Human Appeal,terrorist finance, and the importance of Australia

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation's Lateline programme reported in September 2003 that it had obtained a FBI report that outlined a close relationship between Human Appeal International of Jordan (HAI) and Hamas. Lateline had also reported that the FBI's findings echod a 1996 CIA document, which alleged Human Appeal International "probably acts as a fundraiser for Hamas".( http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2003/s951368.htm)

HAI has an office in Australia that is the only fund-raising office outside the UAE.( see http://www.humanappeal.org.uk/info/regional_offices.htm) In 2003 there were 5 other offices world-wide but these appear to have been shut. Today, HAI continues to raise funds in Australia for distribution in Gaza , and other parts of the Middle East.

Meanwhile, there is some evidence to suggest that HAI in Australia may not be properly registered as a charity and that it may be diverting its funds towards purposes outside those of its license to operate as a charity. HAI is registered as a charity in the Australian states of Victoria and New South Wales. It operates out of an office in the predominantly Muslim suburb of Lakemba, in the state of New South Wales . It raises funds from the Australian Muslim community via appeals advertised over the net, especially via Muslim community Yahoo! Groups In Victoria it is registered as a company, Human Appeal International Ltd, but in NSW as an unincorporated association-both having the same address and phone number in Lakemba.

Human Appeal International Ltd however has filed papers to have itself de-registered as a company. Despite the official record, Bashar Jamal, HAI’s regional director who is based in Lakemba says that HAI has always operated in Australia as an unincorporated body.

Be that as it may the unincorporated association in NSW is not registered for tax purposes-its registration for Good and Services Tax(GST) exemption having expired in 2002.The records show that the GST exemption was assumed by Human Appeal International Ltd.

While HAI is registered as a charity to provide funds for humanitarian relief, it has instead provided at least part of the funds it has collected for humanitarian relief to sponsor talks and seminars by visiting sheiks and imams, and has even given a written undertaking of financial support for a Muslim community radio station.

Despite the above regulatory issues being brought to the attention of the relevant Australian authorities , HAI continues to finance various activities both overseas and in Australia unhindered. Many of these activities in Australia are financed in conjunction with Muslim Aid Australia (see post below:An Australian source of funds for jihadists in Pakistan and Gaza), and the Muslim Community Co-operative Australia, whose general manager Dr Rahim Ghouse's ties to the SDGT Yassin Al-Kadi are outlined in my paper on this site at the link: http://terrorfinance.typepad.com/the_terror_finance_blog/files/structures_for_the_support_of_muslim_militants_in_south_east_asia_with_particular_regard_to_structures_for_the_financing_of_terrorist_activities1.doc

Comments

[jacobroder]

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Check out the video they have on the page.

Cheers

Jacob Roder