JEDDAH: The government has temporarily closed offices of the International Islamic Relief Organization (IIRO) in Jeddah, Makkah and Taif for operating without licenses mandatory for all charities.

A committee that had been set up to investigate the offices, which are affiliated to the Muslim World League (MWL), said that they do not have licenses from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The committee said that the offices could reopen once they had met all criteria for operating in Saudi Arabia, the host country of the organization, according to a report in a local publication on Thursday.

Mohammed Khidir, media spokesman of the IIRO, was quoted as saying that the closure of offices had nothing to do with any financial mismanagement at the IIRO and work was being done to meet the criteria and reopen.

He said there was strict control of the finances at the offices, with officials checking accounts before and after any spending takes place. In addition, the IIRO was accountable to the MWL, he said.

Meanwhile, the committee is reportedly checking on other charities in the Kingdom to ensure they meet all the country’s financial and administrative criteria to operate.

The committee began its visits in the western region and will continue with other regions soon.