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Friday Bulletin
The Muslim News Update
Jamada al Akhir 18, 1427/July 14, 2006
Western Union is proving not to be the fastest money transfer services after all-at least
where Muslims are concerned. The money transfer service is now delaying and in some
cases entirely blocking cash deliveries to recipients who have Muslim names.
The new policy which has frustrated thousands of people in the Middle East and several
African countries is part of the war on terror and as has been the norm, Muslims are the
worst affected.
The head of marketing at Western Union Benson Wanyoike confirmed that the policy is
firmly in place in the country. He told The Friday Bulletin that the company was following a
directive by the United States to prevent funding to what the US claims terrorist funding. It is
not a matter of the company policy but an issue of compliance, he said.
A company offical Simon Njoroge said that the flagged transactions are matched with names
on a US watch list of terrorist suspects and if it proves to be positive the funds are blocked.
A frustrated customer complained to The Friday Bulletin that he was asked to produce
documented evidence about his name, date and place of birth before the funds were wired
to the recipient.
In most cases the funds are delayed for some hours while in extreme cases they are
blocked entirely. The most vulnerable names include Muhammad, Ahmed and Ibrahim.
The Middle East has been particularly hit hard. In one example, an Indian driver said Western
Union prevented him from sending US$120 to a friend at home this month because the
recipients name was Muhammad.
Western Union told me that if I send money to Sahir Muhammad, the money will be blocked
because of his name, said 36-year-old Abdul Rahman Maruthayil, who later sent the money
through UAE Exchange, a Dubai-based money transfer service.
In a similar case, Pakistani Qadir Khan said Western Union blocked his attempt this month
to wire money to his brother, Muhammad, for a cataract operation. Every Muhammad is a
terrorist now? Khan asked.
Responding to complaints, US Treasury spokeswoman Molly Millerwise said frustrations
endured by those with certain names were necessary. We have an obligation to do all we
can to keep money out of the hands of terrorists, she said.
The US based company has bowed to pressure from the American Treasury Department to
delay or blocks transfers between customers whose names even partially match names of
Continued on Page 2
This Newsletter contains some of Allahs names. Please do not throw in the trash. Either keep,circulate or shred.
day. Yet it is these five minutes spread in the 24-hour period that
have generated resentment by the likes of Kurt Burk.
It is a common phenomenon in urban and rural areas to hear
deafening chants accompanied by music resonating from places
of worship. These events reach their climax on weekends and
sometimes stretch through the night but have rarely attracted any
complaint.
Yet the sounds of the adhan are treated with annoyance
and attempts to gag the Islamic prayer call continue to
flourish. Such attempts will only contribute to straining
harmonious relations between Muslims and other
religious faiths which have remained strong over the
years.
The government has a duty to ensure that this constitutionally
enshrined freedom is upheld. More so, the Kikambala issue
should be revisited and the State should ensure that justice
prevails.
We are in the midst of circus of foreigners who have trampled on
the countrys justice system and it should not let another foreigner
let circumvent the rule of the law through questionable
circumstances.
editorial
by Isa Al-Busnawi
Islamic Lecture
Fortnight Lecture
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