Saudi Arabia--The Thin Line Between "Kingdom Of Humanity” And "Hub Of Terror"

From Arab News.com:

Saudi Arabia is popularly known as the “Kingdom of Humanity” and Saudis are known across the world for helping the poor, the needy and victims of calamities.

Is that what the Saudis are known for?

• Cato Institute, November 2001: Terrorist Sponsors: Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, China
• JCPA, October 2003: Saudi Arabia's Dubious Denials of Involvement in International Terrorism
• CRS Report for Congress, December 8, 2004: Saudi Arabia: Terrorist Financing Issues
• The Middle East Quarterly, Spring 2006: Does Saudi Arabia Fund Terrorism?
• The Sunday Times, November 4, 2007: Saudi Arabia is hub of world terror
• Lost Angeles Times, April 2, 2008: Saudis faulted for funding terror
• Los Angeles Times, September 30, 2009: Saudi Arabia-based charities still funding terrorists, GAO says
• Sunday Times, March 28, 2010: Saudis fund Balkan Muslims spreading hate of the West

The Arab News article mentions that, saying:

Most people who give alms do so with the intention of reward from Allah. However, there is hardly any way of verifying whether these people deserve the alms they receive. In fact, there is a possibility such money ends up in the hands of terrorists.

Hardly any way?
The Saudis will have to do better than that.

According to that 2010 article in The Sunday Times:

Saudi Arabia is pouring hundreds of millions of pounds into Islamist groups in the Balkans, some of which spread hatred of the West and recruit fighters for jihad in Afghanistan.

According to officials in Macedonia, Islamic fundamentalism threatens to destabilise the Balkans. Strict Wahhabi and Salafi factions funded by Saudi organisations are clashing with traditionally moderate local Muslim communities.

...Classified documents seen by The Sunday Times reveal that Macedonian officials are also investigating a number of Islamic charities, some in Saudi Arabia, which are active throughout the Balkans and are suspected of spreading extremism and laundering money for terrorist organisations.

No more excuses--not by Saudi Arabia, and not by the US..

Technorati Tag: Saudi Arabia and Terrorism.