Dundee-born Muslim convert included in terrorism survey

James McLintock is alleged to have given extremist groups money raised for his Pakistani orphanage

A Tayside Muslim convert has been included in a terrorism survey conducted by a former Obama-era Treasury official.

Katherine Bauer, an expert at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, submitted the testimony to the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Terrorism and Illicit Finance.

The committee is examining the groups which pose the greatest threats to the national security of the United States, specifically its financial system.

Former Lawside Academy pupil James McLintock, who changed his name to Yaqoob Mansoor Al-Rashidi, is alleged to have funded extremist organisations through money raised for his Pakistani orphanage.

McLintock – known as the Tartan Taliban – was put on the Treasury’s “specially designated global terrorist” list in 2016, which freezes property he has within US jurisdiction and bans Americans from doing business with him.

Bauer’s report stated: “Another way in which Al Qaida has raised funds is through abuse of the charitable sector.

“In the years after the September 11 attacks, disrupting terrorists’ ability to abuse charitable giving as a means of raising, transferring, and laundering funds was a major focus of counterterrorism authorities around the world.

“While terrorism financing through the abuse of charities has returned, there is not the same emphasis as before.

“Facilitated by social media, fundraisers can now more easily set up false fronts online. Large-scale organisations funneling money to Al Qaida continue to come to light...

“Among those (organisations) sanctioned were the Scottish-born jihadist James McLintock and the al-Rahmah Welfare Organization (RWO), of which McLintock was the president, CEO and chairman.

“According to the Treasury Department, RWO and other associated outfits received ‘large amounts of money from British donors who were not aware of the NGOs’ Taliban ties’.

McLintock has previously denied allegations made by the US Treasury that his Pakistani orphanage is providing money for extremist groups.

David Moir. Picture: James McLintock grew up in Dundee and attended Lawside Academy. He went on to study at Edinburgh University.