FRANCAISInternational Islamic Relief Organisation of Saudi Arabia (al-Ighata al-Islamiya al-'alamiya) - Comments
5) Links to politics
-The IIRO has many connections in the Saudi monarchy and clergy. The Minister of Defense, Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz, and the highest religious authority in the kingdom, Mufti Abdel Aziz bin Baz, were among the first donors of the organization when it started. Abroad, its funds are channelled by Saudi embassies. As late as 1999, the NGO was officially invited to participate to some meetings of the OIC (Organization of the Islamic Conference). Such a protection explains why the IIRO was in a better position to resist the American accusations of terrorism, as compared to the al-Haramayn Foundation, which was eventually disbanded by the Saudi authorities in 2004.
