I hadn't heard of this book before I read this column by Mark Steyn. From what Steyn says, Cambridge University Press has recalled all the unsold copies of this 2006 book and asked libraries around the world to take the book off their shelves.
If Steyn is right and this is nothing more than a wealthy Saudi using his money and power to stifle a discussion of what his charities are up to, then this is pretty alarming.
The Saudi in question is Sheikh Khalid bin Mahfouz, who Irish people will recall as he was at the center of the passports for investment scandal during the Haughey years. So, Mahfouz is an Irish citizen and, according to Alms for Jihad, at the center of a big bin Laden funding operation.
I don't know what's in the book that hasn't been published in the Irish Independent and Irish Times since September 2001, but I'm curious. Over the past six years, there have been many articles about Mahfouz, his investments, his charities and the connections to bin Laden.
Rachel Ehrenfeld, who was sued for libel by Mahfouz for her book Funding Evil: How Terrorism is Financed – and How to Stop It, writes about her legal problems in today's NY Post.
Interesting stuff. Now I want to find a copy of Alms for Jihad and/or Funding Evil.
