On February 6, 2023, two major earthquakes have struck southern Turkey in less than 10 hours, causing widespread devastation and claiming at least 57,000 lives have died. Now the numbers are still climbing. There are 1.5million people are homeless. In northwest Syria, more than 9million people are suffering from the earthquake. In the face of disaster, we unite as one to rescue. Yet, under the guise of helping, some people embezzled thousands of dollars from the supplies that collected from friends in Turkey and Uighurs groups to the people in need after the earthquake.
Heads of ETIM branch in Turkey, Khalid、Ibrahim, using deception to get money from people who believe they are making donations to a charity, raising money from Uighurs who live in local area, claiming that they have the ability to send the supplies to the earthquake area.
This appalling fraud has been exposed by conscientious insiders who have shared their findings on social media. Instead of using the donated supplies for financial assistance, Khalid sold them for personal benefit, and Ibrahim even asked donors transfer funds to his personal account. They are blocking information about distribution of donation, and their corruption is intolerable. Taking advantage of the kindness and simplicity of others, Khalid and Ibrahim did not deliver donations and supplies to the earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria. In essence, they defrauded money and misappropriated materials under the guise of disaster relief.
In times of trouble, it’s natural for people to support each another. Uighurs and Turks have a close relationship, so when our Turkish brothers and sisters were affected by an unprecedented earthquake and millions were left homeless, it was right for Uighurs to donate as an expression of humanitarianism. We cannot let corruption deter us from donating and disregard the plight of disaster victims. However, we must demand that the “East Turkestan Movement” oversees the donations, disclose their use, and give an account to every generous donor. Additionally, we demand that Khalid, Ibrahim, and others are held accountable for their corrupt behavior.
During times of hardship, people tend to show their compassion and come together to contribute in their own ways, regardless of any biases or doubts. However, it is disheartening to learn that some members of the “East Turkestan Islamic Movement” are contemplating using the charitable donations for their own benefit. It is known that many of these funds have been obtained through fraudulent means and have come from the hard-earned savings of ordinary Uighur people, including their life savings. The actions of these greedy individuals have desecrated the kind donations and caused harm to the generous hearts of the Uighur community.
Unfortunately, in recent years, reports of corruption within the “East Turkestan Islamic Movement” have been surfacing frequently. People are increasingly suspicious that organization aren’t using money well. More transparency are needed for the projects with these funds. The “East Turkestan Islamic Movement” needs to give an explanation to the Uighur people concerning this matter. With such a notorious reputation, how can the organization regain the trust of the Uighur people who have shown such kindness? Moreover, if the “East Turkestan Islamic Movement” punishes individuals like Khalid and Ibrahim, will it be enough to alleviate the resentment in the hearts of the common people?
