Leaked document shows Qatar Charity’s affiliation to gov't

CAIRO – 21 October 2017: A leaked document from Qatar Charity revealed a suspicious relation between the Qatari NGO and the Ministry of Defense, amid Arab and regional accusations against the ruling regime of supporting terrorist groups.

A talk show broadcasted on Egypt’s Al Aasema channel (The Capital) showed on Thursday footage of a document believed to be a message from Qatari Minister of Finance Ali Sharif Al Emadi to the Chairman of the Qatar Charity Sheikh Hamad Bin Nasser Al Thani.

Having the emblem of Qatar, the document disclosed secret financial transactions between the Qatar Charity and the Defense Ministry which suggested that the Qatari NGO used donations in supporting undeclared military activities.

The document raised controversy about the credibility and independency of the Qatari NGO which was listed among 12 entities and 59 individuals labeled terrorist by the Anti-Terrorism Quartet (ATQ) – Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain – in June for supporting different terrorist organisations.

The list included the Muslim Brotherhood’s spiritual leader, Yousef Al Qaradawi, and some Qatari-funded charities such as Qatar Charity and Eid Charity.

Qatar’s relations with several Arab states have been strained since May 24 over a leaked statement attributed to Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad, criticizing Gulf foreign policy with Iran, describing it as “unwise”.

On 5 June, the ATQ and several Middle East countries cut diplomatic ties with Qatar and imposed economic sanctions, accusing it of harboring terrorist and sectarian groups that aim to destabilize the region, including the Muslim Brotherhood, Daesh and Al Qaeda, a claim Qatar rejects. They also closed their airspace and seaports for Qatari transportation.

The Arab quartet issued 13 demands to Doha – then shortened to six principles - including closing Al Jazeera television, curbing relations with Iran and shutting a Turkish military base.