Dhaka government says at least 11 NGOs fund terrorist groups
The organizations receive money since 2012. The funds come from the Middle East countries - such as Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia - and the UK. Islamist groups have opened schools, madrassas, hospitals and training centers. At least 231 associations bankrolled terrorism, with 500 thousand employees throughout the country.
Dhaka (AsiaNews) - In an effort to curb the spread of radical Islam that led to the massacre of foreigners in the cafes of Dhaka, the Bangladeshi authorities have put under observation 11 non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
They are suspected of having received funds from abroad to finance terrorist groups banned at home. Sources close to the government revealed that the NGOs in question receive the money since 2012, and instead of spending it on development activities to combat poverty - as stated in an official declaration – it was delivered into the hands of Islamic militants.
Among the organizations supervised, there are several well-known names: Muslim Add Bangladesh, Rabatà Al-Alam Al-Islmi, Qater Charitable Society, Islamic Relief Agency, Kuwait Joint Relief Committee, to name a few. Over the years, NGOs have received funding from various Middle Eastern countries - such as Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia - and the United Kingdom.
K M Abuds Salam, the Director General for NGO affairs of, said: "We are monitoring organizations. If we detect their involvement in terrorist activities, we will take serious measures ".
In recent years the country has seen a dangerous Islamic drift, which led to the killing of about 40 people, including Hindu priests, Buddhist monks, Christian pastors, and secular bloggers, Lgbt activists. Most of them were murdered in broad daylight with machetes.
There are about 160 million people in Bangladesh, of which the majority professes the Islamic faith. Radical Islamic groups have founded colleges, schools, madrassas (Islamic schools), run hospitals and training centers.
According to Professor Abul Barakat, at least 231 organizations would receive funds to bankroll terrorism. "Thanks to this money - he says - they full-time employ 500 thousand workers. But the Koran does not preach violent jihad (holy war)".
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27/08/2016 15:57
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