DAR AL HARB - U.S.A. - MICHIGAN: 2 MOSLEM CHARITIES RAIDED IN DEARBORN MICHIGAN - - - FUNNELING $$$ TO IRANIAN BACKED JIHADISTS GROUPS IN M.E.

Agents raid 2 Muslim charities
In Dearborn, U.S. accuses 1 of ties to Iran, terrorism
BY NIRAJ WARIKOO and JENNIFER DIXON
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITERS

Federal agents raided two Shi'ite Muslim charities Tuesday in Dearborn, one of which the government said funneled money raised in the United States to Iran-backed terrorist groups in the Middle East.

The agents hauled away documents and files from charities that raised hundreds of thousands of dollars from metro Detroit Muslims, some of whom were upset by the government's moves and spoke against a rush to judgment.

In a news release, the U.S. Treasury Department said that the Goodwill Charitable Organization is a Hizballah front group that solicits money from Hizballah members who live in the United States. Based in Lebanon, Hizballah has killed more Americans than any other terrorist group besides Al Qaeda, according to the U.S. government.

"We will not allow organizations that support terrorism to raise money in the United States," said Stuart Levey, the Treasury Department's undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence.

The other charity that was raided, Al-Mabarrat Charitable Organization, often holds fund-raisers in metro Detroit and enjoys support from many in the area. Federal officials maintain its founder, Hussein Fadlallah, is the spiritual leader of Hizballah and a terrorist. But the Treasury Department did not designate Al-Mabarrat as a terrorist group, which means it technically can still operate.

According to tax records, Goodwill Charitable received $167,628 in contributions in 2005 and $202,500 in 2004. Al-Mabarrat raised $954,027 in 2004, according to its tax records.
No arrests were made at either office Tuesday.

...



Pertinent Links:

1) Agents raid 2 Muslim charities