US Seizes Four Mosques In Anti-Terrorism Probe

In what is probably the largest anti-terrorism bust on record, the US seized four mosques and a NY skyscraper owned by a Muslim non-profit who, the government claims, funnels money back to Iran.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33894877/ns/world_news-mideastn_africa/

Federal prosecutors Thursday took steps to seize four U.S. mosques and a Fifth Avenue skyscraper owned by a nonprofit Muslim organization long suspected of being secretly controlled by the Iranian government.

In what could prove to be one of the biggest counterterrorism seizures in U.S. history, prosecutors filed a civil complaint in federal court seeking the forfeiture of more than $500 million in assets of the Alavi Foundation and an alleged front company.

The assets include Islamic centers in New York City, Maryland, California and Houston, more than 100 acres in Virginia, and a 36-story office tower in New York.

This was an administrative action only, authorities did not raid any mosques. But they do claim illegal activities, and so took steps to seize ownership of assets.

There were no raids Thursday as part of the forfeiture action. The government is simply required to post notices of the civil complaint on the property.

Prosecutors said the Alavi Foundation, through a front company known as Assa Corp., illegally funneled millions in rental income back to Iran's state-owned Bank Melli. Bank Melli has been accused by a U.S. Treasury official of providing support for Iran's nuclear program, and it is illegal in the United States to do business with the bank.

The U.S. has long suspected the foundation was an arm of the Iranian government; a 97-page complaint details involvement in foundation business by several top Iranian officials, including the deputy prime minister and ambassadors to the United Nations.

"For two decades, the Alavi Foundation's affairs have been directed by various Iranian officials, including Iranian ambassadors to the United Nations, in violation of a series of American laws," U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said in a statement.

And of course, muslim reaction is guarded and wary, especially coming as it does so soon after the Ft. Hood incident.
http://www.news10.net/news/story.aspx?storyid=70308&catid=2

In the wake of a federal seizure attempt against a Muslim organization's U.S. holdings, local Muslim community leaders expressed concern Thursday about the implications of what they called an unprecedented move by the government.

"The Muslim community believes it will have a chilling effect on the First Amendment rights to exercise your religion," Council on American Islamic Relations executive director Basim Elkarra said.

"I think the community will watch this closely and especially coming at a bad time right after Fort Hood, where our community is concerned about backlash," Elkarra said. "Now our mosques are being seized."

I understand the fear, but religion is not a shield that can be used to protect ourselves from the consequences of illegal activities. If the seized properties were being used for illegal purposes, then tough. If you don’t want to pay the price, don’t break the law. If, however, the allegations cannot be proven, then the property should be returned promptly.

I am waiting to see what evidence is disclosed as the case advances. Right now we’re at the initial stages, and we don’t know what merit the allegations have. So now we wait… and watch.