by Jules Gomes, Mere Matchlight
Charity Complains of Unfair Coverage
The Royal Mint has sparked outrage after agreeing to donate profits from the sales of specially created Kaaba gold bars to Islamic Relief UK (IRUK), a U.K.-based charity that has, however,been designated as a terrorist organization by the United Arab Emirates.
IRUK’s affiliate, Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW), which the UAE has also designated as a terrorist organization, has been described by the U.S. State Department as promoting “blatant and horrifying” antisemitism. Israel banned IRW from operating in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank, citing alleged ties to Hamas, a terrorist organization that seeks Israel’s destruction.
Lawyers for IRW told Focus on Western Islamism (FWI) that “the allegation Islamic Relief is linked to any terrorist or Islamist group, quite apart from being (clearly) defamatory of Islamic Relief, as well as its Trustees and officers as representatives of the Charity, is completely untrue.”
For its part, the Royal Mint seems oblivious to the controversy. “I’m proud to continue The Royal Mint’s partnership with Islamic Relief UK for Ramadan,” Andrew Dickey, Director of Precious Metals at The Royal Mint, said, adding, “This holy month is a time of giving, and we’re delighted to support the charity’s vital work through our sales donations and event auctions.”
The gold bars, weighing 20 grams each, start at £2,669.61 and carry an engraving of the Kaaba—the square stone building at the center of the Great Mosque in Mecca, which Muslims consider the “house of God” (Baytullah) and toward which they must face when praying.