Association of Indian Muslims in America refutes charges.
By Deepak Chitnis
WASHINGTON, DC: The Association of Indian Muslims of America (AIM) has come under fire for allegedly conducting fundraisers and sending money to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in India, a clear violation of US laws which prohibit non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations from raising funds foreign and/or domestic political parties.
Now, some a movement by some individuals is being organized online to bring the AIM’s actions to the attention of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), with a Tax-Exempt Organization Complaint (Referral) Form having been filed against them.
That form, which was shared with The American Bazaar, says “The Association of Indian Muslims of America (AIM) have been reaching out to both members and non-members, through traditional and social media, to endorse, campaign and raise funds for the Aam Aadmi party – an active political party based in India. Supporting documentation including AIM advertisement in ‘The Milli Gazette’ in [Februrary] 2014 and other news about their support is attached.”
The tax referral, which was filed on February 3, does not identify who wrote and filed it – instead, the check box option that says “I am concerned that I might face retaliation or retribution if my identity is disclosed” is marked.
Kaleem Kawaja, the Executive Director of AIM, spoke with The American Bazaar to clear the air regarding the growing scandal.
Kawaja maintained that his organization had written an open letter in certain Indian American periodicals around the country, encouraging Indian-origin Muslims to support AAP if they could, because AIM appreciates the party’s anti-corruption stance and believes it will be kinder to religious minorities in India.
Although he did not answer further questions regarding the matter and was adamant that AIM does support AAP, Kawaja said that AIM has not organized any fundraising and has not sent any money to the party.
“We did write a letter to India Abroad, but as far as sending money to Aam Aadmi, that is not true,” said Kawaja. Instead, he said, AIM has asked Muslims in India as well as those in the US to support the party however they can. As an organization, however, Kawaja said the AIM has not done anything illegal.
AIM is based in Silver Spring, Maryland, just outside of Washington, DC. The organization has been in existence for over 25 years, and does a lot of work in India to help Muslims in need. These activities include creating a polytechnic institute in New Delhi to help poor Muslim women receive vocational training, creating the AIM Education Fund to help low-income Muslims all across India, and establishing the AIM Industrial Training Institute (IIT) in Ahmadabad, to help poor Muslim youth get educated and find jobs.
To contact the author, email to deepakchitnis@americanbazaaronline.com