A MOA video released in 2010 showed a map of states where it had “Islamic villages” at that time. Illinois was listed.
Fuqra/MOA is believed to be responsible for an attack on the Vat Thothikalam Laotian Temple in Rockford on July 5, 1985 and an attack on a Laotian Temple in Rockford on December 1, 1985.[i]
MOA collaborated with the El-Rukin gang in Chicago, which was supported by the Libyan government of Muammar Gaddafi. The Libyan regime also supported Jamaat al-Muslimeen, another group with MOA ties in Trinidad.
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.”[ii]
[i] Al-Fuqra: Holy Warriors of Terrorism.” (1993). Anti-Defamation League: http://archive.adl.org/extremism/moa/al-fuqra.pdf
[ii] 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.
