The Charity Commission has launched a statutory inquiry into fundraising activities carried out by a business director who has been sanctioned for suspected involvement in a pro-Hamas news agency.
The move has been taken after Aozma Sultana became subject to an official sanction by the UK government amid claims she provided financial support to the news agency Gaza Now, which it says promotes Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
The regulator says it has become involved as two companies which Sultana is a sole director of “appear to have partnered with Gaza Now to raise funds to provide humanitarian support for those in need” in the war ravaged region.
The two companies are Aakhirah Limited and Al-Qureshi Executives.
It says that US Department of the Treasury papers show that the two companies have “given thousands of dollars to Gaza Now” and advertised the news agency as a partner during a joint fundraiser, that took place following Hamas’s attack on Israel in October last year.
We've opened an inquiry to investigate fundraising activity over links to a pro-Hamas media outlet.
— Charity Commission (@ChtyCommission) April 19, 2024
Read more: https://t.co/zvg12xEXq8 pic.twitter.com/HoEytpThCR
“The regulator has serious concerns that the funds raised may not have been used for their intended purposes and may have been misappropriated,” said the Charity Commission.
“The appeal sought donations from the public for emergency medication, food and shelter to help those in need but is suspected of funding Gaza Now.
“Individuals and organisations raising funds for a particular charitable purpose have a legal responsibility for ensuring they are used for the purposes intended by the donors.”
It added that it is looking into what activities by Sultana and her companies fall within its jurisdiction.
The Commission says it is also “investigating how charitable funds have been raised and used to ascertain if these funds can be fully accounted for”.
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