On 24 July 2008 the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the New South Wales (NSW) police force raided the office of the Muslim Aid Australia (MAA) located in Lakemba, Sydney, home to a majority of Sydney’s Muslim community.[1] During the seven-hour raid of the office on Haldon Street interviews were conducted with MAA staff members; “computer files and financial records” were confiscated.[2] It was on 8 July 2008 that The Australian originally reported the AFP had joined a long list of government organizations investigating the activities of the organization; MAA is registered with the Australian government as a charity and non-profit company.[3]
Though AFP, itself, did not confirm this at the time, it allegedly began conducting the investigation in conjunction with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the NSW Government's Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing. The latter of the two opened an investigation into MAA during the first week of July 2008 after an article released by The Australian reported that the charity worked with Interpal earlier this year to supply Gaza residents with medical aid. The Australian Council for International Development (AFCID), the government’s organization in charge of supervising charities, also launched an investigation last week. This came after the executive director of the charity, Iman Partoredjo, withdrew his previous statement confirming MAA’s ties with Interpal.[4]
The British organization Interpal, defines itself as “‘non-political, non-profits-making British charity that works with international funding and partners on the ground to provide relief and development aid to Palestinians.’”[5]
The Australian, “AFP probes Muslim charity’s Gaza link”, 8 July 2008The Australian, “Charity used ‘terror’ group to distribute aid in Gaza”, 2 July 2008.The Australian, “Muslim charity under investigation cancels Gaza appeal” 26 July 2008.The Australian, “Police raid on Muslim charity” 25 July 2008.Australian Broadcasting Company (ABC), “Funds diverted” 25 June 2003.Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship, “Purpose and Operations of the Immigration Detention Advisory Group”, 2006.DIAC Advisory, “Consultative and Governance Committees”, 5 March 2008.
Notes:[1] The Australian, “Police raid on Muslim charity” 25 July 2008.[2] The Australian, “Police raid on Muslim charity” 25 July 2008 and The Australian, “AFP probes Muslim charity’s Gaza link”, 8 July 2008[3] The Australian, “AFP probes Muslim charity’s Gaza link”, 8 July 2008.[4] Ibid.[5] The Australian, “Charity used ‘terror’ group to distribute aid in Gaza”, 2 July 2008.[6] Ibid.[7] The Australian, “AFP probes Muslim charity’s Gaza link”, 8 July 2008.[8] The Australian, “Charity used ‘terror’ group to distribute aid in Gaza”, 2 July 2008[9] The Australian, “AFP probes Muslim charity’s Gaza link”, 8 July 2008.[10] The Australian, “Charity used ‘terror’ group to distribute aid in Gaza”, 2 July 2008[11] The Australian, “Charity facing ban over Gaza aid”, 3 July 2008.[12] The Australian, “Charity used ‘terror’ group to distribute aid in Gaza”, 2 July 2008.[13] The Australian, “AFP probes Muslim charity’s Gaza link”, 8 July 2008.[14] The Australian, “AFP probes Muslim charity’s Gaza link”, 8 July 2008 and DIAC Advisory, “Consultative and Governance Committees”, 5 March 2008.[15] DIAC Advisory, “Consultative and Governance Committees”, 5 March 2008 and the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship, “Purpose and Operations of the Immigration Detention Advisory Group”, 2006.[16] Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship, “Purpose and Operations of the Immigration Detention Advisory Group”, 2006.[17] The Australian, “Police raid on Muslim charity”, 25 July 2008.[18] The Australian, “Muslim charity under investigation cancels Gaza appeal” 26 July 2008.[19] ABC, “Funds diverted” 25 June 2003.[20] The Australian, “AFP probes Muslim charity’s Gaza link”, 8 July 2008 and The Australian, “Charity used ‘terror’ group to distribute aid in Gaza”, 2 July 2008.[21] The Australian, “AFP probes Muslim charity’s Gaza link”, 8 July 2008 and The Australian, “Muslim charity under investigation cancels Gaza appeal” 26 July 2008.