ٍSyria's Muslim Brotherhood at brink of bankruptcy

Writing to Zaman English by Yusra Ahmed

(Zaman Al Wasl)- Syria's Muslim Brotherhood group is facing a severe financial crisis, according to documents obtained by Zaman al-Wasl.

According to semi-official letter submitted by senior member in the Muslim Brotherhood to his fellows, the group living in the Diaspora has been facing a serious bankruptcy, “there is shortage in money, maybe we could not be able to pay members' salaries,” he said.

 “No one except the paymaster knows the source of the money, which is not bad, however, it is expected that a small group around him know the source, in this case evaluating the situation would be more accurate,” the letter said.

The member wondered if the source of the fund would last for long, or just for short term, and added that the paymaster must warn the leaders of Muslim Brotherhood about the real financial situation and advise them about the need to reduce spending to half or even quarter

In another correspondence the “enlightened”, as Zaman al-Wasl prefers to call to protect his identity, said : “I tried to put some indicators for the paymaster’s responsibilities, however, he has now financially led us to the situation you see, some accuse bureaucracy. Seriously, are you concerned of the bad situation we are going to face? “

Another letter mentioned that “the South Committee” procedures have unveiled loads of faults, which was the spark for ongoing crisis.

A letter belongs to “the discoverer” as Zaman al-Wasl has nicknamed, revealed that some institutions have expanded under the Muslim Brotherhood support, but now, they financially have become more powerful than the group, maybe that happened at the expense of the group’s sources.

The “discoverer” accused some responsible figures in the group of reckless using of the money, as there was no follow-up strategy. “Where is the official control, accountability, follow-up, inspection and auditing in our blessed group” wondered sarcastically.

Mulham al-Droubi, a leader of Muslim Brotherhood considers that financial troubles are not merely due to the paymaster and all are responsible for the recent financial situation. “we all lagged back in collecting money, recklessly spent, many of us provoked supporters and led them to stop funding, and others inhibited enthusiastic activists from collecting money, besides uncontrolled and unplanned funding of charitable agencies under the name of the group which consumed our money, and finally the severe propaganda against us causing huge restriction on dealing with us”

Al-Droubi put a plan of 10 points to refill the group’s budget. Obligating sisters and brothers to pay their fees, and control spending in offices and other centres and administration, besides finding creative methods to raise fund inside and outside Syria.

Reducing travel and transporting expenses and using the new methods of communications in meeting. Requesting support from the agencies those built by Muslim brotherhood’s support, and minimizing repetition of projects and agencies, reducing number of staff in headquarter and other offices, beside helping the unemployed who rely on the group’s fund, to find jobs. Rescheduling salaries, and the need to apply the 80/20 principle correctly not the other way round.