A Gulf news paper has reported on the “operating body” responsible for Islamonline.net, the leading internet Islamic new portal associated with global Muslim Brotherhood leader Youssef Qaradawi. According to the report:
Al Balagh Cultural Society, the founding and operating body behind Islamonline.net, a fatwa web portal, was established in 1997 by two Qatari IT specialists Maryam Hasan Al Hajari and Dr Hamid Al Ansari, a scholar at the Shariah Faculty of the University of Qatar. In its early stages the project was supported by the University of Qatar, particularly by Sheikh Yusuf Al Qaradawi, the 1926-born, Azhar-educated Egyptian scholar and theorist of the Islamic Awakening movement who still chairs the Al Balagh Society today.
The report goes on to discuss the role of Nasser Bin Khaled, described as Qatar’s leading business conglomerate, in the support of Islam Online:
Upholding a strong legacy of societal contributions, NBK has long been at the forefront of community relations activities, a pillar of the business’ commitment towards its corporate social responsibility and towards contributing to the welfare of its fellow citizens. Nasser Bin Khaled, Qatar’s leading business conglomerate, recently donated a Mitsubishi pick-up to Al Balagh Cultural Society. The donation is in line with NBK’s annual Corporate Social Responsibility Program with endeavors that span several socioeconomic avenues. In turn, Al Balagh Cultural Society will use this vehicle in their efforts to raise donations for charitable organization across Qatar.
BusinessWeek describes NBK as a holding company involved in automotive retail, construction, oil and gas, agricultural materials, civil engineering, consultancy services, broadcasting, information technology and communication, contracting and project management, merchandise and retail market, car rental, luxury and fashion, hospitality, and real estate businesses.