KUALA LUMPUR: Two Islamic non-governmental organisation (NGO) leaders are wondering whey they have been listed on the FBI's Terrorist Screening Centre.
Cinta Syria Malaysia (CSM) chief executive officer Ahmad Musa Al-Nuwayri Kamaruzaman and Dunia Melayu Dunia Islam general manager Datuk Abdul Bakar Abdul said they had not received any official notice or information about the listing.
Musa, who heads the CSM's humanitarian missions and aid for Syrian refugees, said: "I believe that those involved are wondering why their names are listed. I was not informed of anything.
"The most logical reason (that I can think of) is that I was once detained in Jordan for helping Syrian refugees in 2017.
"(And) maybe the FBI list is related to the case in Jordan.
"However, I do not know of other reasons why my name is listed by the FBI," he told Berita Harian.
He said all aid provided by CSM for Palestine was channelled through other NGOs, including through collaborations with MyAqsar Defenders.
"We do not directly provide any assistance, which is why I don't understand why I've been listed.
"I feel it has no connection to the current humanitarian aid operations because we have not done anything.
"While we usually go through the CSM for rescue missions in Syria, all information is given to Wisma Putra, and all procedures are carried out with the Malaysian embassy in Turkiye."
He said he was concerned that the listing would affect the CSM's operations, especially its management of schools for children of Syrian refugees.
He added that the CSM had set up three educational centres — one each in Jordan and Turkiye, and another in Bandar Seri Putra, Bangi, for refugees in Malaysia.
"I hope to get further clarification from the FBI as I was informed that I could encounter difficulties if I wanted to travel abroad."
CSM, previously known as Tangisan Syria Di Bumi Jordan, was registered on Aug 11, 2014, and is known for extending aid to Syrian refugees in Turkey, Lebanon and Malaysia.
Previously, a letter mentioning that three leaders from Islamic NGOs in Malaysia listed in the TSC by the FBI had been leaked.
In the letter, the Foreign Ministry had directed these people not to get involved in Op Ihsan, which oversees the delivery of humanitarian aid from Malaysia to Palestinians in Gaza.
Op Ihsan secretariat chairman Jismi Johari confirmed the authenticity of the notification letter received from the Foreign Ministry's West Asia division.
The letter, intended for notification purposes only, informed Jismi about the three people listed on the FBI's TSC list.
Meanwhile, Abu Bakar said he had not received any notification about his name being listed in the TCS.
"I am surprised about my name being listed. I have no involvement with individuals or groups considered as terrorists, either inside or outside the country.
"I have never sponsored or provided any form of assistance or support to these groups, (so) it is very strange."
He said he would ask the Foreign Ministry for more information