Five Nations Distance Themselves from Islamic Relief Amid Allegations of Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas Ties

Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW), a prominent international aid organization, is facing intensified scrutiny and funding withdrawals from multiple Western governments due to persistent allegations of ties to the Muslim Brotherhood and the Palestinian group Hamas. These concerns have led to significant diplomatic and financial repercussions for the charity.

Concerns surrounding IRW stem from accusations that its global parent was "founded by Muslim Brotherhood leaders" and has been "accused in Congress of channeling funds to MB-linked networks," as stated in a recent social media post. Historically, IRW was also a "founding organization" of the "Union of Good," a coalition designated by the U.S. Treasury as a Hamas funding entity.

Recent controversies have intensified this scrutiny, with former IRW trustees and senior staff, including Heshmat Khalifa and Tayed Abdoun, resigning after making antisemitic comments and praising Hamas on social media. One co-founder, Essam el-Haddad, also served as a senior Muslim Brotherhood official and advisor to former Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi.

In response to these allegations, several nations have taken action. The U.S. State Department cut ties with IRW in January 2021, citing "anti-Semitism exhibited repeatedly by IRW’s leadership." Germany ceased funding over "significant personal connections to the Muslim Brotherhood," and the Netherlands also decided not to subsidize the organization due to alleged links. Israel banned IRW from operating in its territories as early as 2014, based on its alleged role in funneling money to Hamas.

Despite these international actions, Islamic Relief Worldwide "categorically denies" any ties to political groups or terrorism, asserting its mandate is purely humanitarian. The organization states it has "no political affiliations of any kind and no external organization influences, let alone controls IRW." The situation highlights an ongoing debate among international bodies and governments regarding the nature of the Muslim Brotherhood and the extent of its alleged influence on seemingly independent organizations.