Qatari RAF Humanitarian Fund Sponsors Terrorism

Qatar's charitable foundations were suspected of supporting terrorism.  The list of “suspicious” organizations included Sheikh Ida Al Thani's charitable organization, which has been operating since 1995, as well as one of the five largest charitable foundations in the world, Sheikh Tani bin Abdallah's Humanitarian Services Organization (RAF).

 The authorities of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt published a single list of 59 individuals and 12 legal entities suspected of involvement in terrorist activities.  Among these organizations were indicated charitable foundations.

 A joint statement by the Arab countries states that Qatar’s actions in violation of its obligations include supporting and harboring elements and organizations that threaten the national security of other states.  Doha on this basis was accused of conducting a two-faced policy.

 The Sheikh Ibn Abdullah Thani Foundation for Humanitarian Services 

(مؤسسةالشيخثانيبنعبداللهللخدماتالإنسانية), abbreviated as RAF (راف) is a Qatari foundation based on al-Thani family.

 The Fund provides humanitarian assistance and promotes the social development of all sectors of Qatari society without discrimination.

 RAF is also active in places controlled by groups that are widely considered terrorists.  The RAF has made millions of dollars on several projects in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip since 2007. In addition, the RAF has subsidized millions of projects in Idlib, Syria, as the governate fell into the hands of opposition forces.  Ahrara al-Sham, the army of Conquest, and al-Qaeda affiliated Jabhat al-Nusra were working in Idlib during the work of the RAF.

 At the end of 2014, the Telegraph announced that al-Nusra's designated fundraising Shafi al-Ajmi asked donors to direct their funds to the RAF.  Arifi also reportedly appeared on the RAF under the auspices of the Ramadan festival "honoring a number of hard lines and extremists."