Arab media is reporting concerns expressed by the leader of the World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY) over what is described as a “steep shortfall” in the organization’s budget. According to a report in the Arab News:
Saleh S. Al-Wohaibi, secretary-general of the World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY), has voiced concerns over the steep shortfall of WAMY’s budget that is cutting deep at the WAMY-affiliated organizations that cater to the needs of poor Muslim children and youths worldwide. The budgetary constraints, he said, was mainly caused by the economic crisis and the stringent measures imposed by the US and the Western nations on collecting donations and remitting funds abroad for Islamic projects. “This year, WAMY has reported five percent budget shortfall, that will eventually affect our services, aid and relief operations worldwide,” said Saleh S. Al-Wohaibi, WAMY’s secretary general, while addressing a press conference here Wednesday night. Several WAMY officials including Mohammed Al-Surri, WAMY’s executive director; and Hassan A. Kudaish, chief of the WAMY’s education department, were also present during the briefing at the WAMY’s headquarters…..Al-Wohaibi, however, lamented that the curbs imposed on charities like WAMY, which has over 450 youth organizations among its members worldwide, are creating more problems for poor children and youths across the world. “One of the oft-repeated charges against charitable organizations is that they have become a channel for funding terrorism,” he said. The fact that WAMY has nothing to do with such activities is clear from its membership to several international organizations including the UN, he added. The WAMY chief said: “Islamic charities like their counterparts in the US and Europe must have rights to accept donations, transfer funds to foreign countries for humanitarian projects and help people in need and in hours of crisis.”
Muslim Brothers were instrumental in the founding of WAMY and the organization continues to enjoy close relations with the global Muslim Brotherhood. U.S. government agencies and officials have argued that WAMY has helped spread Islamic extremism around the world as well as sponsoring terrorism in places such as Bosnia, Israel, and India. Numerous previous posts have discussed WAMY’s activities throughout the world.