Al-Arian Contempt Trial Set for August

By The Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT)

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - A trial date has been set for August 13th in the case of Sami Al-Arian, who is charged with criminal contempt in a two count indictment for refusing to testify before grand juries investigating Islamic charities with...

Convicted Terrorist Sami Al-Arian Indicted in Virginia

By The Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT)

Convicted terrorist Sami Al-Arian has been indicted in Virginia on two counts of criminal contempt after refusing to testify before a federal grand jury despite a grant of immunity. Al-Arian, who pled guilty in 2006 to conspiring to provide goods...

Deportation Hearings of Hamas-linked Imam Wind Down

By The Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT)

Deportation proceedings against Imam Mohammad Qatanani of the Islamic Center of Passaic in New Jersey, charged with failing to disclose an earlier arrest and conviction in Israel, wrapped up today. News reports have alternately described Qatanani as "revered," "influential," and...

The Palestinian Islamic Jihad's "Education Wing"

By The Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT)

Yesterday, the Associated Press reported that convicted Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) operative Sami Al-Arian ended his hunger strike, which he began, allegedly, in protest of the Eastern District of Virginia's insistence that he testify before a grand jury investigating the...

IPT Executive Director Steven Emerson Testifies Before House Intel Committee

By The Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT)

Yesterday, IPT Executive Director Steven Emerson testified before the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence on the state of the threat posed to the national security of the United States and the West by Al Qaeda, its affiliate organizations and...

Seriously, What is the FBI Doing?

By The Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT)

In February, we exposed the latest FBI (and CIA) outrage, advertising for recruits in a pro-terrorist, anti-American magazine, the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs (WRMEA) - (see: Looking Under a Rock: FBI and CIA Hit New Low in...

American Branch of the Muslim Brotherhood Tarnishes Dr. King's Legacy

By The Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT)

An act of violence, of terrorism, shook America 40 years ago today. The assassination of the Rev. Martin Luther King still reverberates as America struggles with racial politics and with terrorists - those who choose violence to achieve their political...

PART X: CAIR Pushes Phony Charges of Anti-Muslim Hysteria, Hate Crimes

By The Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT)

In a series of thorough and carefully documented articles, the Investigative Project on Terrorism has detailed the sinister side of the self-proclaimed Muslim civil rights group CAIR. Today's tenth and final installment takes a look at CAIR's persistent -- and...

Part IX: Leaders' Statements Illustrate CAIR's Extremism, Anti-Semitism

By The Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT)

Repeated statements by CAIR's leaders illustrate the group's extremist and anti-Semitic positions. Today's installment in the Investigative Project on Terrorism's detailed analysis of the self-proclaimed civil rights group, the ninth in a series, presents a compilation of those statements. Here...

Part VIII: CAIR Has Sponsored Islamist Meetings, Denigrated Muslim Moderates

By The Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT)

CAIR has co-sponsored and taken part in multiple Islamist conferences in the United States, while at the same time condemning and seeking to censor more moderate Muslims. Those actions are described in today's installment in IPT's comprehensive 10-part series on...

Part VII: CAIR Seeks To Define Away Threat Posed by Radical Islamists

By The Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT)

Jihad? Fatwa? Wahhabism? Islamist terrorism? All terms distorted or created by the U.S. government and media to stigmatize the Muslim religion and scare the public -- or so CAIR officials would have you believe. But their protestations ignore much evidence...

Part VI: CAIR Portrays "War on Terrorism" as Malicious "War on Islam"

By The Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT)

"The new perception is that the United States has entered a war with Islam itself," CAIR Chairman Parvez Ahmed declared at Washington's National Press Club in July 2007. But, in fact, CAIR officials and spokesmen have been peddling that same...

PART V: Quick To Defend Alleged Terrorists, CAIR Even Questioned Al Qaeda 9/11 Role

By The Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT)

CAIR's soft spot for terrorists extends well beyond the Hamas connections documented in yesterday's installment in this comprehensive series on the group. Today we focus on its portrayal of virtually any law enforcement action against radical elements as an assault...

Exclusive: IPT Uncovers Photos From Congressional Trip Allegedly Paid For By Saddam

By The Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT)

Before he was alleged to have become a spy for Saddam Hussein's regime, Muthanna Al-Hanooti's charity work and political activism provided him with access to the highest echelons of government. Newsletters collected by the Investigative Project on Terrorism, some published...

Part IV: CAIR Remains Apologist for Terrorist Hamas, Seeks To Silence Critics

By The Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT)

To say that The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has contorted logic and language to avoid criticizing its early patron, the terrorist group Hamas, would be damning enough. But the full truth is even worse: CAIR and its leaders have,...

Part III: Some CAIR Officials Convicted of Crimes, More Tied to Extremist Groups

By The Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT)

The questionable associations and actions by many of its leaders cast serious doubt on CAIR's claims of moderation and restraint. Some have committed criminal acts themselves; others have ties to organizations with connections to Islamic extremism. The third installment in...

Part II: Funding Ties With HLF and Foreign Donors Show CAIR's True Agenda

By The Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT)

The Council on American-Islamic Relation (CAIR)’s financing over the years challenges its self-description as a benevolent group out to protect the civil rights of the Muslim community in the United States. The clichéd admonition to “follow the money” gives a...

CAIR Exposed: IPT Investigation into the Council on American-Islamic Relations

By The Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT)

From the Hamas ties of its founders in 1994 to its solicitous stance toward accused terrorists today, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has demonstrated that its actual mission is far removed from the civil rights advocacy it claims to...

FBI, CIA Advertise in Pro-Terrorist Magazine

By The Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT)

In a frightening and bizarre turn, the two chief agencies tapped with safeguarding America's national security have started advertising in a publication that can only be described as objectively pro-terrorism. The online edition of the Washington Report for Middle East...

Former IAP President Indicted For Naturalization Fraud

By The Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT)

Yaser Bushnaq, a former president of the Islamic Association for Palestine has been indicted in Virginia for naturalization fraud. In applying to become a U.S. citizen in 2000, Bushnaq is accused of failing to disclose his affiliations with a series...

IPT Exclusive: Investigation Uncovers Jury Room Bullying in HLF Trial

By The Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT)

The IPT's Michael Fechter has an exclusive and potentially ground breaking story on the backroom bullying that led to the mistrial in the case of the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development. Here's an excerpt: DALLAS - She felt...

Current Trends in Jihadi Networks in Europe

By The Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT)

The terrorist related events that took place during the summer in Europe—the doctors' plot in Great Britain, the dismantling of various cells in Italy, Austria and Spain, and, finally, the September arrests in Germany and Denmark—have confirmed that Europe is a key staging ground for jihadi activities. Although large differences exist from country to country and within various subgroups in the ever-evolving underworld of jihadi networks in Europe, it is possible to identify some current trends that, in one way or another, are common to the whole continent. Independent, or Part of a Network During the last few years, commentators have been fascinated with homegrown networks in Europe and, clearly, small groups of European-born, self-radicalized, violence-prone Islamists have sprung up in most European countries. Yet, the panorama of jihadi networks in Europe is quite complex and, for a more accurate analysis, could be described on a continuum. At one extreme, one can identify quintessential homegrown groups such as the Hofstad Group in the Netherlands: small domestic clusters of radicals that have developed no ties to external groups and act in complete operational independence. At the opposite side of the spectrum are cells that respond to the traditional model used by al-Qaeda-affiliated groups in the 1990s: compartmentalized cells inserted in a well-structured network and subjected to a hierarchy whose heads are often outside Europe. That is the model to which various cells of the Algerian GSPC (today Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb) belong. In between these two extremes, there is a whole spectrum of realities, positioned according to the level of autonomy of the group. The most recurring model seems to be that of the cell dismantled by Danish authorities on September 4, 2007: a small group of young men, most of them born and/or raised in Europe, who knew each other either from the neighborhood or from the mosque. Their radicalization took place in Europe and only one or two members of the group traveled out of the country (Pakistan, in this case) to link up with foreign-based, well-structured groups ideologically or operationally affiliated with al-Qaeda. The knowledge acquired by the cell after this linkage obviously makes it more dangerous. Traveling for Jihad: Primary and Secondary Fields In contrast to the situation before the September 11 attacks, today most European jihadis do not travel out of the continent for training or to fight. Nevertheless, a small but significant number of them still opt for short stints in places where they can join training camps or guerrilla units. Pakistan/Afghanistan and Iraq are the two primary destinations. The former seems to attract recruits mostly from Northern Europe (Great Britain, in particular), while militants from Spain, Italy and France seem to travel mostly to the latter (El Periodico, May 6; Le Monde, December 16, 2004).

MASterful Lies: Bray and Omeish Keep Digging

By The Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT)

As the fallout from MAS President Esam Omeish's resignation from Virginia's immigration commission continues, another MAS official's past actions have come back to haunt the organization. Mahdi Bray, head of MAS's "civil rights" arm, the Freedom Foundation, appeared at an...

Confusion Clouds HLF Verdicts

By The Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT)

DALLAS - The nation's largest terror-support trial ended in a mistrial Monday after jurors were unable to reach unanimous decisions on most counts. In a bizarre twist, three jurors told U.S. District Judge A. Joe Fish that they disagreed with...

Holy Land Verdict In; Announcement Must Wait for Judge - Decision To Be Read Monday Morning

By The Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT)

A verdict in the nation's largest terrorism financing case has been reached, but the defendants and the public must wait out the weekend to hear the results. Five officials with the defunct Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development...

Omeish's Denials Carry a Familiar Ring

By The Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT)

With the resignation of Esam Omeish from a Virginia immigration panel last month, new questions emerged about the surgeon and the organization he leads. Omeish, president of the Muslim American Society (MAS), was forced to resign after videos showed him...

IPT Video Sinks Muslim Brotherhood Appointment in Virginia

By The Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT)

Esam Omeish, President of the Muslim American Society and a newly appointed member of the state's Commission of Immigration, resigned Thursday, a few hours after Gov. Timothy M. Kaine was informed of online videos, posted by the Investigative Project on...

HLF Jury Begins Deliberations

By The Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT)

DALLAS – The fate of five men accused of running the nation's largest terrorist-financing front is in the hands of a jury. The men, officers and employees at the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development (HLF) are charged with...

BREAKING: Closing Arguments Over in HLF Trial

By The Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT)

Closing arguments have ended in the terror financing case against the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Develpment (HLF), and the jury is receiving instructions from the judge before beginning deliberations, which are expected to begin as early as later...

HLF Trial: Defense Continues Closing Arguments

By The Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT)

DALLAS - Attorneys for three Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development (HLF) officers minimized their clients' roles in work prosecutors allege was designed to help Hamas. Any evidence there is against their clients is protected by the First Amendment,...

"Deception" Dominates HLF Closing Arguments

By The Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT)

DALLAS - A federal prosecutor and the attorney for the lead defendant in the terror-support trial of five Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development (HLF) officers traded accusations of deception Monday during closing arguments. When federal prosecutor Barry Jonas...

Former Dallas Congressman Testifies at HLF Trial

By The Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT)

DALLAS - Former Congressman John Bryant (D-Texas), who served both as a lawyer and lobbyist for the Holy Land for Relief and Development (HLF), testified Thursday in the defunct charity's terror support trial. Bryant said HLF became a client in...

HLF Witness Doesn't Accept Evidence Linking Charity to HAMAS

By The Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT)

DALLAS-- Cross examination of former U.S. Counsel General Edward Abington continued Wednesday at the terror-support trial of five Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development (HLF) officials. Abington, who served as counsel general at the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem, has...

Former Ambassador Defends HLF

By The Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT)

DALLAS--A former U.S. diplomat spoke in glowing terms Tuesday about the Palestinian charities supported by the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development (HLF). Edward Abington, a former counsel general at the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem, was the first defense...

HLF Case Heavy on Detail

By The Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT)

It is one line among thousands of pages of evidence in a Dallas courtroom, but it summarizes the government's terror-support case against the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development (HLF) and five former leaders. "Caution should be practiced not...

Indicted USF Student has Terror Past in Egypt

By The Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT)

Two Egyptian students enrolled at the University of South Florida have been indicted for carrying explosive materials across states lines. One of the defendants also is charged with teaching the other how to use them for violent reasons. Ahmed Abdellatif...

Prosecution Rests in Holy Land Case

By The Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT)

DALLAS— After six weeks of testimony, prosecutors finishing presenting evidence Thursday in the terror-support trial of the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development (HLF) and five of its top officials. Jurors heard testimony from 10 expert witnesses, saw hundreds...

Government Lays Out Financial Connections in HLF Case

By The Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT)

Dallas—FBI agent Lara Burns remained on the stand Tuesday as the government continued to detail the ties between Holy Land Foundation (HLF) officials and charity committees they funded. Prosecutors must prove that the defendants knew the millions of dollars they...

Hamas Leaders Demand Apology from CBS

By The Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT)

An end of the year thank-you note in 2000 to the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development (HLF) from The Islamic Association – Gaza, signed by Sheikh Ahmad Mohamed Bahr (Secretary General of The Islamic Society) expressed appreciation for...

“Weapons, Weapons, our Brothers”

By The Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT)

An enormous cache of internal communication and financial records were entered into evidence Monday at the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development (HLF) trial in Dallas. Most of the evidence, including a videotape, was seized from the offices of...

HLF Overseas Speakers Dominated by Hamas

By The Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT)

Officials at the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development (HLF) have long maintained that they have no relationship with Hamas, a specially designated terrorist group. But HLF’s own list of speakers from abroad, seized by federal agents in 2001,...

CAIR’s Reputation and Incredibly Fluctuating Membership Roll

By The Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT)

Much has already been written about the amicus brief filed by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) in the case against the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development (HLF), naming the CT blog (specifically this post) as part of...

An Unexpected Guest

By The Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT)

A visitor stopped by the Gaza office of the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development (HLF) in December 1999. It was Dallas Morning News reporter Steve McGonigle, who was reporting about alleged links between the Richardson, Tex.-based charity and...

HAMAS Propaganda Discovered In Offices Of HLF Beneficiaries

By The Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT)

The terror support trial of the Holy Land Foundation (HLF) continued this morning with direct examination of the Legal Advisor for the Counterterrorism Division of the Israeli Security Agency (ISA), who testified under the pseudonym “Avi.” Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth...

HLF Trial Update: 2nd Israeli Witness Takes the Stand

By The Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT)

The usual tranquility of the overflow courtroom in the Earle Cabell Federal Building and Courthouse in Dallas was disturbed Wednesday, as supporters of the defendants in the government’s case against the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development (HLF) were...

Muslim Brotherhood Phonebook Confirms that MAS is Brotherhood's Baby

By The Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT)

As the terror-support trial of the Holy Land Foundation (HLF) continued today, FBI agent Lara Burns testified that a phonebook found at the home of Ismail Elbarrasse - un-indicted co-conspirator and former assistant to HAMAS leader Musa Abu Marzook -...

CAIR: Youngest Member of Hamas Family Tree

By The Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT)

As the trial for the Holy Land Foundation (HLF) continues, the mountain of evidence presented by prosecutors demonstrates, in detail, the existence of a grand Muslim Brotherhood network in the United States dating back to the 1960s. A segment of...

Terrorism Trial Continues in Dallas

By The Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT)

The courtroom in Dallas was off limits to all but essential parties and immediate family members much of the day Thursday. The reason for the extra security measures was an unidentified Israeli agent who took the witness stand to discuss...

Cross examination of FBI agent begins in HLF trial

By The Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT)

Cross examination of government witness FBI Special Agent Lara Burns began Wednesday in the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development (HLF) trial in Dallas, Texas. Abdulrahman Odeh’s lawyer, Greg Westfall, was the first to cross examine Agent Burns. Westfall...

CAIR Identified by the FBI as part of the Muslim Brotherhood's Palestine Committee

By The Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT)

Dallas--In testimony Tuesday, FBI Agent Lara Burns reported before the jury in the Holy Land Foundation (HLF) trial that the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) was listed as a member of the Muslim Brotherhood’s Palestine Committee, right alongside HLF, the...

War is Deception

By The Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT)

Last week, we reported that an FBI agent identified Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) executive director Nihad Awad among those invited to a 1993 meeting of HAMAS members and supporters. On Monday, jurors in the terror support trial of...

HAMAS Underground

By The Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT)

On Thursday, the US District Court in Dallas released several video exhibits as part of the terrorist-financing case against the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development (HLF). One of them – a recording of an Islamic Association for Palestine...