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| Africa: East |
| Nairobi Islamic trust boss deported over terror links |
| 2004-01-29 |
| The director of a Nairobi Islamic trust has been deported reportedly for his link with terrorism. Sudanese Muawiya Hassan Abu-wail left on an order signed by Mr Moody Awori. The Home Affairs minister, who is also the Vice-President, is in charge of immigration and work permits. The official line is that Mr Abu-wail, the director of Muhtada Al-Islam, a registered NGO with offices in South C, Nairobi, was in the country illegally. Yet, according sources close to him, his work permit was not due to expire till next October. A lawyer, who sought anonymity, blamed the US for the expulsion, saying it linked him to terrorism. An attempt by Supreme Council of Muslims of Kenya (Supkem) officials to intervene failed as Mr Abu-wail was thrown out after only 48 hours. Supkem chairman Abdulgafur Al-Busaidy is also chairman of the NGO’s board of trustees. It handles relief and humanitarian activities. Mr Abu-wail was said to have been held at the JKIA on January 9 as his deportation papers were being sorted out by his lawyers and the Government. Earlier, the Government attempted through the NGO council to have Muhtada Al-Islam deregistered but the motion was rejected by a vote of 19 to 16 when it was brought before the members. Mr Abu-wail’s expulsion follows a crackdown on NGOs suspected to have links with terrorist organisations. |
| Posted by:TS |