FRANCAISHaramayn (Mu’assasat al-Haramayn al-Khariyya) - Comments
4) Public Relations
-The propagation of Islam (daawa) is a fundamental mission of the AHF, whose name al-Haramayn refers to the “two Holy Places” of the Mecca and Medina. The main objective is thus to preach and re-islamize the Muslim world by building mosques, Koranic schools and orphanages. As a consequence, volunteers of the AHF refrain from helping women who are not veiled, as well as men who drink alcohol, do not have a beard and do not go to the mosque. Al-Haramayn is also suspected of having tried to convert non-Muslims, which is quite exceptional among Islamist NGOs.
-From this point of view, the AHF clearly used humanitarian relief for religious ends. According to its own website, quoted by Mayke Kaag and closed today, its aim was “to provide aid to the Muslims who suffer from catastrophes, disasters and calamities… to enliven the faith in the hearts and implant knowledge in their breasts if Allah Most High so wills”.
-As far as we know, the AHF never published any annual report or financial statement. The opacity of the organization gave rise to many accusations of arms dealings to support Islamist armed struggles. From this point of view, the AHF did a lot of harm to the Muslim humanitarian movement. Henceforth, the Islamic NGOs that refuse transparency, such as the IIRO (International Islamic Relief Organization), are systematically suspected of covering terrorist groups.
