RIYADH, 6 February — Saudi Arabia stated yesterday that it would tighten its control over charity organizations following accusations that some of them may have funded militant groups abroad.
An official statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency said that Riyadh would "take all possible measures in accordance with relevant international resolutions to prevent the use of these charity operations for any illegal purposes".
"Saudi Arabia, while remembering its Islamic and humanitarian role that necessitates the continuity of charity and humanitarian work, is very keen that funds are not misused," the statement said.
It said the move was part of the Kingdom’s efforts to cooperate in the global crackdown on terror financing and followed charges that some Saudi-based charities had links to groups listed by the United Nations as suspected financiers of terrorist organizations.
Saudi charity organizations have repeatedly denied any connection with funding terror campaigns.
The statement was issued "to clarify what has been said about certain individuals belonging to Saudi charities, both at home and abroad, having connections with organizations that might have been mentioned by the UN in its resolutions against international terrorism".
Saudi charities such as the International Islamic Relief Organization (IIRO), Al-Haramain Charitable Foundation and the Islamic Charitable Committee of the World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY) operate under strict guidelines that prevent them from being able to transfer funds to illicit recipients, the Saudi official said.
"Saudi policy is based on the correct understanding of Islam and this necessitates combating terrorism and its funding in every way and form" in accordance with UN Security Council anti-terrorism resolutions 1267 and 1333.
