Audit reveals ISNA funded militants

The Canadian affiliate of the Islamic Society of North America has come under the scrutiny of Canada Revenue Agency for violating rules governing ISNA’s tax-exempt status by failing to demonstrate that its overseas philanthropy is genuine.  The CRA found that ISNA’s only “evidence” to justify how its money was spent in Kashmir is a doctored photograph.

Hizbul Mujahideen, a terrorist group in Kashmir and the recipient of ISNA’s largesse, has a wide-ranging revenue strategy including zakat and hawala from Pakistan, animal skin smuggling, and counterfeiting.  Its ability to access Western relief money through North American charities suggests an even broader international reach than previously understood.

ISNA’s U.S. affiliate was previously named as an unindicted co-conspirator in the trial against the Holy Land Foundation for funding Hamas.  ISNA-USA claims that it is a legally separate entity from ISNA Canada despite maintaining an ISNA-Canada representative, Dr. Mohamed Bekkari, on its executive council.

Thanks to Gisele for sending in links on the subject including this article from The Star, which serves as yet another example of zakat-financed terrorism:

Star Investigation: Federal audit raises concern that Canadian charity funded terror

Ottawa fears several thousands of dollars went to supporting the Hizbul Mujahideen — a militant group that seeks the secession of Kashmir from India.

By: Jesse McLean Investigative News reporter, Published on Thu Jul 25 2013

Money raised by an Islamic charity created to help Canada’s poor and needy instead went overseas, potentially into the hands of violent militants, a government audit has found.

The federal charity watchdog is now threatening to revoke the charity status of Mississauga’s ISNA (Islamic Society of North America) Development Foundation.

A Canada Revenue Agency audit revealed the foundation shipped more than $280,000 to a Pakistan-based agency, cash the government fears went to supporting the Hizbul Mujahideen — a militant group that seeks the secession of Kashmir from India.

The foundation “facilitated the transfer of resources that may have been used to support the efforts of a political organization . . . and its armed wing,” the CRA said in a letter to the charity outlining its findings, obtained by the Star.

“Canada’s commitment to combating terrorism extends to preventing organizations with ties to terrorism from benefiting from the tax advantages of charitable registration,” the CRA letter said…