SAAR Foundation
The SAAR Foundation was a flagship corporation representing charities, think tanks, and business entities named after its founder, Saudi patriarch Sulaiman Abdul Aziz Al Rajhi. The SAAR Foundation, which was dissolved in December 2000,[1][2] achieved prominence as the key subject of a March 20, 2002 raid by federal agents, as a part of Operation Green Quest.
Background
The Foundation's overseas origins date to the 1970s. Its U.S. branch was incorporated as a 501(3)c on July 29, 1983 in Herndon, VA, and dissolved in December 2000, and renamed Safa Trust.
Federal investigation
As part of Operation Green Quest, on March 20, 2002 federal agents raided 14 interlocking business entities in Herndon, VA associated with the SAAR Foundation looking for ties to the Al Taqwa Bank and the Muslim Brotherhood. Over 500 boxes of files and computer files were confiscated, filling seven trucks.
Notable personnel
- Yaqub Mirza, chief executive 1984-2002.
- Ahmad Totonji
- Ibrahim Hassabella