Federal Crackdown on Holy Land Charity Surprises American Muslims

DALLAS, Dec. 5, 2001--Muslims across the country said they were surprised by Tuesday's federal crackdown on the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development.

The foundation bills itself as the nation's largest Muslim charity. Its Web site describes needy people it fed and clothed and quotes the Quran: "Oh, if anyone saved a life it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people."

But Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill said Tuesday that "this organization exists to raise money in the United States to promote terror."

Some Muslims said they were dismayed by the accusations but were willing to let the government make its case.

"If they've been politically supporting groups with this money, it's not what it was intended for. If they want to spend it for Hamas they need to change their name and collect it for that purpose," said Riyadh Alsaid, the outreach department coordinator for the Dallas Central Mosque. "I'm sure people here are in shock."

Others said they were suspicious of the motives and timing of Tuesday's raids.

Dr. Jamal Badawi is an Islamic scholar and the head of the Canada-based Islamic Information Foundation. He spends much of his time visiting Muslim communities across North America. The Holy Land Foundation has had a good reputation, and Tuesday's shutdown is not likely to rock that reputation among many people, he said.

"The government has an agenda," he said. "It's not only me who is saying that."

A coalition of national Muslim groups released a joint statement Tuesday afternoon condemning the crackdown as an attack by government officials who failed to provide evidence for their charges.

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