Fuqra/MOA is believed to have collaborated with the El-Rukn black Muslim gang based in Chicago and to have recruited from its ranks.

Lawrence Martines, the former chief of the Nevada department of homeland security, writes:

“As the JAF grew in numbers, it is believed that they established a working relationship with the El Rukn, a large and violent Chicago black Muslim gang. The El Rukn in 1987, according to intelligence sources, were alleged to have received $2.5 million from Libya, the money transaction taking place in Nicaragua, to act as a fighting force on call to serve the Libyan government against the USA. Currently five leaders of El Rukn are still serving lengthy federal terms for ‘Conspiracy to Commit Terrorist Acts.’ It is believed that JAF recruited heavily from those now leaderless ER members seeking a safe sanctuary or support.”[1]

The Libyan government also backed Jamaat al-Muslimeen, a militant group in Trinidad linked to Fuqra/MOA, around this time.

[1] Martines, Lawrence J. (2010). Jam’at Al-Fuqra, a.k.a. Society of the Impoverished. Journal of Counterterrorism and Homeland Security International. Vo. 8, No. 3.