February 22, 2005
Source: Newsday
Wire Service: AP
On February 22, 2005 Newsday reported, "Muslim groups want to know why a North Jersey bank closed an Islamic Center's bank accounts. Hudson United Bank closed the Islamic Educational Center of North Hudson's three accounts just before last month's hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. That action created difficulties for Muslims seeking to pay for hotel rooms and other travel needs, according to Yousef Abdalla, the Union City center's outreach director. The Council on American-Islamic Relations, a nationwide civil rights group based in Washington, has written to the bank asking for an explanation of the closures, but has not received a response."