An organisation linked to Maulana Masood Azhar’s Jaish-e Mohammed (JEM) a Pakistan-based terrorist organisation has been soliciting donations to help Rohingya refugees according to a reputable source in the region who wishes to remain anonymous.
The organisation, the Al Rehmat Trust, headed by Azhar, is purportedly a charitable organisation but is a front for the JEM.
According to the US Treasury, Al Rehmat Trust has provided support for militant activities in Afghanistan and Pakistan, including financial and logistical support to foreign fighters operating in both countries.
The Al Rehmat Trust has also been involved in fundraising for JEM, including for militant training and indoctrination at its mosques and madrassas. As of early 2009, al Rehmat Trust had initiated a donation program in Pakistan to help support families of militants who had been arrested or killed. Moreover, in early 2007, al Rehmat Trust was raising funds on behalf of Khudam-ul Islam, an alias for JEM. Al Rehmat Trust has also provided financial support and other services to the Taliban, including financial support to wounded Taliban fighters from Afghanistan.
It remains unclear how donations solicited by the Trust will be used.
Mizzima has obtained a copy of the Al Rehmat Trust advertisement for collecting the donations.