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Rebel fighters prepare Grad rockets to be launched toward forces of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad stationed in al-Suqaylabiyah district, from the orchards north of Kfar Zeita village in the northern countryside of Hama January 29, 2015. REUTERS/Mohamad Bayoush REUTERS/Mohamad Bayoush

The Muslim Association of Canada or MAC, is now in a hotseat after reports flaunted it allegedly gave $300,000 to a Hamas-linked militant group that had been spent buying property in Canada. The properties were said to be converted into mosques, community centres and schools.

A report by the Toronto Sun said the buying spree caught the attention of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, which immediately launched an investigation into the matter. A search conducted by QMI Agency revealed MAC has bought at least 11 buildings in Ontario, Quebec and Alberta since 2006. Registered as a charity, MAC said the acquisitions were needed in order to "establish an Islamic presence in Canada that is balanced, constructive, and integrated, though distinct."

But as QMI delved further into the group’s finances, it found it channelled $300,000 to IRFAN-Canada, a listed terrorist group in Canada that funds millions of dollars to Hamas-linked entities. MAC allegedly released the amount between 2001 and 2010. Citing the Canadian government, QMI said IRFAN-Canada gave $14.6 million “worth of resources to various organizations associated with Hamas.”

In a statement, MAC denied all allegations of funding and close ties with the Hamas-related group. It said it cooperates with many local community associations for the benefit of its members, the communities and the society-at-large, but it “has no link or affiliation with any foreign organization.”

Although it did admit giving funds to IRFAN-Canada, it said this happened when the latter was still considered a legitimate charity and was supported by a number of Canadian organizations. But when Canada delisted it as a charity in 2011, MAC said it immediately stopped funding it. “When specific allegations of IRFAN's relationship with groups that are inconsistent with MAC's values arose, we immediately stopped all donations to that group. Previous to that, MAC did raise funds for humanitarian relief that were distributed to a number of relief organizations including IRFAN.” Both IRFAN-Canada and Hamas are considered terrorist organizations by the Canadian government.

Data from the Canada Revenue Agency showed the following progressive value of MAC land and buildings in Canada in a span of six years:

· 2009: $ 16,329,624

· 2010: $ 24,823,655

· 2011: $ 28,912,281

· 2012: $ 30,992,562

· 2013: $ 30,891,955

As of 2013, MAC’s financial capabilities:

· Assets: $39,392,234

· Liabilities: 8,254,913

· Revenues: $16,184,942

· Land and buildings in Canada: $30,891,955