Humanitarian aid or a funding pipeline for Hamas? The British charity entangled with the FBI
The British Department for Education is investigating four schools operated by a Muslim charity after an individual identified with the organization was charged in the US with transferring funds to Hamas. The organization claims the suspect had no connection to the schools.
The British Department for Education has launched an investigation into a Muslim charity that operates several schools across the kingdom, after an individual identified with the organization was charged by the FBI with financing terrorism and transferring funds to the Hamas organization, reports the New York Times.
The suspect, Muhammad Yusuf Hasna, a Turkish citizen, presented himself on LinkedIn as the global director of the "Al-Khair" charity. His arrest last month in the UK, at the request of US prosecutors, cast a heavy shadow over the organization, which operates educational institutions and raises funds for humanitarian operations around the world. The organization was quick to distance itself from a direct connection, stating that Hasna is not a regular employee, but rather "works for one of our many implementation partners overseas."
The indictment against Hasna, who is currently held in custody in the UK awaiting an extradition hearing, does not directly accuse the charity itself. However, federal prosecutors in New York claim that Hasna coordinated:
"Extensively with high-ranking Hamas officials to raise funds, as well as to purchase and transfer goods and materials to Gaza."
According to the charges, he transferred funds and goods to Hamas leaders, acted under their direction, and even "falsified photos and documents to hide from donors the fact that Hamas was the true beneficiary."
Following the arrest, the British Department for Education demanded to receive information on four Islamic schools operated by the organization, three of them in London and one in the Birmingham area. This investigation joins an official review by the UK Charity Commission, which is examining the nature and extent of the organization's ties to Hasna. On behalf of "Al-Khair," it was stated that they are cooperating fully with the authorities, and emphasized that Hasna "had no involvement or connection with these schools."
According to the report, the organization's entanglement reflects the complex and explosive reality of transferring aid funds to the Gaza Strip. The move comes against the backdrop of a growing willingness by the Donald Trump administration in the US to link the activity of charities to Hamas financing and to prosecute those involved.
Last month, the organization "UK Lawyers for Israel" called on the British Home Office to investigate the activities of "Al-Khair," claiming there are "reasonable grounds to suspect" ties to the terrorist organization. The charity insists, on the other hand, that they condemn all violence and terrorism, and claim that the educational approach in their schools constitutes a "positive antidote against extremism and isolation."
