Qatar Regulates Charities After Western Concern Over Islamic State Funding

Qatar has issued a new law to regulate charities in the Gulf state amid growing concern in the West over funding received by Islamic State militants.

Local media said the Qatari ruler, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, approved the law on Monday aimed at charity organisations involved in politics, as well as those that sent money abroad or received foreign financing.

The Peninsula, an English language newspaper in Doha, said charities that defied the regulators could be shut down. Those violating the law also faced up to three years in jail and a QAR100,000 ($27,464) fine, it said.

The U.S. has expressed concern over funds flowing from Arab states to Islamic State militants, who have seized large swathes of Syria and Iraq, and have urged countries to tighten rules preventing individuals from sending them money.

Qatar has faced growing criticism, as the tiny Gulf state has used its hydrocarbon wealth to back a wide range of Islamists across the region.

Last month, German Development Minister Gerd Mueller accused Qatar of financing Islamic State militants — a charge the Gulf state has denied.

Last week, 10 Arab states, including Qatar, agreed to do more to stop the flow of funds and fighters to Islamic State and help rebuild communities “brutalised” by the group.