From http://www.gulf-news.com/Articles/NationNF.asp?ArticleID=195193

Special needs charity denies being cult front
By Nina Muslim, Staff Reporter
27/11/2005

Dubai : A UAE organisation to provide education for children with special needs says it is not a front for Scientology, despite being in partnership with a Scientology-linked association.

Ability Based Learning and Empowerment (Able-UAE), under the patronage of Shaikha Lamia Faisal Al Qasimi, has 12 partners, including the UAE Education Ministry and the Association for a Better Living and Education, or Able International.

Able International is a non-profit community organisation that follows the teachings of "Church" of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard.

Hollywood heavyweights Tom Cruise and John Travolta are two of Scientology's most faithful devotees.

The "Church" of Scientology elicits a mixed response from the Western world; supporters credit it with saving their lives, critics, including the founder's son, condemn it as a money-making scheme.

Shaikha Lamia Al Qasimi, Able-UAE chairperson, told Gulf News that there was no connection between the special needs education objective and Scientology.

"We take what we want from anything and whatever is not suitable for us, we leave. We take the good and leave the bad.

"At the end of the day, it is to make a disabled child able," she said.

Shirin Huda, director of Able-UAE, said, "There are many organisations that collaborate with us, all with the aim of bringing the best practices in education."

She said her organisation would use methods employed by Able International to help special needs children learn as it has the "best methodology".

She added Able-UAE may receive funding from the international group.

Dubai Aid and Humanitarian City said it would monitor Able-UAE's activities to ensure it fulfilled its objectives.

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