leader. Abu Ubaida, who established a military base to prepare young men to battle the Soviet Union, founded Al-Qaeda. Bruce Hoffman, however, believed that as of 2010, Al-Qaeda had a cohesive network that was strongly commanded from the tribal regions of Pakistan. Organizations from Bosnia & Herzegovina, Lebanon, Spain, Morocco, and the Sinai Peninsula are affiliates. The following are ex-affiliates of Al-Qaeda.
From the time Al-Qaeda was founded in 1988 until his death on May 1, 2011, Osama bin Laden presided as its leader. On July 31, 2022, a drone strike in Afghanistan killed Al-Zawahiri. Al-Qaeda still conducts business through unsupervised banks, such as the roughly 1,000 hawaladars in Pakistan. The operational chiefs of the group are regarded as Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri. When attacks are planned, a number of operational groups confer with the leadership.
Blair: Al-Qaeda is a method of operation rather than an organization. Osama bin Laden's bodyguard throughout the four years leading up to 9/11 was Nasser al-Bahri. The word "Al-Qaeda" is essentially an American creation, according to author Adam Curtis. After being found guilty of planning an attack on US military installations, Al-Fadl agreed to testify as part of a plea deal. Unknown is the percentage of the group that has had legitimate military training.
Al-Qaeda was thought to have several thousand commanders implanted in 40 nations in 2006. 10,000 people from a different category, who reside in the West and have had some combat training, were counted among them in 2006. Al-Qaeda has about 20 active cells and 70,000 terrorists in sixty different countries in 2001. The most recent predictions state that by 2018, there will be about 250,000 active-duty soldiers under its command. According to documents, Al-Qaeda used charitable organizations as a conduit for money and supplies.
Adel Batterjee and Wael Hamza Julaidan were notable donors. Among the recipients, Osama bin-name Laden's featured seven times. Several Qataris have been charged with supporting al-Qaeda. Qataris supported Al-Qaeda through the Qatar Charity, the largest non-governmental organization in the nation. The US Treasury imposed sanctions on Kalifa Mohammed Turki Subayi, another native of Qatar, for his work as a "al-Qaeda financier in the Gulf."
The plan outlined in Al Qaeda's Strategy to the Year 2020 is comparable to the seven phases of Al Qaeda's strategy. While the plan is unachievable, Atwan pointed out that it is frightening to realize that it "essentially mirrors the breakdown of the Soviet Union." Due to the waning influence of the regimes in the Arabian Peninsula, Al-Qaeda anticipated a steady expansion of their numbers and geographic reach. It was anticipated that an Islamic Caliphate will be established between 2013 and 2016. Transliterations of the term Al-Qaeda include al-Qaida, al-Qa'ida, and el-Qaida.
Al-Qaeda was given its name after the camps used to train mujahideen to fight the Russians. In a recorded conversation with Al Jazeera, Bin Laden reveals where the phrase came from. The organisation adopted the moniker Qa'idat al-Jihad, which translates to "the base of Jihad," in April 2002. Al-Qaeda was created as a result of the union of organisations that Bin Laden brought under his command after returning to Afghanistan in the mid-1990s, including Egypt's al-Jihad. Many academics claim that Sayyid Qutb, an Islamic writer and philosopher, served as an Al-Qaeda inspiration.
In Milestones, Sayyid Ahmad Shahid Qutb claimed that sharia law need to be more stringent than the current jahili system. The Salafist Jihadist movement, which provided inspiration for Al-Qaeda, was furthered by the Afghan struggle against the pro-Soviet government. Mafouz Azzam was his pupil and he was the patriarch of Ayman al-maternal Zawahiri's family. The long-term goal of Al-Qaeda is to establish a global Islamic state that unites all Muslims. The immediate goals include driving out American forces from the Arabian Peninsula and waging armed jihad to overthrow governments in the area that are supported by the US.
Theory of the Islamic State, p. 2 of Al-Structure Qa'ida's and Bylaws. Islamic State Theory is another option. In the Arab World, Al Qaeda wants to create an Islamic state. Except for what is required to be revealed, secrecy is the primary component of our activity. Elections to pick the leaders of its imagined Islamic states are supported by Al Qaeda.
It rejects legislatures that permit Muslim and non-Muslim legislators to work together to enact laws of their choosing. People affiliated with Wahhabism, Shafi'ism, Malikism, and Hanafism are among Al-followers Qaeda's and supporters. Al-Qaeda offers Islamic justifications for the murder of civilians in virtually every scenario imaginable. Shi'ism is the lone exception to this pan-Islamic doctrine, as Al-Qaeda appears to be adamantly opposed to it. It has openly declared war in Iraq against the US-collaborating Badr Brigades.
In Afghanistan, during the Soviet-Afghan War, Al-Qaeda first emerged. The Afghan war was seen in American eyes as a continuation of the Cold War. As a result, the CIA created Operation Cyclone, which transferred money to the Afghan Mujahideen via Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence. The Saudi government, as well as other Muslims, particularly Saudi businesspeople, funded MAK. The "Afghan Arabs" and foreign mujahideen recruits did not have a significant impact on the battle.
35,000 people are said to have taken part in the Afghan movement overall between 1982 and 1992. Osama bin Laden, Abdullah Azzam, and other Arab volunteers established the network in 1988. Al-Qaeda had a formal existence by August 20, 1988, according to notes. After conducting a "holy" battle, the group intended to expand operations to other parts of the world. From 1992 through 1996, Osama bin Laden and Al-Qaeda had a stronghold in Sudan.
Following Colonel Omar al-Islamist-led Bashir's coup in Sudan, the action was taken. American troops entering Saudi Arabia, according to Bin Laden, is a "Crusader Attack on Islam." Osama bin Laden, the head of Al-Qaeda and the Egyptian Islamic Jihad, was expelled from Sudan in 1995. According to Mansoor Ijaz, Sudan provided the Clinton Administration with multiple chances to capture bin Laden. The 9/11 Commission finds no convincing evidence to support this, and Ambassador Carney had any legal justification for pressuring Sudan to expulse Bin Ladin.
Osama Bin Laden published his "Declaration of Struggle against the Americans Occupying the Land of the Two Holy Mosques" in 1996, in which he formally urged Muslims everywhere to fight American troops. Bin Laden vehemently criticized the Gulf monarchies, particularly the Saudi government, which he said had westernized the nation. Several Brigade 055 men were killed or captured, and those that survived were said to have fled with bin Laden into Pakistan. The Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team of the United Nations indicated that the relationship between the Taliban and Al Qaeda is still robust in a report that was published on May 27, 2020. Bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri issued a fatwa on February 23, 1998, urging Muslims to kill Americans and their allies.
Abu Sayyaf is notorious for a string of tourist kidnappings in Malaysia and the Philippines that resulted in significant ransom payments. Al-Qaeda in Iraq ran a campaign of provocative attacks against prominent religious targets and killings of civilians. Agents of Al-Qaeda worked closely with its Somali branch, which was formed from the al-Shabaab organization, in Somalia. Beginning in 2007, the proportion of strikes coming from the Afghanistan-Pakistan border decreased. Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab's 2009 bombing attempt on Northwest Airlines Flight 253 was blamed on Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.
On March 31, 2011, the AQAP established the Al-Qaeda Emirate in Yemen after taking control of the majority of the Abyan Governorate. Awlaki was the first American to ever be listed as a CIA target. Awlaki served as an inspiration for Faisal Shahzad, who admitted culpability in the 2010 Times Square car bombing attempt. He was referred to be the world's most dangerous man by Investor's Business Daily and Jane Harman, respectively. Upon receiving orders, "a tiny team of Americans" murdered Osama bin Laden.
A gunfight in Abbottabad, Pakistan, resulted in the deaths of Bin Laden and those who were with him. A group of 20 to 25 Navy SEALs assaulted bin Laden's compound, according to US officials.
Following the death of bin Laden, the US State Department issued a "Worldwide caution" for Americans. From an ideological standpoint, Al-Qaeda has benefited from the Syrian Civil War. Many foreign Mujahideen were recruited by organizations like the al-Nusra Front to train and fight in what has evolved into a very sectarian conflict. Al-Qaeda has committed six significant attacks in total, four of which were part of their crusade against the United States. Al-Zawahiri declared in September 2014 that Al-Qaeda was creating a front in India.
Al-Qaida in the Indian Subcontinent was the name given to the new wing. In 1991, bin Laden sent orders to an Islamic convert from Portugal to kill the former king of Afghanistan in Italy. An Australian tourist and a Yemeni hotel employee were killed in 1992 hotel bombings carried out by Al-Qaeda in Yemen. A scheme to kill Americans was personally organized by Bin Laden in 1998. Bill Clinton is the president.
Abu Zubaydah and Abu Qatada were the architects of Al-strikes Qaeda's that were timed to occur around the new millennium. 2,996 individuals died as a result of Al-strikes Qaeda's on America on September 11. After September 11, 2001, bin Laden sent out messages in which he both praised and justified the attacks. Despite having planned an attack for the morning, when the majority of the intended targets were present, he claimed that his group was going after "America's emblems of military and economic might". Al-Qaeda has suffered a significant operational blow by the beginning of 2002.
A videotape depicting bin Laden conversing with associates was made public by the US State Department. Bin Laden appeared to take responsibility for the attacks on American buildings in October 2004. Al-participation Qaeda's in Africa has included bombing raids in the continent's north while aiding factions fighting in Eritrea and Somalia. Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb-affiliated islamist rebels have escalated their attacks in the Sahara. In 2013, the Ansar al-Dine faction in Mali allied with AQIM.
Al-military Qaeda's arm was looking for recruits before September 11, 2001, in the west. Islamists bombed a number of locations in Istanbul in 2003, killing fifty-seven people. Three Londoners were found guilty in 2009 of planning to blow up bombs disguised as soft drinks on seven aircraft heading to Canada and the US. Zarqawi's organization claimed responsibility for between 30% and 42% of all suicide bombs that occurred in the early years. Harkat-ul-Mujahideen, a militant organization from Kashmir, had joined the Al-Qaeda alliance by 2001.
Al-Qaeda and its affiliates are thriving in Kashmir, which is managed by Pakistan, with Inter-Services Intelligence's implicit approval. To find bin Laden, a specialized Delta Force and Special Air Service unit was launched into Indian-Administered Kashmir. For Kashmiri militants battling NATO in support of Al-Qaeda, Waziristan has become a battleground. The hijacking of an Indian airliner by Maulana Masood Azhar was viewed as a "dress rehearsal" for the September 11 attacks. The militant Kashmiri organization Lashkar-e-Taiba, which is suspected of being responsible for the 2008 Mumbai attacks, is well recognized for its close ties to Al-Qaeda.
In a climate of enhanced worldwide vigilance, Al-Qaeda and its offshoots have moved online to avoid discovery. The sophistication of how groups use the Internet has increased, and now includes things like funding, recruiting, networking, mobilizing, publicity, and information dissemination, collection, and sharing. It is thought that Al-Qaeda is running a covert aviation network that includes "a number of Boeing 727 aircraft," turboprops, and executive jets. aircraft that fly contraband and weapons from South America to West African nations with fragile governments. Profits from the selling of drugs, weapons, and hostages can be used to finance further aggressive acts.
The original computer file for Al-Qaeda contained the names of thousands of mujahideen who had received CIA assistance in their recruitment and training. Several intelligence services, including the C.I., developed the plan to defend the Afghans from Soviet military invasion. A. and ISI, or Inter-Services Intelligence. Engineer Machmud, the Hezb-i-Islami commander, and Bin Laden had only sporadic connections.
However, some US money was given to bin Laden's Office of Services, which was established to recruit foreigners for the war. The goal of Anders Behring Breivik was to establish Al-Qaida in Europe.
During the First Fitna, the Kharijites separated from both Shi'a and Sunnis. They gained notoriety in particular for their radical treatment of takfir. There has been a "wave of revulsion" against Al-Qaeda from "religious experts, former fighters, and militants." The Global Islamic Media Front's (LIFG) support for Al-Qaeda has changed. LIFG completed a 417-page religious text named "Corrective Studies" that serves as a new "code" for jihad.
Al-Shabab has been charged with internal corruption and favoritism by former members. It is inappropriate for a state to pledge loyalty to an organization, according to Abu Muhammad al-Adnani. In addition to lobbying the Pakistani Parliament, Bin Laden supported the coup attempt in Afghanistan in 1990. He criticized Saudi Arabia's reliance on American military aid. They made an effort to suppress Bin Laden when he criticized the Saudi kingdom.
The FBI uncovered a ton of evidence of terrorist plots, including schemes tremendous blow up skyscrapers in New York City. After constantly challenging the Saudi government's partnership with the US, bin Laden was banished from Saudi Arabia. The same bulldozers that Bin Laden used to clear mountain trails in Afghanistan were also used to build highways. He was well-liked by Sudanese citizens and kind to the underprivileged. Even after they had ejected bin Laden, US officials declined to meet with Sudanese officials who wished to communicate with them.
"Declaration of War against the Americans Occupying the Land of the Two Holy Places" was the name of a fatwa that was published in August 1996. The US forces stationed in Saudi Arabia as part of Operation Southern Watch to regulate airspace in Iraq were mentioned in the fatw. Osama Bin Laden, the man who founded Al-Qaeda, criticized American support for Saudi Arabia and Israel as well as sanctions against Iraq in a religious fatwa. Bin Laden and al-Qaeda established Mujahideen training centers in Afghanistan using funds obtained from sponsors during the Soviet jihad. Ariana Afghan Airlines, which transported Islamic extremists, weapons, money, and opium through the United Arab Emirates and Pakistan, was virtually taken over by Bin Laden.
After the bombing of the Gold Mihor Hotel in Aden, Al-Qaeda allegedly formed its justification for the slaughter of innocent people. Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri jointly signed a fatwa in February 1998 that deemed the murder of North Americans and their allies to be a "individual duty for every Muslim." The bombings of the US embassy in 1998 were a string of incidents that took place on August 7. A former employee of the US State Department called Bosnia and Herzegovina a refuge for terrorists. Numerous volunteers joined El Moujahed, an all-Mujahedeen organization, in 1992.
Middle Eastern intelligence reports claim that bin Laden funded tiny recruit convoys. Other former Mujahideen connected to the same Algerian group or to other suspected terrorist groups were discovered when the Bosnian government searched passport and residency data. Hamid Aich and Khalil al-Deek, two Bosnian-born males, worked for an organization connected to Osama bin Laden.
He was supported by Islamic leaders in Western Europe who organized the mujahideen fighters. They were detained in Albania and then extradited to Egypt in 1998 as a result of the explosions at the US embassy. The task of locating, assassinating, or capturing bin Laden was assigned to the CIA's Special Activities Division. At first, Bin Laden denied being involved in the assaults. Bin Laden and Khaled al-Harbi were shown discussing the attack in a videotape that was found by American forces in Jalalabad.
In March 1998, Libya issued the initial Interpol arrest warrant for bin Laden. At the time of his demise, the Libyan government was still looking for Bin Laden. On the basis that non-Muslim tribunals lacked the authority to try Muslims, the Taliban decided against extraditing Bin Laden. Osama bin Laden was one of the top 22 FBI Most Wanted Terrorists on October 10, 2001. The only fugitive to ever appear on both FBI fugitive listings is Bin Laden.
After bin Laden's death in May 2011, the United States dismissed all criminal accusations against him. In order to arrest bin Laden in Afghanistan in 1999, the CIA trained a group of 60 Pakistani commandos. The Pakistani coup d'état in 1999 foiled the plan. In the White Mountains of Afghanistan, close to the Pakistani border, bin Laden is thought to be hiding. Between August 14 and August 16, 2007, US and Afghan forces conducted raids on mountain caves in Tora Bora.
The Bush administration's approach against bin Laden was rejected by President Obama in favor of a stealthy, laser-like concentration on al-Qaeda. Obama issued a secret order in April 2011 to kill or apprehend bin Laden. The mission, which was carried out successfully by SEAL Team Six, resulted in bin Laden's death in his Pakistani stronghold. Pakistan was frequently mentioned as his alleged hiding place after military offensives in Afghanistan failed to find him. Three compounds in Parachinar were identified in 2009 by a geographical analysis using satellite data as possible hiding places.
According to Robert Gates, Secretary of Defense, the United States hasn't had recent, accurate intelligence regarding bin Laden's whereabouts. US Army General Stanley A. McChrystal underlined the significance of finding or eliminating bin Laden on December 9, 2009. Followings who had construed al-tatarrus to support the murder of Muslim civilians were reprimanded by Bin Laden. He requested that a subordinate create a jihadist code of conduct to regulate military operations. He drew attention to the severe poverty brought on by ongoing conflict in Somalia.
He gave his followers the directive to concentrate on persuasion and education. On May 2, 2011, a U.S. military special operations unit assassinated Bin Laden in Abbottabad, Pakistan. Pakistan revealed plans to erect an entertainment park in Abbottabad in February 2013, incorporating the location of bin Laden's former refuge. Imran Khan, the prime minister of Pakistan, stated in 2019 that Pakistani intelligence helped the CIA find Osama bin Laden. Officials from the US and Pakistan have refuted both claims.
Pakistan's ambassador to the US has pledged to conduct a "full inquiry" into the reasons why intelligence agencies were unable to locate bin Laden. Asif Ali Zardari, the president of Pakistan, disputed that his nation's security personnel protected Osama bin Laden and referred to any claims to the contrary as merely speculative.
== Criticism ==
Al-Qaeda has been responsible for numerous sectarian attacks against Shias. Al-Qaeda ideologues envision the violent removal of all foreign and secular influences in Muslim countries, which it denounces as corrupt deviations. Following the death of Osama bin Laden in 2011, Al-Qaeda vowed to avenge his killing. Ayman Mohammed Rabie al-Zawahiri (June 19, 1951 – July 31, 2022) was an Egyptian-born terrorist and physician who served as the second emir of al-Qaeda from June 16, 2011, until his death on July 31, 2022.
== Financing Terrorist Activities ==
Sen. Evan Bayh, a Democrat from Illinois, who serves as the subcommittee's chairman, opens the hearing on terrorism financing. According to Bayh, funding terrorist organizations is a crucial part of the fight against terrorism. He claims that there are five main funding sources for Al Qaeda. Hearing on Hawala, an unofficial remittance mechanism used by al Qaeda to transfer funds internationally and fund terrorist activities, was held by the subcommittee. John F. Kerry, the secretary of state, requests an update on the Hawala report, which he claims is still being written.
Seven overseas charities have been flagged by the US as having ties to al Qaeda. Kerry requests a review of expenditures to ensure that aid isn't unintentionally given to terrorists. A hearing will look at how terrorist organizations take use of charities and NGO's. ways to reduce funding to these groups while maintaining humanitarian relief. Kenneth Dam, the deputy secretary of the Treasury, is the Treasury Department's top man in the fight against terrorism's financial infrastructure.
Quintan Wiktorowicz and Dr. Matthew Levitt are more witnesses. Michael Enzi, chair of the committee, said that we must keep looking for ways that terrorists can raise money for their activities. We must ensure that any donations and aid provided by the United States benefit those who need it most, not terrorists. Congress and the administration have taken significant measures to reduce money laundering since September 11th. Over 170 different countries have submitted submissions to the Committee on Terrorism (CTC).
On how these countries might keep enhancing their financial monitoring systems, the committee has offered ideas. The world community must be involved in stopping money laundering through international charities and international NGO's. Dam: U.S. measures on charities are costing terrorist organizations money. People are hesitant to donate money to organizations out of concern that it might fall into the hands of terrorists. Al Haramain's offices in Bosnia and Somalia have been designated by the United States and Saudi Arabia jointly.
Al Haramain Somalia has made it possible for money to be sent to AIAI by hiding cash meant for orphanage initiatives. Through all available means, we are attempting to stop the flow of money to terrorists. The IRS is the main federal agency in charge of monitoring nonprofits. Nearly 800,000 charities are among the more than 1.5 million tax-exempt organizations. The philanthropic assets of those organizations fall under the purview of state attorneys general.
With the exception of churches, synagogues, and mosques, the majority of States maintain regulatory oversight over all groups that solicit funds inside their borders. We are considering how to support Islamic charities in receiving the same kind of accreditation. On his trips to the Persian Gulf and Europe, Secretary O'Neill immediately brought up this matter with his peers. Senator Evan Bayh questioned if the United States should use more tax returns and return information to look into terrorist threats, occurrences, or actions. Our total efforts depend on our capacity to access and gather all pertinent financial data in order to identify terrorist networks and support cells.
Rep. Evan Bayh questions Secretary Hagel about the organization's ability to raise money and conduct operations. A vote on the Defense Appropriations Bill ended the hearing. As soon as his legs will allow, Senator Bayh vows he will return.
Sen. Evan Bayh queries whether the cost of the fight on terror is catching contributors off guard. He asserts that the United States is not against charity endeavors. Do you think they realize how serious this situation is, Kerry? I have no doubt that they are aware of how serious we are about this, Bayh remarked. Are you happy with the degree of assistance we are receiving from other nations as well?
I believe that overall, there has been good collaboration shown toward us. There has been a lot of interest in the traditional charities. Senator Bayh queries why the United States encourages other nations to follow best practices that we ourselves do not follow. Bayh: Striking a balance between presenting proof and protecting sources is difficult. How can organizations prevent needless overlap between organizations like GreenQuest and FinCEN, says Bayh.
When compared to law enforcement and the FBI, intelligence agencies are typically more aggressive and analytical. How can we guarantee that all agencies are communicating with one another and exchanging information? Senator, I don't envy you that task. For the purpose of locating and detaining dangerous prospective terrorists, a global strategy is required. In general, and not just in regards to the fight against terrorism but also in terms of the interaction with the larger Muslim community, I would want to highlight three key characteristics about Islamic charities.
There are tens of thousands of Islamic charities around the world, but only a very small percentage of them are employed for terrorist activity, according to Peter Bergen. Islamic charities, according to Bergen, are not uniform; they are founded by people who are familiar with one another and desire to assist those in need. Islamic nonprofit organizations are frequently established as a historically accurate contrast to the socioeconomic development theories used by the rest of the world. Some of these practice very basic forms of religion. Of course, there are some that are really religious, where people participate in Islamic study groups and collaborate on their studies.
The overwhelming majority of Salafi charities do not fund bin Laden. There is a lot more ideological similarity between these kinds of charity and others in terms of scarce resources. Despite knowing the difference, most Middle Eastern countries tend to ignore what is going on.
Islamic charities frequently support middle class causes since they are founded on networks of that class. Given that these are supposedly part of a larger religious cause, there is shockingly little cooperation. Contrary to popular belief, these organizations are not as frequently visited by the lower socioeconomic or educational echelons of society who are more likely to sign up. According to Matthew Levitt, the vast majority of Islamic charities are not associated with terrorism. According to him, terrorists frequently visit Islamic charity in their own neighborhoods.
However, Levitt continues, these organizations are constrained in terms of their funding and outreach initiatives. When pursuing the full breadth of a terrorist incident, investigators' first and most tangible clues come from financial transactions. Within the larger framework of a network of terrorist financing, the phenomena of philanthropic and humanitarian groups funding terrorism takes place. To have any hope of successfully preventing terrorist action, the fight against terrorist financing must be comprehensive. Increasingly, humanitarian efforts and humanitarian organizations are utilized to raise money for terrorist organizations.
Holy Land Foundation identified as a cover for Hamas, Global Relief Foundation offices in Chicago. follows raids on the foreign terrorist organizations Kach and Kahane Chai, both of which the United States has declared as such. In order to give money to Hamas, Holy Land Foundation primarily relied on regional "zakat" or charitable organizations in the West Bank and Gaza. Al Wafa Humanitarian Organization is a significant Saudi organization that has been connected to funding terrorism. Al Wafa is cited as a crucial part of bin Laden's network.
Through philanthropic and humanitarian groups, terrorists finance their operations. It can be challenging to distinguish between trustworthy and dishonest nonprofits. However, there are actions that can be taken. Collaboration across borders is essential. A well-coordinated effort must include targeting a wide range of groups and organizations.
U.S. Three months later, the Secretary of the Treasury came back and agreed to bring up concerns about particular humanitarian organizations in private. According to a Saudi source who was reported in the media, a Saudi body established to combat charities funding terrorism is ineffective because "it doesn't want to identify top people giving to charity." The goal of American Near East Refugee Aid (ANERA), whose president is Peter Gubser, Ph. D., is to alleviate suffering and combat poverty in the Middle East. Over $12 million was given by ANERA to projects in Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, and the Palestinian Territories during the previous fiscal year.
The guiding principle of ANERA is to only offer support to capable and genuine institutions. This also implies that we do not support organizations that support terrorism. I'd like to request permission from the Subcommittee to submit a prepared InterAction statement as a member of its board. With 160 members, InterAction is the largest coalition of nongovernmental groups working on international development and humanitarian issues in the United States. More than $3 billion is given annually to members by private contributors.
Members follow set protocols to stop theft, embezzlement, and other attempts to divert money or supplies. Senator Evan Bayh: I will only ask a few questions and make an effort to keep them brief. Is it reasonable to assume that it is a large amount? It is the most crucial, Mr. Levitt. The most crucial, according to Senator Bayh.
Donors who support Hamas and other organizations also support organizations that assist Palestinians. How can these types of activity be distinguished from one another? I believe it to be quite challenging, particularly when it comes to terrorism. Hamas and Islamic Jihad are treated differently, according to Senator Bayh. There is no shortage of Islamic thinkers who have condemned suicide bombings, even those in Saudi Arabia.
A public diplomacy campaign is required, according to Mr. Levitt, to address this issue. Director O'Neill: All you have to do is evaluate them based on their behavior. Hezbollah will claim there are no wings if you ask them, and Hamas is a good illustration of this. Mr. Levitt: Saudi Arabia has a history of "clearly looking the other way."
Senator Bayh: The royal family is quite linked to many of those funding terrorism. I believe that there is some degree of deception present. You collaborate with some of the same groups that Hezbollah and Hamas do. There are undoubtedly charitable organizations with ties to Hamas or organizations supporting Hamas. How do you make sure that these organizations don't have members that you don't want to support?
What kind of accountability procedures are in place to guarantee that the money you distribute is used in the way you intend? I will contact the State Department if someone asks us to collaborate with a group that we are not aware of. Is it more typical to come across businesses that only play a financial role? Dr. Wiktorowicz says. I don't think there is any difference between us at all.
But he is right when he says that only a few number are needed to cause a great deal of damage. I was merely wondering if a large portion of philanthropic donations actually served to aid less fortunate Muslims or other Americans. In the nation where the charity is located, a large portion of the funds are spent domestically.
Deputy Secretary of the Treasury: The misuse of charities by terrorist organizations is a significant and complicated issue. According to Deputy Secretary Ken W. Hammond, Secretary Paul O'Neill serves as the Administration's main spokesperson on the financial front of the fight against terrorism. At 5:15 o'clock, the hearing was ended. ET. The primary objective of the Treasury Department is to stop terrorist attacks by cutting off their financial operations.
More than $112 million in assets tied to terrorism have been frozen by the United States and other nations since September 11. Since March 2002, two charity branches have been jointly designated by the US and Saudi Arabia. Three lists of terrorists and terrorist organizations that should be avoided were released by the European Union. U.S. Treasury still exercises substantial leadership within the FATF, a group of 31 nations committed to combating money laundering.
The efforts of Operation GreenQuest resulted in 38 arrests, 26 indictments, and the domestic seizure of almost $6.8 million. He claims that as a result of our activities, Al Qaeda and other terrorist groups are financially harmed. Agents from GreenQuest, the FBI, and other government organizations have been abroad to pursue leads. Even though it might not be measurable, the deterrence impact is a crucial outcome of our work. The so-called charity Afghan Support Committee (ASC) was handed over to members of al Qaeda.
In order to finance terrorism, the Revival of Islamic Heritage Society (RIHS) misled benefactors. A charity with headquarters in Saudi Arabia called Al Haramain has offices around the world. We gathered information prior to designation that showed connections between the branch offices in Bosnia and Somalia. Al Haramain Somalia has offered a way to divert monies meant for orphanage initiatives or the building of Islamic schools and mosques to AIAI. Al Haramain was facilitating members' travel to Saudi Arabia as of late December 2001.
The United States and Saudi Arabia exposed these operations through their coordinated action. Members of the committee are aiming to make charities as transparent as is reasonably possible. Over 1.5 million organizations are tax-exempt, including nearly 800,000 charities and 350,000 organizations with a religious affiliation. Under the USA PATRIOT Act, the Global Relief Foundation and the Benevolence International Foundation have had their assets frozen. Information regarding a charity's operations encourages donor, media, and other parties' supervision.
According to state law, these organizations' charity assets are under the jurisdiction of state attorneys general. NASCO has pushed for uniformity among the States' registration requirements. The Better Business Bureau and the Philanthropic Research Institute are two further groups that support transparency. The Give.org website, run by the Secretary of the Treasury, compiles and disseminates data about hundreds of nationally soliciting nonprofit organizations' finances, governance, fundraising methods, and programmatic operations. On his trips to the Persian Gulf and Europe, Secretary Paul O'Neill immediately brought up this matter with his peers.
According to reports in the foreign press, various nations are improving their laws governing charity donations. To ensure proper governance and transparency of philanthropic organizations, there is no one right way to go about it. In order to ensure openness and the strict application of laws, the U.S. is leading the FATF in the development of best practices. 1 August 2002 If you or any other members of the committee have any queries about how terrorist groups take advantage of charity, please don't hesitate to ask.
As soon as we decide what has to change for our efforts to be as successful as possible, we look forward to working with you. Islamic charities have raised funds for issues that the U.S. is currently facing. Governmental directives. Many Muslims see Hezbollah and Hamas as national liberation forces rather than terrorist groups. Few Islamic organizations openly solicit funds for organizations like al Qaeda.
The phrase "Islamic" is used to denote virtues like honesty, social fairness, and righteousness. A humanitarian organization's organizers and sponsors stand to gain from using the term "Islamic" to characterize it in a number of ways. Because the institution is Islamic, potential contributors and beneficiaries expect that it will treat them honestly, refrain from corruption, and offer efficient relief for social, economic, or medical hardship. Islamic charities flourish in such a setting, in contrast to western nongovernmental organizations (NGO's), which are frequently perceived as being a part of a western project of neocolonialism. Many of the founders and volunteers at these groups are merely motivated by a basic concern for helping others and charitable giving. They are not always orthodox religious Muslims.
Islamic charities exhibit a great deal of variation, which should be taken into account when looking into potential connections between charitable giving and terrorism. When I visited Islamic organizations, the staff members were engrossed in religious studies while wearing blue jeans and T-shirts, without the customary Islamic beard, and playing ping-pong.
The traditional defense asserts that charities can serve as tools for violence, recruiting, and fundraising. This is improbable for a number of reasons. Established Islamic charities are subject to strict state regulation. Smaller nations like Jordan have effective and tight oversight, which reduces the likelihood of radicals starting an Islamic charity. The majority of boards are democratically elected, however elections are plagued by incredibly low voter turnout.
An Islamic charity may need to rely on well-connected individuals with connections in the bureaucracy and government to get around this inefficiency. It goes without saying that government connections to Islamic charities present a barrier for radicals looking to increase their influence. Islamic charities are more prone to compete with one another than to work together due to a lack of resources. They are worried about enlisting support from the neighborhood and attracting beneficiaries and donors. Cooperation at the organizational level is uncommon for Islamic charities that are not affiliated with an Islamic movement.
Middle-class professionals demand better social services for society, access to work, and an end to corruption. Some people would become instantly unemployed if the system were overthrown. Usually, radicalism isn't in their best interests. There should be no generalizations made about Islamic charities in the fight against terrorism. The events of September 11 brought to light the crucial role that networks of financial and logistical assistance play in the activities of global terrorist organizations.
Some of the early evidence supporting the coordinated hijackings of September 11 came from financial research. The terrorists' attempt to recover the deposit fee from the rental truck that was used to transport the bomb led to a crucial case break. When pursuing the full breadth of a terrorist incident, investigators' first and most tangible clues come from financial transactions. All states have a duty to safeguard their citizens as their top priority, and in order to do so, they must use all available preventive, deterrent, and protective counterterrorism measures. Terrorist organizations don't typically open bank accounts in their own names.
A well-known businessman from Jedda named Yasin al Qadi has backed numerous terrorist organizations. According to American officials, al Qaeda uses the Muwafaq Foundation as a front. Al Qaeda members obtained income through legal work and companies in order to finance their own lives and terrorist activities. The financing of terrorism has also involved global banking networks. In 2001, the Treasury Department placed asset freezes on 62 entities and people connected to the al Barakat and al Taqwa networks.
The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Columbia (FARC) and Al Qaeda both collected millions of dollars through the drug trade. Smuggling, kidnapping, and extortion are other well-known tactics used by different terrorist organizations. Particularly troubling is the involvement that humanitarian organizations have played in the funding of terrorism. The use of charities and other nonprofit organizations to intentionally and knowingly raise money for terrorist organizations is growing. Any money can be diverted if you don't pay attention to it, according to Ambassador Francis X. Taylor.
Last year, Global Relief raised more than $5 million in the US; authorities believe the organization was an al Qaeda front. The terrorist organization al Qaeda was highlighted by September 11. Other organizations have been utilized by terrorist organisations to fund their operations. A community center run by adherents of Rabbis Meir and Benjamin Kahane was searched by the FBI in 2001. The Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development was shown to be a Hamas front.
In order to give money to Hamas, the HLF largely relied on regional zakat (charity) committees in the West Bank and Gaza. Al Wafa Humanitarian Organization is a significant Saudi organization implicated in sponsoring terrorism. In Northern Virginia in March 2002, a number of Saudi organizations' American headquarters were searched. Suspects of funding HAMAS and PIJ, respectively, include SAAR and IIIT. In the United States in 1998, Mercy International Relief Organization played major roles.
bombs in embassy. An al Qaeda member identified a number of charities as fronts for the terrorist organization during the New York trial of four men convicted of taking part in the Embassy bombings. Following the explosions at the embassies, Kenya outlawed the International Islamic Relief Organization (IIRO). Based on an Interpol warrant, Canadian authorities captured Mahmoud Jaballah in 2001. According to documents, IIRO sent at least $280,000 to organizations affiliated with Hamas and the Tulkarm zakat committee.
IIRO is a member of the Muslim World League, which the Saudi government finances and supports. The U.S. government lists a senior League official in Pakistan. The Treasury's list of financial sanctions against terrorists. A task group from the Treasury Department conducted a raid on the IIRO offices in Northern Virginia in March 2002. Al Rashid Trust, a Pakistan-based organization that American officials claim altered its name to the Aid Organization of the Ulema, has been aggressively raising money for the Taliban since 1999.
Al Rashid was actively involved in the kidnapping and murder of Daniel Pearl on January 23, 2002. Currently detained at Camp X-Ray at Guantanamo Bay are six Algerians who planned to attack the United States. Embassy of S. in Sarajevo One cell member had telephone conversations with Abu Zubayda and Osama bin Laden. Authorities are still looking for $41 million of the missing operating cash belonging to the commission.
John Avlon: Terrorists use nonprofit and humanitarian groups to finance their operations. Avlonne: It's not impossible to stop the flow of money going to terrorists, but it might also be challenging to stop. He claims that Holy Land Foundation mistreated the philanthropic Muslim Americans who looked to them for help. The United States has recognized 191 people, groups, and financial backers of terrorism as SDTGs from all over the world. More than $70 million in assets have been banned through blocking orders that are currently in effect in 150 countries and jurisdictions.
It is getting harder and harder for terrorist agents to elude the global dragnet that is after them. Saudi officials at the very least have a well-established habit of turning a blind eye when money is known to be used to promote extremist causes. According to a Saudi official who was mentioned, a group established to combat charities funding terrorism is ineffective because "it doesn't want to identify top people giving to charity." The European Union expanded its list of "persons, groups, and entities implicated in terrorist acts" by seven additional people and eleven new organizations. U.S. officials bemoan the fact that few names from its European partners have been added to the list of alleged terrorist financiers who are the subject of financial freezing orders.
The largest coalition of nongovernmental organizations working on global development and humanitarian issues is called InterAction. We fight against poverty, exclusion, and misery with more than 160 members operating in all developing nations. Eliminating terrorist finance will only be successful by destroying the networks that sustain terrorist organizations. The financial, operational, and ethical standards for InterAction and its member agencies are outlined in the PVO Standards. The commitment of members to transparency in their operations and donor responsibility is rooted in standards.
Since they have a fiduciary duty to protect the money they receive, InterAction members have long-standing policies in place to stop theft. Good security standards for local employees of InterAction members working overseas were investigated by InterAction. Disaster relief NGOs are required to stay impartial in hostile environments. Most adhere to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies' Code of Conduct. The relationship between charities and NGO's is a very crucial problem for the entire Nation, according to the chairman of the subcommittee on charity and international terrorism.
Foreign affairs in the Middle East and civil rights are the two main topics on the committee's agenda. Chairman: Because terrorism is a global problem, a global strategy and solution are needed. Terrorism is a global phenomena, and it must be addressed in global terms, he added. "The subject cannot be arbitrarily reduced to the IRA, the PLO, HAMAS, Hezbollah, PKK, the Shining Path, FARC, or the Basque ETA," he said. Due to allegations that it supported al Razi hospital in Jenin and some of the orphans and families of suicide bombers, the Holy Land Foundation was added to the terrorist list. Why, when it comes to Islamic organizations, is it acceptable for USAID to help these same individuals who are seen as untouchable terrorists?
In the Arab and Muslim worlds, a sizable portion of NGOs and charities have political or religious affiliations. As a result, it might be nearly hard in some nations to distinguish between charity and politics or religion. Some of these NGOs and charities are now more effective at addressing societal issues than their respective governments.