The transfer of funds by the Union of Good to the Hamas-affiliated Jenin Charity Committee.
Jenin Charity Committee – Overview
1. In Arabic, lajnat amwal al- zakat Jenin or lajnat amwal al-zakat – muhafazat Jenin.
2. www.amin.org/news/ali/samudi/2003/nov/nov22.htm1
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There are other Committee directors who are Hamas terrorist-operatives and who have combined their activities as terrorists with their work in the “charity committee.” They include: | |
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Jamal ‘Abd al-Salam Abu al-Hijaa’ , one of the heads of Hamas’ terrorist infrastructure in Jenin. He was in charge of groups responsible for sending terrorists into Israel to perpetrate suicide bombing attacks, among them the attack on a civilian bus in the Galilee near Mt. Meiron in August 2002, in which nine civilians were killed and 52 were injured. In addition he was a supervisor of centers for Qur'an memorization as part of his membership in the Jenin Charity Committee and he was responsible for supporting Hamas terrorists imprisoned in Israel.3
3. The above is a classic example of terrorist-operational activity combined with “educational”- social activity. The model exists in other Hamas-affiliated “charitable societies” or “charity committees” in the PA-administered territories. | |
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Nasser Khaled Ibrahim Jarrar, one of the commanders of Hamas’ terrorist-operational apparatus in Jenin . He was active in recruiting terrorist-operatives and in locating and dispatching suicide bombers, and planned a series of deadly attacks against Israeli targets. In addition, he was one of the founders of the Jenin Charity Committee and held a number of positions in it, among them responsibility for the orphans’ department. One of his duties was going abroad to raise funds. He served a prison sentence in Israel (1978-1988) and was rearrested a number of times (1989-1998). He died during an Israeli army operation (August 2002). | |
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Ibrahim Hassan ‘Ali Jaber , a senior terrorist-operative who was responsible for numerous deadly terrorist attacks on Israeli targets. During interrogation he admitted planning attacks, transporting explosive devices, giving military training and possessing weapons. From 1988 on he was a member of the Jenin Charity Committee, worked for its various institutions and was responsible for the orphans’ and indigent departments.4
4. The implication is that the money earmarked for orphans passed directly into the hands of Hamas terrorist-operatives. The possibility that some of it leaked into Hamas’ terrorist-operative infrastructure is therefore both reasonable and logical. | |
The Jenin Charity Committee is clearly operated by Hamas activists who are essentially terrorist-operatives. It is supported by designated Hamas-affiliated funds and foundations operating in Britain and other European countries, among them Interpal in Britain, Al-Aqsa Fund in Germany, CBSP in France, the UG and others. Zakarneh was in contact with Dr. ‘Abd al-Rahim Nasrallah, an activist in the financial field who lives in Saudi Arabia, and who in the past transferred sums to him amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars. The enormous influx of funds from associations and foundations all over the globe has improved Hamas’ finances during the ongoing violent Palestinian-Israeli confrontation to the point at which it rivals the PA’s civilian apparatus. It should be noted that according to documents found by Israeli security forces, the UG used the Jenin Charitable Society to transfer funds to groups affiliated with Fatah and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad as well.
Appendix B (1)
5. One of several documents found in the offices of the Jenin Charity Committee on October 19, 2003.
Coordinating Committee |
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The Hundred and One Day fund-raising drive to alleviate the distress of the Palestinian people and support for its firm resistance
Date: 1.1.2003
[To:] The honorable brothers of the Jenin Charity Committee , may Allah preserve you
In re: The transfer of money
May peace be upon you, and the mercy and blessings of Allah:
To the matter at hand, we hereby inform you that the sum of 2,628 [Jordanian] dinars [about $3,730] was transferred to the brothers of the Jenin Workers’ Union7 from the brothers of the World Assembly of Muslim Youth [WAMY].8 Please give them the sum as soon as it reaches you.
Yours sincerely,
[Emblem of the UG and stamp of the Coordinating Committeeof the Northern [West-] Bank,9
Stamp of the Islamic Charitable Society Al-Tadhamun]
[Signature]
Telefax: 00970-9-2235680/1 Cellphone: 00970-59-875987
Email: eetlafp@yahoo.com
7. The transfer of funds (from charity contributions) to workers’ unions is a familiar ploy meant to strengthen Hamas’ influence among them, and to extend its power base within Palestinian society. The union in question is one of the strongest in Jenin and is affiliated with Fatah. The union is active in organizing popular demonstrations around topics related to the ongoing violent Palestinian-Israeli confrontation.
8. WAMY is a Muslim charitable organization based in Saudi Arabia and an important member of the UG. Most of its financial aid to the PA-administered territories is transferred through Hamas’ civilian infrastructure. The organization was outlawed by Israel in February 2002. This document illustrates the fact that the UG is a kind of go-between for WAMY and the Hamas-affiliated Jenin Charity Committee.
9. Through Hamas-affiliated Al-Tadhamun, UG funds are transferred to Hamas institutions in the northern West Bank, including the Jenin Charity Committee.
Appendix B (1)
Original Document
Appendix B (2)
Transfer of funds by the Union of Good to the Jenin Charity Committee through the Jenin Workers’ Union10
10. From documents found in the offices of the Jenin Charity Committee on October 19, 2003.
Translation
[Fax identifier: Al-Tadhamun Society, 18.1.2003]
Coordinating Committee Northern [West-] Bank |
The Union of Good |
[The UG’s emblem. Above it the inscription reads: “For the patient (i.e., those holding out in face of the enemy) and the supporters.” Beneath it: “For your sake, our Jerusalem.”] |
The Union of Good |
18.1.2003
Number: 1/4/9/ J
[To:] The honorable brothers at the Jenin Charity Committee, may Allah preserve you and shelter you with his protection
In re: Transfer of money
May peace be upon you, and the mercy of Allah and his blessings.
To the matter at hand: This is to inform you that we have transferred the sum of $10,000 (ten thousand dollars) to your account for the brothers of the Jenin Workers’ Union11to be used for the project of fast-breaking meals for those who have fasted. Therefore, we kindly request that you send us a receipt as soon as the funds reach your account and to transfer it to the Service Workers’ Union of Jenin.12
Copy to the Jenin Coordinating [Committee] .13
Copy to the Jenin Charitable [Society]
May Allah repay you with honor and estimation
[Emblem of the UG]
11. Fatah-affiliated.
12. A sub-division of the Jenin Workers’ Union, more grassroots and less Fatah-affiliated. Its members work in the various municipalities in the Jenin district and in offices not connected to the PA.
13. The Jenin Coordinating Committee (which belongs to the Coordinating Committee of the Northern [West-] Bank) coordinates the transfer of funds from the UG through Al-Tadhamun to the Jenin Charity Committee and other Hamas-affiliated institutions in the Jenin region.
Appendix B (2)
Appendix B (3)
A rranging contact the Jenin Charity Committee and a high-ranking Saudi official for transferring money for financing educational indoctrinational projects through the Union of Good
Translation14
[Fax identifier Al-Tadhamun, 19.4.03]
The Union of Good |
Operation of the patient and the supporters |
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Number: 2177/Kh- J/2003
Date: 17.2.1424 [since the hejira]
Gregorian date: 19.4.2003
To the beloved brothers, the Jenin Charity Committee, may Allah preserve you
May peace be upon you, and the mercy of Allah and his blessings.
We hope your deeds find favor in Allah’s eyes.
To the matter at hand: We at the Union of Good are happy to send you our thanks for the great effort you invest in helping your brothers in the blessed land.
We received from the honorable sheikh Salah bin Hussein al-‘Aa’id, the general secretary of the High Council for Islamic Affairs [in Saudi Arabia], which is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry for Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Da’wah [indoctrination] and Guidance, your blessing for arranging contact with charitable societies in Palestine [sic].15
An all-inclusive proposal should be sent to the Council by express mail to the following address:
The Saudi Arabian Kingdom / Riyadh
The High Council for Islamic Affairs
Ministry for Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Da’wah and Guidance
Telephone: 0096614730401
Please accept our respects and estimation
Allah bring success to every good deed
[Handwritten addition:] Honorable brother Ahmad Salatneh [Hamas terrorist and second in command at the Jenin Charity Committee . He was imprisoned between 1993 and 1995 for his activities in the Izzedine al-Qassam Battalions, Hamas’ terrorist-operational wing]:
Contact should be maintained with the abovementioned body regarding the allotment for projects – within the framework of [other] projects -- undertaken for the da’wah [indoctrination] and education, with the total cost of the project[s] ranging from $20,000 to $25,000.
Note: A copy of the projects you will undertake [?] should be sent to the Northern [ West Bank] Coordinating Office.16
May Allah reward you for your good deeds.
[UG emblem]
[Signature]
Samer Yussuf
Executive Director
Tel: … fax: +…-2-8859128(?) P.O, Box 136301 Jeddah 21313
www.101days.org E-mail: eetelaf@yahoo.com
15. This is proof of the Saudi Arabian policy of transferring charity funds through the UG to the charitable societies which are the central component of Hamas civilian infrastructure in the PA-administered territories. The funds are used for Hamas’ educational and da’wah system (See handwritten note).
16. A coordinating body operated by the Al-Tadhamun in Nablus through which Union of Good funds are redirected to the Jenin Charity Committee.
Appendix B (3)
Original Document
Appendix B (4)
A request to have the Union of Good deal with the transfer of money for rent for residents of the Jenin refugee camp whose houses were destroyed to the Hamas-affiliated Jenin Charity Committee
Translation17
17. From documents found in the offices of the Jenin Charity Committee on October 19, 2003.
In the name of Allah the all-merciful
Palestinian National [sic] Authority |
[Emblem of Palestinian Authority] |
Number: [none] |
Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs
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Date: [none] |
Charity Committee – Jenin District |
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Gregorian date: [none] |
To the honorable brothers of the Union of Good
May peace be upon you, and the mercy of Allah and his blessings.
The Charity Committee of the Jenin district sends you its blessings and hopes you continue to advance and succeed in performing good deeds. We ask the Almighty, may he be exalted, to purify your deeds for his sake, may he be exalted, and to weigh them on the side of mercy on Resurrection Day.
Dear brothers,
We are sending you our letter about finding a place of refuge for those whose houses were destroyed or damaged, residents of the Jenin refugee camp, since through the Committee for Humanitarian Aid18 we received from you rent for 100 apartments. Rent was paid through January 2003. After that the brother dealing with the subject of [the Committee] for [Humanitarian] Aid told us that the matter was being transferred directly to the Union [of Good]. We are therefore send you notes and additions as follows:
1. The number of owners of houses which were destroyed and who are receiving financial aid from you is one hundred, as was necessary for the months of 2/3/4-2003. Attention should be paid to the fact that some of the names have changed slightly because a certain family moved from one house to another because of existing [difficult] conditions which were not a matter of choice. In addition, one family was exchanged for another. That was done after the committee responsible examined the situation.
2. The monthly sum is 13,000 Jordanian dinars [about $18,440], which is a fairly low figure as explained by the chart because of the changes made and explained in Section 1.
3. With a view to the future – according to the data in our possession and after discussing the matter with the organizations supporting the project, especially the Red Crescent of the UAE – the problem will exist for at least six more months. Therefore, we signed an agreement with the Red Crescent of the UAE to pay the allotments until the end of December 2003, with the possibility of renewal.
Dear brothers,
We would like to draw your attention to the fact that the tragedy of these families continues. Not only that, there are many families whose houses were destroyed and there is no one to give them shelter. In the name of those who were hurt we call upon you to continue your sponsorship of this humanitarian project until all the new houses have been built.
May Allah bless you and make you a support and treasure for all mankind.
May peace be upon you, and the mercy and blessings of Allah
The Follow-Up Committee for Homeowners Whose Houses Were Destroyed [Signatures]
Committee chairman, Ahmad Salatneh [Signature of Ahmad Salatneh]
Jamil Rafiq, ‘Uthman Daoud19 [No signatures] |
[Stamp of the Palestinian National [sic] Authority Jenin, Directorship of the Zakat Fund, Jenin Region Charity Committee, Ministry of Religious Endowments and Affairs]
[Signature of Ahmad Salatneh] |
Jenin Charity Committee Administration
Ahmad Salatneh [Hamas terrorist-operative, second in command of the Jenin Charity Committee]
[Signature] |
Jenin Charity Committee. Telefax 04-2503068 E-mail: ZAKATJ@maktoob.com
18. A non-profit organization of the Israeli Islamic Movement which was closed in June 2002.
19. Apparently ‘Uthman Ahmad Muhammad ‘Ass’ad, Hamas activist, member of Jenin Charity Committee. He was wanted by the Israeli security forces and arrested in November 2004.
Appendix B (4)
Original Document
Appendix B (5)
The transfer of funds by the Union of Good to the Jenin Charity Committee20 to pay for rent in the Jenin refugee camp
20. From documents found in the offices of the Jenin Charity Committee on October 19, 2003.
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The Union of Good |
Coordinating Committee |
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[Emblem] |
Northern [West] Bank District |
In the name of Allah the all-merciful
The honorable brothers of the Jenin Charity Committee, may Allah preserve and guard them
In re: Razed houses in the Jenin [refugee] camp
May peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah and his blessings,
This is to inform you that the sum of $26,666 was transferred from the World Assembly of Muslim Youth – Eastern Division [of Saudi Arabia], as an allotment [for rent] for the landlords in the Jenin [refugee] camp.
We request that you send us a detailed assessment which will clarify how [the funds] are distributed and document the action with receipts for the sums received along with photostat copies.
May Allah repay you with all goodness
The Northern [ West Bank] Coordination [Committee]Appendix B (5)
Original Document
Appendix B (6)
The transfer of funds by the Union of Good for Hamas summer camps
Translation
The Union of Good |
Operation of the patient and the supporters |
The Union of Good |
Coordinating Committee |
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[Emblem of the UG, “For your sake, our Jerusalem”] |
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Northern [West] Bank District |
Date: 18.5.2003
In the name of Allah the all-merciful
[To:] The brothers of the Jenin Charity Committee, may Allah preserve and grant them his protection
In re: Guidance and training centers
We of the Northern [ West Bank] Coordinating Committee are happy to send you our thanks for the great efforts you invest to aid this generous people.
To the matter at hand: We request you to formulate a proposal for summer
centers21 which will be sent to the brothers at the Palestinian Fund for Aid and Development [Interpal]. The following aspects should be taken into considerations:
1. The term “summer centers” should be replaced by “guidance and training centers.”
2. The [activities of those] centers should be limited to educational, cultural and sports activities only.
3. Islamic emblems and flags should not be hung [in the centers]
| 21. The centers are summer camps organized by Hamas through the “charitable societies” and “charity committees” with contributions from funds and foundations abroad, which inculcate children and youths with ideas of terrorism and hatred for Israel, the Jewish people and the Western world. In addition, the centers are sometimes used for semi-military training. That was given coverage by the Palestinian, Arab, Israeli and most importantly, world media and created an image problem for the foreign funds and foundations which support Hamas-affiliated institutions. This document uses semantics to blur and distort the real purpose of those centers. The request was made that the camps’ activities be limited to the fields of education, culture and sport and that Islamic emblems and flags not be hung. That implies that that was the real nature of those “summer camps” and in any case, the request was never complied with. Hamas continues regarding the camps as convenient centers for the training and indoctrination of cadres of future Palestinian terrorists. |  |
We request that in light of the current embarrassing situation of the [charitable] societies in Europe22 that you commit yourselves to the aforementioned. The letters in both Arabic and English should reach us not later than tomorrow, Monday, in the morning.
Please accept our respects and estimation
Allah performs every good deed.
The Northern [ West Bank] Coordination Office
[Emblem of the UG]
Telefax: 00970-9-2235680/1 Cellphone: 00970-59-875987 Email: eetlafp@yahoo.com22.The true nature of the Hamas-affiliated summer camps: a picture which appeared on July 15, 2001, in an article about the camps in the weekly magazine Al-Rissalah, which follows the Hamas line and the Islamic radical trend in the PA-administered territories. The pictures and subsequent large-scale media coverage were the reason for the “embarrassing situation” in which the European funds and foundations which support the Hamas-affiliated summer camps found themselves [at a time when such organizations are subject to increasingly close scrutiny].
Appendix B (6)
Original Document
Another example of Hamas’ use of summer camps to instill in Palestinian youth ideas of hatred of Jews, Israelis and the Western world, and the use of terrorism against them: a picture of a boy reading a poem from a program on the “summer camps” broadcast on Palestinian TV, July 22, 2001.
Translation of the poem |
| “I dedicate this poem to the prisoners, martyrs and the wounded / oh, nation, oh, my people, make your roar and the sounds of thunder heard / strike the rock, explode, stop the soldiers’ advance / make your scream of anger heard by everyone everywhere / [for] they planted the [Jewish] enemy amongst us from the days of Solomon and David / they are our treacherous enemy / who does not honor treaties and does not recognize the truth / Jerusalem, ask us and we will sacrifice our souls [for you] / today we have been redeemed and bound the wound with shrouds / the decision is in our hands, our only possession / but [Israeli Prime Minister Ariel] Sharon, Sharon is intoxicated with power / perhaps, perhaps he will learn a lesson he will never be able to forget / we have a leader [the late Arafat] and the entire nation is with him / he commands and all the youth are his redemption / you, mother, make songs of mourning heard / torches will light the way until we have achieved our purpose, until we have achieved our purpose, until we have achieved our purpose. |
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Appendix B (7)
Ttransfer of financial aid from the Union of Good for an Islamic center in the Jenin refugee camp through a high-ranking Hamas member (imprisoned by Israel)
Translation
In the name of Allah the all-merciful
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The Union of Good
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[ Emblem of the UG] |
The Hundred and One Day fund-raising drive to alleviate the distress of the Palestinian people and support for its firm resistance
Request for aid for the project
Information about the institution presenting the request:
Name: The Islamic Center, Jenin refugee camp .23 Registration number: (mosque) [Parentheses in the original]
Body issuing the registration: [left blank]. Year of registration: 2001
Address of institution: Jenin refugee camp, Jenin, Palestine [sic].
23. The Islamic Center in the Jenin refugee camp is affiliated with the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ). It has a mosque (currently being built, January 2005), library, meeting hall and offices. Prominent among the activists associated with the Center are the son of sheikh Ahmad Mahmoud Tawalbeh, a popular and admired senior PIJ terrorist-operative in Jenin who was behind many suicide bombing attacks in Israel and who died during Operation Defensive Shield (April 2002). Following his death, his short life has been commemorated by several books which have made him the most revered figure in Palestinian martyrology
Telephone no.: 2503067
Fax no.: 2503067
Email: [left blank]
Area of institution’s activity: mosque, center for Qur'an memorization (men and women), public library.
Geographic areas profiting from the institution’s activity: the Jenin refugee camp and Al-Zaharaa quarter in the city of Jenin.
Contact person: Ibrahim ‘Ali Hassan Jaber [high-ranking Hamas member in Jenin, in Israeli custody since 2002]. Job description at institution: Secretary of the building committee
Number of individuals profiting from the institution’s services: Fourteen thousand (residents of the Jenin refugee camp and al-Zaharaa quarter).
Institution’s organizational structure
Head of the building committee: Jamal Amin Shalabi
Chairman of the committee: Ibrahim ‘Ali Hassan Jaber
Fund chairman: Muhammad Salem Jamahneh
Four additional members.
Goals of the institution:
1. To build a mosque big enough to contain a large number of worshippers.
2. To take part in returning the mosque to its [former] role as enlightening [with] knowledge, da’wah and culture for both men and women.
3. To create centers for Qur'an memorization for men and women and thereby participating in the service of Allah’s book and its memorization.
4. To provide a comprehensive library to serve all the employees and especially school children and university students.
Final cost for project
No. |
Item |
Cost ($) |
SSalaries |
Participation |
Human resources |
1. |
Blueprints and engineering supervision |
28,000 |
28,000 |
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6 engineers and technicians |
2. |
Razing and removal of existing structure |
6,000 |
6,000 |
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5 bulldozer and truck drivers |
3. |
Excavating basement and foundations |
7,000 |
7,000 |
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10 bulldozer and truck drivers, and workmen |
4. |
Building basement and foundations |
55,000 |
25,000 |
--- |
15 construction workers |
5. |
Temporary ceiling, 300 sq. m. |
17,000 |
8,500 |
--- |
5 construction workers |
6. |
Vaulted ceiling and dome for mosque |
72,000 |
35,000 |
--- |
30 construction workers |
7. |
Mosque minaret 20 m. in height |
10,000 |
6,000 |
--- |
4 construction workers |
8. |
Plaster, electricity, plumbing, flooring, painting, doors and windows |
140,000 |
70,000 |
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80 technicians and workmen |
Total |
335,000 |
335,000 |
185,500 |
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Budget for project
Item |
Total cost |
Participation of institution |
Participation of local population |
Necessary funds |
Plans and engineering supervision |
28,000 |
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14,000 |
14,000 |
Razing and removal work |
13,000 |
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3,000 |
10,000 |
Construction of skeleton – concrete and blocks |
154,000 |
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14,000 |
140,000 |
Completion |
140,000 |
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10,000 |
130,000 |
Total |
335,000 |
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41,000 |
294,000 |
Information on the project
Name of project: Islamic Center – Jenin refugee camp
Area of activity: [left blank]
Location of project: Jenin refugee camp
Approximate time necessary to execute project (no more than 101 days)
No. |
Item |
Requirements |
Cost |
Time needed |
No. of workmen |
1. |
Blueprints |
Building, civil engineering and electricity |
9,000 |
7 days |
6 engineers |
2. |
Razing and removing existing structure |
Readying site |
6,000 |
7 days |
5 bulldozer and truck drivers |
3. |
Excavating basement and foundations |
Preparing site for construction |
7,000 |
3 days |
10 bulldozer and truck drivers, and construction workers |
4. |
Constructing foundations and basement |
Foundation and basement ceiling, 600 sq. m. |
55,000 |
15 days |
15 construction workers |
5. |
Temporary ceiling |
Pouring concrete, 300 sq. m. |
17,000 |
7 days |
5 construction workers |
6. |
Vaulted ceiling and dome of mosque |
Pouring concrete, 900 sq. m. |
72,000 |
30 days |
30 construction workers |
7. |
Constructing minaret |
20 meters |
10,000 |
During work |
4 construction workers |
8. |
Completion |
All details of post-construction completion |
140,000 |
With construction, 33 days |
80 technicians and workmen |
9. |
Engineering supervision |
Throughout construction |
19,000 |
Throughout construction |
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Total |
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335,000 |
101 days |
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Project goals:
1. To build a mosque big enough to contain a large number of worshippers.
2. To take part in returning the mosque to its [former] role as enlightening [with] knowledge, da’wah and culture for both men and women.
3. To create centers for Qur'an memorization for men and women and thereby participating in the service of Allah’s book and its memorization.
4. To provide a comprehensive library to serve all the employees and especially school children and university students.
5. To employ approximately 150 laborers at a time when jobs are scarce.
The institution’s financial state:
With what sums can the institution participate in the project? _________
What was the institution’s budget during the last [fiscal] year? __________
(Please include a copy of the 2000 budget)
Does the institution employ an external auditor? Yes_____ No _____
If yes, name: _____________________________________________
Is there internal financial auditing at the institution? Explain: ______________
________________________________________________________________
Reasons for project:
1. A densely populated area with many worshippers.
2. Lack of sufficient appropriate public facilities in the Jenin refugee camp and neighboring regions.
3. Provision of employment during the construction period.
4. The existing structure is flimsy and unstable.
Background:
An increase in worshippers and a small number of public facilities in the refugee camp, an increase in the number of unemployed and the flimsiness of the existing structure.
Those who will profit from the project:23
1. The worshippers.
2. School children and university students.
3. Various professionals.
4. The citizens in general.
Problems the project will solve:
1. The insufficient room for worshippers.
2. Insufficient facilities in the refugee camp.
3. Participation in solving the current problem of unemployment.
Steps to be taken to achieve results:
1. Blueprints.
2. Tenders for various professional services.
3. Beginning and continuing construction.
4. Completing construction.
Important notes:
1. We request a copy of the project on a computer disk.
2. Priority will be given to projects serving the public and employing a large number of:
A. Laborers affected by the closure and blockade.
B. University students.
23. In addition, Hamas will most likely profit, since in all probability the project will increase its influence and standing among the local population.
Appendix B (7)
Original Document
