Whoopsie from Ann Arbor, MI ..

Targets of raid resign from Muslim Hidaya group

The two Pittsfield Township men whose homes were raided by federal agents in a criminal investigation involving a Southfield-based Islamic charity have ended their affiliations with a group that is planning to build a new mosque in the Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti area. Khalil Jassemm was president and Mujahid Al-Fayadh was a fundraiser and project manager for the Hidaya Community Center. They both resigned and Walayat Khan took over as acting president, Khan said Monday. He said Jassemm and Al-Fayadh resigned Sunday in "a mutual decision'' with the board.

Khan said Jassemm said he didn't want to be president "until his name is cleared by the FBI.'' He said Al-Fayadh had only worked with the Hidaya Community Center for two months.

Jassemm confirmed this morning he did resign but declined further comment. Al-Fayadh couldn't be reached for comment. Al-Fayadh, when contacted at his home last Saturday about his involvement in the charity, had referred all questions to his lawyer.

Islamophobia?

Jassemm is chief executive officer and Al-Fayadh is founder and a board member of the Life For Relief and Development charity. Agents seized $134,000 cash, including $76,568 found in a Meijer shopping bag, in Al-Fayadh's home according to the court filings obtained by a Detroit newspaper. They also seized Iraqi military decorations, a computer, photographs, videotapes and fundraising brochures.

The FBI has said only that warrants were executed as part of a criminal investigation. No one has been arrested or charged.