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Islamic Human Rights Commission
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24 September 2003

PRESS RELEASE: Vindication of Interpal – A blow to Islamophobia

Muslims across Britain are relieved one of Britain’s leading Muslim charities, Interpal, was found innocent of assisting Palestinian terrorists, a charge Islamic Human Rights Commission has always claimed stemmed from Islamophobia.

The outcome strikes a blow to Islamophobic elements who launched a witch hunt against Muslim charities and voluntary organisations post-9/11.

The weakness displayed by the Charity Commission in its caving in to American and pro-Israeli pressure concerned IHRC. Despite Interpal’s vindication IHRC believes that a politically motivated witch-hunt is in full swing.

All charities involved with giving money overseas for humanitarian causes, especially to the Palestinians, are in danger of being shut down. As giving charity forms an integral part of the Muslim religious experience, this development is alarming for Muslims across Britain and increases resentment around the world.

IHRC Chairperson, Massoud Shadjareh, said:

“Although we welcome the outcome, it is quite clear that this unjustifiable investigation saw the Charity Commission behave as an agent for pro-Israeli and Islamophobic governments and agencies. The message it has sent to Muslim charities is that they will be scrutinised according to different standards to suit the whims of the pro-Israeli lobby”.

For more information please contact the Press Office on (+44) 20 8904 4222, (+44) 7958 522 196 or email info@ihrc.org.

Islamic Human Rights Commission
PO Box 598
Wembley
HA9 7XH
United Kingdom

Telephone (+44) 20 8904 4222
Fax (+44) 20 8904 5183
Email: info@ihrc.org
Web: www.ihrc.org