Closing Arguments Begin in Islamic Charity Case

Federal prosecutors in a Dallas courtroom began their closing arguments in the trial against the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development, claiming that the Islamic charity hid its ties to terrorism from everyone but sympathizers, reports the Houston Chronicle.

“Its role was to raise money for Hamas,” said prosecutor Barry Jonas. “They brought in speakers where Hamas was the theme of the day, and they sent their money to Hamas-controlled organizations.”

The five defendants are accused of using the Holy Land Foundation, once the largest Muslim charity in America, to send $12.4-million of “material support and resources” to Hamas, a Palestinian organization that the United States has designated a terrorist group. The defendants say they are not guilty of the charges.

“This case is about providing charity, and it is also about how Holy Land never gave a single dime to an individual or charity that the United States government said it ought not to,” said Nancy Hollander, a lawyer for the defense.