The organization is still cleared for contributions, and the raid does not appear to be related to terrorist funding.
The largest Islamic charity based in Michigan* and one of the largest in the US, Life for Relief & Development (EIN 95-4402149 Form 990) was subject to a raid by the IRS and FBI right before the start of the month of Ramadan, according to an article in the Detroit Free Press (by Shabina Khatri).
* Michigan has the highest percentage arab populaton in the US according to the US Census, with nearly the same number of arab residents as New York state.
The reason for the raid has not been disclosed by the IRS or FBI (Detroit News story by Paul Egan and Francis X. Donnelly), but there was speculation that it might be connected to the group's funding of a trip to Baghdad by three Democratic congressmen opposed to the Iraq war.
Contributions to the organization remain legal despite the raid. Nevertheless, the organization is feeling the effects. People are hesitant to give and the organization's computers were seized, hampering operations.
The Detroit Free Press (Niraj Warikoo) also reports that Muslim civil rights organizations have urged the public to continue to support Life for Relief, quoting local chapters of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (EIN 52-1887951 Form 990) and the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (EIN 52-1180441 Form 990).
One Islamic organization that is likely to reap the benefits is the US organization of Islamic Relief (EIN 95-445313 Form 990), based in Burbank, California. With cash donations just under $10 million, very modest for a faith-based charity, Islamic Relief is nevertheless the largest Muslim charity in the US. Life for Relief reports slightly higher contributions overall, but nearly half is in-kind. Islamic Relief is the US affiliate of Islamic Relief UK (Charity #328158 Financial Statement), which reported income of £20 million (about $37 million) in 2004.
A couple of conclusions here:
- On a practical level, it's another reason why organizations need to back up their computers regularly. You just never know anymore when the FBI or IRS might swoop in and take your computers.
- And a perverse paradox may be working here. Life for Relief appears to be a secular-style charity, with a board consisting entirely of doctors. If it had a closer religious affiliation, the IRS and FBI might have been more reluctant to move (though Homeland Security might have taken more of an interest). The unintended consequence of this raid could be to undercut moderate Islamic voices in the US.
Dear sir, your little help can make my life.
I dont know how to ask for help and describe my problems to which i am facing.
Sir, I am from Pakistan. I belong to a very poor and large family. My mother has died and my father is in a very old age, and usually fell ill.I want to serve my father and family and give them the facilities so that they live their life easily. I am the eldest son of my father so all the responsibilities fell on to my shoulders. I recieved my education besides of all the difficulties. I worked for my family along with my education. For some years i have a lot of domestic economic problems. I want to start some small buisness but how I have nothing, to help my family.I cant give them new clothes nor a good food. They have no educational facilities. I cant show a patient to doctor because I cant bear the charges so I am very upset and dont know what to do? now a days nobody is agree to help the poor of this world. Because each hate the poor. in my little salary i made a small home for my family taking loans from others. Now they are demanding for their loan. What i do? I have no idea to solve my difficulties. Because I have no money to give them. and if this situation continue, then I will to buy this small home to give the demanders money.
Sir, I am requesting you for help with the hope that God will guide you for my help. Please for God sake help your poor brother . I and all of my family will pray for you. Allah knows and my witness that I am suffering in a great trouble. Some times i became so upset and worried that I want to finish myself due to this bad situation. Sir, I cant express my story in a well way however, you will understand it easily. I write to you only due to your kind attention to poor so i made some courage to write.
Sometimes, when I look to my family living in a miserable condition , no one can decide my feelings through which I am passing. I know that they are looking towards me that what I am doing for them. But what I do? My little income is not sufficient. I give it to the persons to which I take loans.
Sir, due to the above mentioned facts it is humbly requested that please dont understand it as a joke or a short story from someone but please take an instant action for me.
A poor brother of you will wait for your kind response. Please dont be ignore. I cant give you anything but the Allah will give you reward for your help. I can only pray for you.
Address:
Aziz ur rahman s/o Fazal rahman
mohallah musa khel village and p.o.Baja
Teh; & Distt; Swabi N.W.F.P. Pakistan.
Email: frontieraur@yahoo.com
Posted by: aziz rahman | September 19, 2007 at 02:03 PM