Abubakar Islamic Center Minneapolis Receives Record Support and a Spike in Monetary Support at Convention despite Controversy and Supposed links to Al-Shabaab

 

Abubakar Islamic Center Minneapolis Receives Record Support and a Spike in Monetary Support at Convention despite Controversy and Supposed links to Al-Shabaab.  Published 07/02/2009 –

Despite a tumultuous year, the Abubakar Islamic Center  mosque saw increased attendance at this year’s convention and a spike in monetary support. Since last fall, the mosque has come under fire for the “missing youth” debacle, a connection that the mosque administrators and its supporters continue to deny. People close to the mosque did not believe the annual event would occur this year, they feared that the need to address the allegations would distract the administration and volunteers from organizing the convention. But after successfully meeting fundraising goals and having a record attendance with the help of 200 volunteers, the Abubakar community believes it maintains the trust and love of the Somali community. “This crowd and their energy is a testimony to their commitment to the mosque and its respected leaders,” attendee Ali Abdi said.

The only wrinkle on the conference was keynote speaker, Sheikh Mustafa Harun, being denied entry to the United States upon landing at Newark airport. He ultimately addressed the audience via webcam the following day.  Other speakers included imams from around the U.S. including Minnesota, among them Sheikh Abdirahman Sheikh Omar, Sheikh Abdirizak Hashi, Sheikh Jamel Bin Ameur, and others. The convention also included a fundraising component. In a little over an hour, participants pledged $150,000 to help cover expenses incurred over the construction of the second floor of the mosque, as well as to jump-start the next phase of development.  Founding member Abdulaziz M. Sugule says this vision for a mosque comprehensively serving the community started over a decade ago.

Abdulaziz M. Sugule is also the president of a Phoenix AZ money transmitting co, OLYMPIC FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. aka  Ramad Financial Services Inc. a Money Transmitting Company, 5034 E. McDowell Rd, Phoenix, AZ  see info below.

Federal agents raided three Minneapolis money transfer businesses that mainly serve the Somali community in April 2009, seeking records of financial transactions to several African and Middle East countries.

The businesses are Qaran Express and Aaran Financial, both in the Karmel Mall, near W. Lake Street and Pillsbury Avenue S., and North American Money Transfer Inc., also known as Mustaqbal Express, at the Village Market Mall, at E. 24th Street and Chicago Avenue S..

The search warrant executed at North American Money Transfer;

• originated in the Eastern District of Missouri and was filed under seal on April 3.
• It states that FBI agents were seeking any documentation regarding money sent to “any person, business or entity where such transfers were destined for locations in: Somalia, Eritrea, Kenya, Sudan, Ethiopia, Djibouti, and United Arab Emirates” between January 2007 and the present.
• North American Money Transfer is based in Atlanta GA and has locations in Washington, Arizona, Minnesota, Missouri, Tennessee, Ohio, North Carolina and Georgia.  The FBI investigation has also been active in Seattle WA; Columbus, Ohio; Cincinnati OH; Boston MA; and San Diego.
• Its Mustaqbal Express location in the Village Market Mall is one of five Minnesota branches and it serves as the central headquarters for money sent from the other locations across the country.

According to the company’s website, North American Money Transfer, it has been in business since 1999. “With our partnership of African Horn, one of the largest network in money transfer services, we are able to deliver your money to regions around the world where traditional financial institutions do not exist,” says the website.  Abdirahman Omar, the general manager of Mustaqbal Express, was opening up shop at 9:30 a.m. when about 15 agents arrived. They spent about 5 hours combing through records and interviewing employees, Omar said.

“They were collecting every receipt, money wires and banking statements,” Omar said. “It’s been confusion and nervousness all day.” Omar said his location also houses a computer sales and repair shop and an income tax service. He’s not sure why his location was targeted, but recalled a raid at the company’s branch in St. Louis about a year ago.  Missing men…….…..Over the past few months, more than a dozen people within the Somali community have been subpoenaed to testify before a grand jury. Dozens more have been questioned.

1). ABUBAKAR AS-SADDIQUE ISLAMIC CENTER
Tax Exempt/NonProfit Organization Information.

ABUBAKAR AS-SADDIQUE ISLAMIC CENTER
2824 13TH AVE S
MINNEAPOLIS, MN  55407-1418

In Care Of Name (the officer, director, etc. to whose attention any correspondence should be directed), ABDULAZIZ SUGULE

2). Dugsi Academy St. Paul MN links to Abdulaziz M. Sugule and ABUBAKAR AS-SADDIQUE ISLAMIC CENTER

Board Meeting: 4:00 pm, Tuesday, Sept 2, 2008

Griggs Midway Building – 1821 University Ave W., St. Paul Minutes
Members in attendance: Saeed Fahia, Mohamud, Abdulkadir Osman,Wendy Weimer, and Mohamed Osman,

ABSENT: Abdulaziz M. Sugule, Abdighani Ali, Mohamud Muse

School financial updates – Pam Young distributed and reviewed the financials for July 31, 2008. There is an all funds surplus of $62,133. Fund 01 revenue exceeded expense by $64,891, Fund 02 has a negative balance of ($2,757) Dugsi had a cash balance of $349,673 at the end of July. Pam shared that the audit would take place next week. Pam will send requirements and how to apply for the financial award for November.

3). OLYMPIC FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.aka  Ramad Money a Money Transmitting Company President ABDULAZIZ M. SUGULE Phoenix AZ.

325 CEDAR AVE S #7

MINNEAPOLIS,  MN  55454

Foreign Address

C/O IBRAHIM HASSAN

5034 E MCDOWELL RD

PHOENIX,  AZ  85008

Officer Information

ABDULAZIZ M SUGULE PRESIDENT 11803 ZUMBROFA ST NE MINNEAPOLIS,MN 55449 Date of Taking Office: 10/05/2007 Last Updated: 05/06/2009

 

4).  ABDULAZIZ SUGULE files lawsuit agasint the USA, USA Attorney, Homeland Security and the FBI.

Abdulaziz M. Sugule and AMS & Associates, Inc. MN

AMS & Associates, Inc Tax Return Preparation Services Companies in Minnesota

 

Plaintiffs:	Abdulaziz M. Sugule and AMS & Associates, Inc.
Defendants:	Denise Frazier, Gerard Heinauer, Emilio Gonzales, Alberto R. Gonzales, Michael Chertoff (Homeland Security) and Robert S Mueller (FBI)
Case Number:	0:2007cv03199
Filed:	July 2, 2007
Court:	Minnesota District Court
Office:	DMN Office [ Court Info ]
County:	Hennepin
Presiding Judge:	Donovan W. Frank
Referring Judge:	Arthur J. Boylan
Nature of Suit:	Other Statutes – Other Statutory Actions
Cause:	28:1361 Petition for Writ of Mandamus
Jurisdiction:	U.S. Government Defendant
Jury Demanded By:	None