Tue, 18 Nov, 2014 12:10:49 AM Inclusion of Islamic Congregation translation error Association leader denies terrorism link FTimes - STT Report, Nov. 18  Suomen islamilainen yhdyskunta (Finnish Islamic Association). File Photo Lehtikuva. Another Islamic group in the country, Suomen islamilainen yhdyskunta (Finnish Islamic Association), has been included in the United Arab Emirates (UA) list of groups suspected of terrorism activities, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
On Sunday, it emerged that the Finnish Islamic Congregation, a group entirely comprised of Finnish Tatars, had been included in the list by mistake, due to a translation error.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been in contact with the Finnish security police regarding the inclusion of Finnish Islamic Association in the list.
Founded in 1987, the association has over 1,500 members and is the second largest Islamic community in the country.
The UAE has not pointed out the reason for naming the association in the list.
“They are indicating financing terrorism or training, but they did not identify what are the reasons with regard to this Finnish organisation,” said Vesa Häkkinen from the ministry.
The matter will be discussed with the UAE authorities, said Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja.
Abdi-Hakim Yasin, foreign affairs secretary of the Suomen islamilainen yhdyskunta (Finnish Islamic Association). File Photo Lehtikuva. According to Tuomioja, Finnish authorities are best placed to assess whether there are organisations in Finland with links to terrorism.
Speaking in Brussels, the minister said there is no indication whatsoever from the authorities regarding this kind of information.
According to Tuomioja, other Nordic countries have raised the same questions. Groups in Sweden and Norway have also been included in the same UAE list.
Tuomioja said it will be seen whether the Nordic countries will cooperate in this matter.
The Finnish Islamic Association on its part has expressed surprise at being named in the list.
Abdi-Hakim Yasin, who is responsible for issues related to the association’s foreign affairs, said the group’s leadership does not have a clue to how the association ended up on the list.
“We are really surprised that we have ended up on such a list. We turn to authorities to find out the basis for these accusations,” said Yasin.
Yasin said the association will also discuss the matter with the security police.
He said the association does not have any links whatsoever with the Muslim Brotherhood.
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