Despicable Action of HSBC Statement of Dr Anas al Tikriti Dear Friends, I wanted to share with you events that have taken place last week. On Tuesday 22nd of July, I received 4 identical letters from HSBC in the namesof myself, my wife and my 2 sons (aged 16 and 12), informing us that the bank has decided to close down our accounts. No explanation was given, just a cautionary note not to try to apply to the bank or any of its affiliates for new accounts. On Thursday, a similar letter arrived at my office at The Cordoba Foundation to the same effect. On Friday a 6th letter in the name of a small PR firm which my wife runs received the same notice of Account Closure. There can be no question that my entire family was deliberately and intentionally targeted by HSBC. As long and as hard as I tried to get an explanation from the bank, there was a wall of silence and I was left only to speculate on what I had done wrong for the bank to act in such a dramatic way against not only myself, but my entire family. I recognise that the Terms and Conditions stipulate that the Bank is within its rights to terminate an account without having to offer an explanation, but to hide behind Ts&Cs in this way is shabby treatment in the extreme. With news that Finsbury Park Mosque, Ummah Welfare Trust and others meeting the same treatment at the very same time, Im convinced that the bank has acted in this way as a result of my campaigning for Gaza and for Palestine. If Im wrong, then this is an open invitation to HSBC to come forward and say so. Im hoping to bring this to everyones attention because I think that banks must never be allowed to behave so shoddily with their customers. Ive been with the HSBC since it was called The Midland Bank in 1985, 29 years ago, and my wife since 1995. The letter, and the refusal to clarify is simply unacceptable and I wont stand by silently and let this go by without a fight. Also, I now firmly believe that with this clear targeting of Muslim organisations, as well as my own family, that no ones account is safe with HSBC. Not a business accoun t. Not a personal account. My recommendation to each and everyone of you is to close down your accounts (if youre with HSBC, M&S or First Direct) before they do it for you. I wish to thank all the brothers and sisters who have been so kind, so gracious and so warm in their support since hearing of this news. Im grateful to to all those who offered help. Im humbled by your generosity and kind spirits. I wish to reassure everyone that I and my family are fine. We are not deterred from our path in supporting justice and right whether in Palestine or elsewhere. If that was the aim of HSBC or whoever is behind this decision, then theyve made a massive miscalculation. If anything I and my family are more determined than ever to campaign and be vocal on the main issues of injustice in the world. I ask Allah Almighty to bless and to look over you all and to remove all forms of injustice, tyranny and oppression in the world.
Posted on: Tue, 29 Jul 2014 22:59:50 +0000
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