April 24, 2002	Wednesday	Safar 10, 1423

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WASHINGTON, April 23: A US federal judge has said a law suit filed by America’s largest Muslim charity, the Texas-based Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development, has raised distressing allegations about government actions in the war on terrorism.

The charity was closed down in December on allegations that it was raising funds for Hamas, a charge that has been vehemently contested by the organization in a law suit.

The judge, Gladys Kessler, has warned that she would not look kindly on government lawyers’ request to treat evidence offered against the charity as secret. “In a case with as many serious ramifications as this one, unless the law is crystal clear... everything should be in public and on record,” the judge said.

She said the case concerned more than just administrative procedures.