A former University of Alabama student was indicted on terrorism charges by a federal grand jury in Birmingham, prosecutors said. Alaa Abusaad, 22, who served as president of UA's Muslim Student Association, is accused of attempting to provide support to Al Qaeda. Abusaad instructed an FBI undercover employee in Birmingham how to send money to the mujahedeen—fighters engaged in jihad, investigators said. Abusaad was quoted as saying money “is always needed. You can’t have a war without weapons. You can’t prepare a soldier without equipment.” Abusaad also provided advice on how to send the money while evading detection, such as using fake names and addresses, investigators said. The Justice Department said the woman subsequently introduced the undercover agent to a financial facilitator who could route the person's money to “brothers that work with aq” (al Qaeda). If convicted, Abusaad faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine. Investigation of the case was conducted by the FBI, including the bureau's offices in Birmingham.