Obama administration cracks down on Iran-tied mosques, NYC property; Update: Alavi Foundation donates Korans to prison inmates
Interesting. Not sure whether this is the Obama White House response to criticism that it has been soft on jihad, but the timing is noteworthy. (Okay, thought about it. Yes, I’m pretty sure it is p.r.-driven.) Continuing an investigation it — ahem — inherited from the Bush administration, Obama officials have moved to seize four mosques and a NYC building linked to the Iranian regime and suspected of serving as fronts.
Waiting for screams of “backlash” in 3, 2, 1…
Federal prosecutors took steps Thursday 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 against the Alavi Foundation, seeking the forfeiture of more than $500 million in assets.
The assets include bank accounts; Islamic centers consisting of schools and mosques in New York City, Maryland, California and Houston; more than 100 acres in Virginia; and a 36-story glass office tower in New York.
Confiscating the properties would be a sharp blow against Iran, which has been accused by the U.S. government of bankrolling terrorism and trying to build a nuclear bomb.
A telephone call and e-mail to Iran’s U.N. Mission seeking comment were not immediately answered. Nor was a call to the Alavi Foundation.
It is extremely rare for U.S. law enforcement authorities to seize a house of worship, a step fraught with questions about the First Amendment right to freedom of religion.
The action against the Shiite Muslim mosques is sure to inflame relations between the U.S. government and American Muslims, many of whom are fearful of a backlash after last week’s Fort Hood shooting rampage, blamed on a Muslim American major.
The NEFA Foundation has a trove of court documents related to the case, U.S. v. Assa Corporation (Ties to Bank Melli):
- Complaint (Added 12/21/08) In December 2008, the U.S. announced “the filing of a civil Complaint seeking forfeiture of the 40% interest in 650 Fifth Avenue Company (the owner of the 36-story office tower at 650 Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, New York) which is held by Assa Corporation…The office tower at 650 Fifth Avenue (the ‘Building’) was constructed in the 1970′s by the Pahlavi Foundation, a non-profit organization operated by the Shah of Iran to pursue Iran’s charitable interests in the United States. The Building’s construction was financed by a substantial loan from Bank Melli Iran (‘Bank Melli’), a state-owned bank in Iran. The Pahlavi Foundation was later renamed the Mostazafan Foundation of New York, and later renamed the Alavi Foundation. In 1989 the Alavi Foundation formed 650 Fifth Avenue Company in partnership with Bank Melli. Bank Melli’s ownership interest was, however, disguised. Specifically, the Alavi Foundation transferred 35% of 650 Fifth Avenue Company to Assa Corporation, an entity wholly owned by Assa Company Limited; Assa Company Limited is a Jersey, Channel Islands, United Kingdom, entity, which was and has since been wholly owned by Iranian citizens who represent the interests of Bank Melli. In conjunction with the transfer of the 35% interest in 650 Fifth Avenue to Assa Corp., Bank Melli cancelled its loan on the Building. Today, the Alavi Foundation owns 60% of 650 Fifth Avenue Company, and Bank Melli owns 40% of 650 Fifth Avenue Company, through Assa Corporation and Assa Company Limited.”
- U.S. Attorney’s Office Press Release on Civil Complaint (Added 12/21/08) DOJ notes that “without an OFAC license to do so, Assa Corporation and Assa Company Limited continued to provide services to Bank Melli by maintaining Bank Melli’s interest in 650 Fifth Avenue Company and transferring income from 650 Fifth Avenue Company to Bank Melli. In 1999, OFAC identified Bank Melli, and all of its offices worldwide, as entities owned or controlled by the Government of Iran.”
- FBI Press Release on Civil Complaint (Added 12/21/08)
- Treasury Department Designation (Added 12/21/08) Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Stuart Levey commented, “This scheme to use a front company set up by Bank Melli — a known proliferator — to funnel money from the United States to Iran is yet another example of Iran’s duplicity.” Further, “Bank Melli provides financial services, including opening letters of credit and maintaining accounts, for Iranian front companies and entities engaged in proliferation activities. Further, Bank Melli has facilitated the purchase of sensitive materials utilized by Iran’s nuclear and missile industries, and has handled transactions for other designated Iranian entities, including Bank Sepah, Defense Industries Organization, and the Shahid Hammat Industrial Group.” And, “Bank Melli provides banking services to Iran’s military vanguard, the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and the Qods Force…”
***
A tipster sends info on the Alavi Foundaton’s Koran giveaways to…prisons (flashback: the jihadi virus in our jails):
Arlene “Raheema” Pater-Rov wears the traditional hijab, a modesty scarf she wraps around her head to cover her hair, and a long-sleeved dark purple dress. The hijab is observed by many Muslim women and is the required dress code for walking through the Islamic Education Center of Maryland in Potomac. For this reason, Pater-Rov keeps spare scarves in the office for visitors.
Pater-Rov is the head of the IEC’s book distribution program, which sends free Qurans and other Islamic books to prisoners across the United States who request them, as well as to libraries and college students.
The purpose of the program is “to educate those that are in prison about Islamic knowledge,” Pater-Rov said.
According to Pater-Rov, many American inmates convert to Islam while in prison after learning about the religion from Muslim prison chaplains.
By one estimation, more than 30,000 U.S. prisoners convert to Islam each year, according to Ibrahim Abdurrahman Farajaje, a professor of Islamic studies at the Starr King School for the Ministry.Although many of the prison converts are Sunnis, a branch of Islam, the EIC’s books are written by Shiites.
“But we try not to stress the differences,” Pater-Rov said.
Many of the requests come from Michigan because of its extensive Muslim population. Pater-Rov said Henry Ford brought hundreds of Arabs to Michigan in 1905 to work in his factories manufacturing cars, and this is the reason for its large Muslim community.
At the IEC, the book distribution program is run out of a small office within the building. Two bookcases line the walls, filled with English translations of the Quran, books about the prophet Mohammed and interpretations of different surahs, or chapters, of the Quran by learned scholars…
…THE BOOK distribution program began as Quranic Account, run by Dr. A.S. Hashemi, in 1981, the year the IEC was established. In 1987 the Quranic Account moved to another address.
“But the letters (requesting Qurans) were still coming to IEC,” said Pater-Rov.
In that same year, the IEC began its own distribution program, Pater-Rov said. During its time in the IEC building, the Quranic Account gave out about 1,000 Qurans a year. Now, the IEC’s book distribution program sends some 6,000 books a year, which includes Qurans and other Islamic books.
The book distribution program is funded by the New York-based Alavi Foundation, which was established in 1973 by the Shah of Iran, Pater-Rov said.
“So, actually all the Qurans are bought by the Shah’s money,” Pater-Rov said.
After the Shah was overthrown in 1979, the Shah’s assets were transferred to the new regime. As one of the former Shah’s assets, the foundation is still under the Iranian government’s control, but the money cannot be used outside the United States, Pater-Rov said.
“They control it from Iran, but they can’t use it in Iran,” said Pater-Rov. “They have to use it here.”
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Are they finally waking up? Or are they just trying to lull us to sleep before they go back to business as usual?
When the left and CAIR do cry racism, the Chicago Thug will just do what he does best, blame President Bush.
Obama probably let this one go forward because some spokes-hole in his administration said it would take the peoples minds off of the Ft. hood terrorist attack. WRONG!!
We will NEVER forget our President trying to cover up a blatant terrorist act while standing before the troops and the country on Veteren’s day. Notice how Obama also rejected the Afghanistan options on Veteren’s Day as well. He must be swelling with pride at the thought of being able to stab the country in the back twice on Veteren’s Day!
*With Iran, the USA has two options; Bankrupt them or bomb them; Either one works for me; The rest of the world will continue to be of no help and the Middle East will be on fire soon enough if we do nothing; This action may just light the fuse for us to finally deal with the root cause problem, that we are dealing with a 7th century invented religion of death cult savages.
Papa, as I noted on a Marine message board – “if someone were REALLY intent on destroying the U.S., wouldn’t they wait for some kind of horrendous Islamofascist attack, THEN crack down on Islam in general? Won’t this just justify to all the radicals in their beliefs?”
I believe that Rahm-Bo had this scenario set up, for when, not if, something such as Fort Hood happened ………………
Semper Fi’
DM
Make a move, announce that they are doing “something” to appease the public, then get right back to health care, their obession.
This is an FBI rogue operation. They’re getting their necks stepped on now.
There are going to be screams of discrimination but what else is new. Go for it!
Seems like amazing timing, but am glad it happened, even if it is the FBI and Obammy trying to look tough on terrorism (or man-made disasters as they are called). It is too bad that 14 people had to die last week for this to happen.
Has CAIR whined yet?
Yeah, go after all supporters of terrorism. Shiite or Sunni. Iran or Syria. Use every tool in the arsenal.
The question is, when will we go after Saudi Arabia? And, the Wahabists?
I would believe this is serious when I see the property sold at auction, and the proceeds go to those who have directly suffered due to Iran’s actions.
The US Givernment has for years held seized Iranian assets, and for years have argued in court AGAINST Americans claims on those assets who suffered because of the Iranians.
dog and pony show…just like arresting and deporting a few illegal aliens here and a few there and then let the businesses go back to biz as usual within a month or two or let the illegals go to get jobs down the street….if they want to go after them do it and cut the head off the beast in a way that prevents them from infiltrating us again…
Maybe the various Obama slush funds were just running short. $500 million will fund a lot of “astro-turfing” for Obama and his union buddies…
Blame Bush! Can’t they do anything else?
Enuf said.
Jake
I disagree with you about 99% of the time, here’s an exception…the Saudi’s are a danger to us and the world every bit as much as the Iranian’s.
I thought the same thing when I saw it.. Suspicious timing, & probably a ruse to appear as if they are cracking down on radical islamic groups in America..
I agree with other reader’s observations that if it backfires. they’ll flip the “Blame Bush” switch..
Ummmm, OK. Thank you.
Are you a Vodka, Rum, Scotch, or Bourbon drinker. I am a bourbon drinker. Just looking for a way to get that 99% lower. Please know that Bourbon is American and can only be produced in one State.
OH, as for beer, I prefer Sam Adams and MGD. Are we geting lower than 99%?
And, always ask me a question, I will always do my best to respond.
Aaah but you are a wise old Jedi Knight..
This is a Dog & Pony show that will fizzle out most likely.. It’s just a show for the sheeple of the nation’s metropoli.. A sound bite, & a news blip..
Oh, good grief! MGD is NOT beer!!!
looking for international outrage with accusations of a US war against Islam, UN lawsuits, Iran escalating their right and using our attacks as an excuse to build and use nuclear weapons.
Buckle up, its likely going to be a bumpy ride.
Obama gets weighed, measured and found wanting uuummm..what?
That is relative based onthe number of days you have been in the field. )
But then I have seen troops in the field turn down Hamms so…..
Look for this press announcement in 7 months:
May 12, 2010 New York, NY – Today the National Headquarters of ACORN announced the opening of their new NYC regional headquaters building in NYC along with four new branch offices. An ACORN spokesman said, “We are excited about these new facilities that will assist us in our community outreach and voter regstration efforts.”……
I can’t help but think perhaps our problems stem from a LACK of a backlash against Muslims when they pull their crap. Perhaps if we, what’s that phrase the president uses, “Get in their face and make them uncomfortable,” they’ll either decide to join the rest of American society or go back to whatever s-hole they came from.
Why go to all the effort and expense of leaving a 3rd-world s-hole, only to bring your 3rd world s-hole customs with you?
“Islam” is just another word for “evil.”
Just a drop in the bucket; window dressing. Like trying to put out a burning skyscraper with a water gun. I dont take anything this administration does as well meaning. It is nothing but a strategic distraction, to keep the public from being further infuriated with the inescapable fact that lib PC’ness has caused the deaths of 14 people at Fort Hood. It is simply not in the blood of liberals to do anything to take a meaningful stand against terrorism; or to put the safety of our Country or our military ahead of the faux hurt feelings of Muslims.
For us to do that WE OURSELVES have to believe in something. That is why the Greatest Generation responded to dissenters and spies the way they did. The BELIEVED in their country, Constitution and their way of life.
Our leaders have no faith in such things and it shows in their resolve.
We do not have to get in their face, but we need to show an unshakeable determination and tell these people in no uncertain terms that America is what it is and they can either join our culture, tolerate it, or get out. And if they want to try and use violence that will be met with overwhelming, decisive force.
The Libs can just get out of the way.
I am not a supporter of “Present” Obama but I will acknowledge when somebody I don’t like does the right thing. This is the right thing. Thank you.
I hope I am never so desperate that I would stoop to drinking MGD!
The first I saw of this today was a one sentence wire from the AP.
I suspect the press didn’t know what to make of it and they had to be prodded to develop the story. I bet at first the likes of Chris Matthews were wondering “So do we stifle and downplay this too?” And then an administration offical told them that they wanted the story ran to prove Obama’s tough meddle and resolve against Islamic Terrorism. And now its on NYT and MSNBC front and center.
So it is buildings who kill and spread evil?
Where are all the people that have been running the “charity” and mosques etc?
Why weren’t THEY arrested?
all civil charges no CRIMINAL charges.
This was a GIFT to the deathcult, what do they care about a few building? NADA
This is the hopey changey lib crap of turning the war on terror over the courts.
TOOTHLESS
I agree wholeheartedly but….
The skeptics out here want to see if this is a policy, an act that is part of an overall strategy or if it was an individual event.
During Vietnam Lyndon Johnson would order tings like this on the battlefield. They were not part of a strategy to win the war, but a pin prick designed to goad the enemy to the conference table.
In 1965 the Air Force drew up a list of priority bombing targets in North Vietnam. They had to submit the list of 250 targets, 1 through 250, to the White House for approval.
They got the list back TWO YEARS later; approved but with one change. The targets were to be bombed in REVERSE order, 250 to 1.
Dithering Barry is certainly acting like Johnson IMHO.
The typical lefty thing to do with terrorism is to take the “if I don’t look at it it will disappear” stance. BHO got burned this time along with the rest of the PC crowd.
Shah of Iran, eh. Could this be a little symbolism for the benefit of the mullahs over in Iran?
If the activities/entities were suspected, all this examination/seizing etc was supposed to be going on anyway. I don’t see any progress.
And my guess is this is all ‘bargain bacon’ provided by CAIR.
Dead GIs does not seem to be of particular concern to either. That the Tet Offensive of 1968 was a “surprise” to LBJ and cohorts still can throw me into an uncivil discourse. Is it Dithering or just young American lives are not all that important to these self absorbed persons?
Backlash? I can think of a few persons….
Watch the left hand as the right hand creates smoke & mirrors!
This action is to keep Hill and Bill in line.
Hill has received big bucks from this group.
Bill has received big bucks from this group.
There are rumblings about running Hill for 2012.
Hill and Bill will be receiving lots of little nudges *chgo style………..
I like it when we can reach common ground. Besides, I heard Osama drinks MGD.
We’ve seen a number of 1st or rarities over the past couple of weeks.
1) and act of terror on one of our own military bases.
2) The muslim community denouncing it.
3) U.S. law enforcement authorities seizing a muslim “house of worship.”
We’ve learned when dealing with the muslim community and/or this administration that nothing should be taken at face value. So, you have to ask yourself “what is up.”
I’m all for the US government stopping terrorism and those who incite it. However, seizing houses of worship could be a “bad thing” in the long run.
The war on Christmas and school prayer don’t give me a lot of hope that this same thing won’t happen to Christian churches in the future.
Just wait until Erik Holder finds out about this!! He’ll “fix” it!
Close one Michelle, but your countdown may not have gotten down to even “2″. The first liberal whinings about it (comments) I see were posted 19 hours ago at DU. Ah yes, liberal support for Islamic terrorists, something we can count on like the sun comin’ up in the morn.
This gets my vote.