Franco-German documentary reveals Qatar’s money laundering in Europe
September 27, 2019, 12:48 pm

Franco-German documentary reveals Qatar’s money laundering in Europe

Qatar has been accused of using charitable institutions to fund extremism in Europe in a new documentary released by Arte Channel. (Shutterstock).

Qatar has been accused of using charitable institutions to fund extremism in Europe in a new documentary released by Arte Channel, a Franco-German free-to-air television network that promotes cultural programming.

The documentary, which premiered on September 17, showcases how Qatari royals and officials have been laundering money and funding the Muslim Brotherhood and other terrorist organizations in European countries including Italy, France, Germany, and the UK.

Documents leaked to journalists Georges Malbrunot and Christian Chesnot reveal in detail how Qatar Charity, an NGO founded in 1992 and active today in seventy countries, has been used to finance the Muslim Brotherhood. The journalists were given the documents – evidence of bank transfers, emails, and other information - on a hard drive by a whistleblower.

The documentary alleges that Qatari officials have been laundering money to members of terrorist organizations under the guise of sponsoring mosques, Islamic centers and schools. The list of donors includes Qatari royal family members Mohammed bin Hamad Al Thani, Saud Jassim Ahmed Al Thani, and Khalid bin Hamad bin Abdullah Al Thani.

Qatar Charity’s largest project is “Centre An-Nour” (An-Nour Center) in Mulhouse, France. The center includes a two-story mosque, classrooms, a library, a restaurant, a halal market, a swimming pool, and a medical center.

According to the documentary, the center cost €28 million ($30 million) to build. Nasser al-Qadi, the president of the France-based Association of Muslim Alsace (AMAL) who administer the center, told Malbrunot and Chesnot that AMAL had received more than half of the project’s budget from Qatar Charity.

The documentary also features Chesnot reviewing official Qatar Charity documents with Director of the Program on Extremism at George Washington University Lorenzo G. Vidino. They note that the organization funded various projects in the Welsh city of Swansea, the French cities of Mulhouse and Strasbourg, as well as London, Berlin and Luxembourg.

Chesnot and Vidino also reviewed a letter signed on behalf of one the Muslim Brotherhood’s spiritual leaders Yusuf al-Qaradawi, calling on organizations to fund the construction of a mosque in Milan.

The journalists met with Qatar Charity under the guise that they were potential investors. Using hidden cameras, they filmed an official who told them that the organization has been funding projects in Europe, and was looking to fund a big project in London.

Qatar Charity has since stopped responding to any inquiries by Arte Channel.

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.