Islamic Center of Boca Raton (ICBR)
Boca Raton, FL
Al Qaeda
Ibrahim Dremali co-founded the Islamic Center of Boca Raton (ICBR) in 1998 and served as imam for the next 7 years at the center.[1] The ICBR co-sponsored an October 2000 rally during which Hezbollah flags were present and participants chanted, "with jihad we'll claim our land, Zionist blood will wet the sand."[2] According to an Islam Online account, during the rally Dremali "urged the crowd not to be sad for those who were martyred and not to be afraid to die for what they believe in."[3] Following this, the crowd joined in a mock funeral procession chanting, "Haya 'ala al-jihad (live for the jihad)."[4]
Dremali has also testified on behalf of Adham Amin Hassoun, who once visited the ICBR,[5] at an August 1, 2002 bail hearing during which Dremali spoke about Hassoun's "peaceful and generous," character.[6] Hassoun and several others, including "dirty bomber" Jose Padilla, were charged with financial support and recruitment for Al Qaeda and other terrorist groups.[7] In August 2007, a federal jury convicted Hassoun, Padilla, and others with conspiracy to murder individuals overseas and providing material support to terrorists.[8] Hassoun was sentenced to life in prison in January 2008.[9] In a separate civil action lawsuit, a judge also found that Hassoun was part of a plot that included assassination and material support to terrorists and that he was a member of al-Gama'at al-Islamiyya (IG), a designated terrorist organization.[10]
In addition to Dremali' support for Hassoun, he has also vocalized support for a designated al-Qaeda front group, the Global Relief Foundation (GRF).[11] According to the Department of Treasury press release, the Global Relief Foundation (GRF) has connections to and has provided assistance to Osama Bin Laden, the al Qaeda network and other terrorist groups.[12] Members of the ICBR reportedly raised a little over $16,500 for GRF in 2001.[13] Dremali is reported to have said that he was convinced GRF does humanitarian work and that he does not believe that "they have anything to do with terrorism."[14] Dremali told the Florida Sun Sentinal that he believed the federal government froze assets of the foundation merely because it was an Islamic charity without any evidence tying it to terrorism.[15] Records also show GRF donated $600,000 to the ICBR in January 2000.[16]
See: US v. Jose Padilla, et al.
See: Treasury Department Designation of the Global Relief Foundation
[1] "Biography of Dr. Ibrahim Abdelrahman Dremali," http://web.archive.org/web/20070103061029/www.dremali.com/ibrahim-abdelrahman-dremali-biography/index.php (accessed June 9, 2010).
[2] Um Ahmad, "South Florida Protest Calls for Jihad," Islam Online, October 18, 2000, http://web.archive.org/web/20020620000550/http://www.islam-online.net/iol-english/dowalia/news-2000-Oct-18/topnews4.asp (accessed May 18, 2009).
[3] Um Ahmad, "South Florida Protest Calls for Jihad," Islam Online, October 18, 2000, http://web.archive.org/web/20020620000550/http://www.islam-online.net/iol-english/dowalia/news-2000-Oct-18/topnews4.asp (accessed May 18, 2009).
[4] Um Ahmad, "South Florida Protest Calls for Jihad," Islam Online, October 18, 2000, http://web.archive.org/web/20020620000550/http://www.islam-online.net/iol-english/dowalia/news-2000-Oct-18/topnews4.asp (accessed May 18, 2009).
[5] Aaron, Shea, "Critics Questioning Boca Mosque's Past Ties," Boca Raton News, April 27, 2003.
[6] Adham Amin Hassoun v. John Ashcroft, "Petition for Habeas Corpus and Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief," No. 02-23576, Civ-Moore (S.D. Fla. November 18, 2002).
[7] USA v. Adham Amin Hassoun, 04-CR-60001, "Superseding Indictment," (S.D. Fla. November 17, 2005).
[8] USA v. Adham Amin Hassoun, 04-CR-60001, "Verdict," (S.D. Fla. August 16, 2007).
[9] USA v. Adham Amin Hassoun, 04-CR-60001, "Judgment and Sentence," (S.D. Fla. January 22, 2008).
[10]Adham Amin Hassoun v. John Ashcroft," Petition for Habeas Corpus and Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief," No. 02-23576, Civ-Moore (S.D. Fla. November 18, 2002).
[11] "Treasury Department Designation of Global Relief Foundation," U.S. Treasury Department Press Release, October 18, 2002.
[12] "Treasury Department Designation of Global Relief Foundation," U.S. Treasury Department Press Release, October 18, 2002.
[13] Pedro Ruz Gutierrez and Jim Leusner, "Charities Accused Of Aiding Terror Collected $1.9 Million;
Crackdowns Confusing To Contributors," Florida Sun Sentinel, January 6, 2002.
[14] Pedro Ruz Gutierrez and Jim Leusner, "Charities Accused Of Aiding Terror Collected $1.9 Million;
Crackdowns Confusing To Contributors," Florida Sun Sentinel, January 6, 2002.
[15] Pedro Ruz Gutierrez and Jim Leusner, "Charities Accused Of Aiding Terror Collected $1.9 Million;
Crackdowns Confusing To Contributors," Florida Sun Sentinel, January 6, 2002.
[16] http://www.grf.org accessed through http://www.archive.org.
