Related Resources • Islamic Charities • September 11th Response

From Other Guides • America Attacked • U.S. Becoming a Police State?

Elsewhere on the Web • Holy Land Foundation

Dateline:  December 5, 2001

One of the largest Islamic charitable organizations in the U.S. has been shut down amidst accusations that the group provides support to the Palestinian group Hamas.

The Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development (HLF) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization established in 1989.  Headquartered in Richardson, Texas, the organization has offices in California, Illinois, and New Jersey.  On Tuesday, December 4th, all of these offices were closed and searched by federal officials.

The stated mission of HLF is to "find and implement practical solutions for human suffering through humanitarian programs that impact the lives of the disadvantaged, disinherited, and displaced peoples suffering from man-made and natural disasters."  Their area of focus is with the Palestinian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, and Palestine.  They have also provided support through disasters and wars in Bosnia, Kosova, Turkey, and in the United States (Iowa floods, Texas tornadoes, and the bombing of the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City).

The Bush administration charges that the group's donations are used to support Hamas terrorist activities, terrorists and their families.  CNN reports that "Treasury officials conceded that a 'substantial amount' of the money raised does go to worthy causes..."  The government has not disclosed what, if any, evidence it has of HLF wrongdoing.

The Foundation has repeatedly denied all charges.  Foundation President Shukri Abu Baker previously issued a statement that "the Foundation has never provided funds, services, or any other form of support to Hamas or any other group that advocates, sponsors, or endorses terrorism, terrorist acts, or violence in any form or for any purpose.... The principle officers, staff, donors, and volunteers of the Foundation, like most American citizens, reject terrorism, terrorist acts, and the use of violence in any form to achieve political goals."  In response to this most recent action, HLF issued a statement:  "The decision by the U.S. government to seize the charitable donations of Muslims during the holy month of Ramadan is an affront to millions of Muslim Americans who entrust charities like ours to assist in fulfilling their religious obligations."

The HLF reportedly raised over $13 million in donations in the past year.  During the month of Ramadan, Muslims all over the world give generously in charity, especially towards the end of the holy month.  This action has left many American Muslims worried about their previous contributions, and wondering where the government considers it "safe" for Muslims to spend in charity.

The government action was condemned Wednesday by virtually all major American Islamic organizations.  In a joint statement, several organizations said that "Islamic charities in this country help American Muslims fulfill their religious obligation to help orphans and the needy. The frozen assets therefore belonged not to HLF, but to the entire Muslim community. This action is particularly disturbing, coming as it does during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, a time when Muslims make many of their annual charitable donations."

The Holy Land Foundation has retained legal counsel and plans to appeal the government action in federal court.