Muslim Aid's links to banned terror organisations being probed

London, Apr. 4 (ANI): A widely acclaimed British Muslim charity is being probed by the Charity Commission for allegedly channelling hundreds of thousands of pounds to a banned terrorist organisation.

According to its accounts, the Muslim Aid paid 325,000 pounds to the Islamic University of Gaza, where leading Hamas figures teach, and 13,998 pounds to the al-Ihsan Charitable Society, which is described by the US government as a "sponsor of terrorism" and a front for the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist group.

Security sources said that Muslim Aid has helped channel a further 210,600 pounds to six other Hamas-linked organisations in the Gaza Strip since July 2009.

"We take very seriously allegations of links between charities and terrorist activity, and consider funding of terrorist organisations to be a 'zero tolerance' issue," The Telegraph quoted the Charity Commission, as saying.

"The Commission has opened an investigation into Muslim Aid in light of these allegations and is working with the charity to address the issues raised," it added.

Meanwhile, the Muslim Aid has refused to deny these claims.

The group, banned from the West Bank by the Israeli Government, has been praised by Prince Charles and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown for its "valuable work".

"I wish the Muslim Aid and its passionate and committed staff and supporters the very best for another 25 years of achievement," Brown said in a video address to Muslim Aid's 25th anniversary last month.

The Prince also sent a message saying that "our country is incredibly fortunate to be able to count on organisations like Muslim Aid, who bring not only help, but hope to those most in need". (ANI)