Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU)’s Post

Happening today at 2 p.m. EST. Join this timely discussion about the ongoing threat to Muslim charitable organizations, including recent legislation that unfairly targets Muslim nonprofits. Register here: bit.ly/nonprofit-crackdown

On Thursday, May 23 at 2 p.m. EST, join ISPU and a distinguished panel of experts to discuss the impact of legislation that unfairly targets Muslim charitable orgs in the U.S., as well as the role of non-state actors, think tanks, and their funders in leading information manipulation campaigns against Muslim humanitarian organizations. ISPU Director of Research Saher Selod, PhD, will join Gerald FitzGerald, PhD, Affiliated Faculty, George Mason University, Robert McCaw, Government Affairs Department Director, CAIR National, and Kia Hamadanchy, Senior Policy Counsel, ACLU, for a virtual panel discussion. In recent years, Muslim individuals, businesses, and nonprofits in the U.S. have reported facing potentially discriminatory practices at some of the nation’s largest banks and financial institutions, as found in ISPU’s 2022 American Muslim Poll. Even further, in the aftermath of a wave of student protests against the war on Gaza, Muslim charitable, non-governmental and nonprofit organizations and institutions are facing increased scrutiny by policymakers. This has emerged in the form of media attention, statements by policymakers, and proposed legislation, such as H.R. 6408, which would give the executive branch sweeping powers to dismantle organizations the administration says has provided “material support” to terrorist organizations. 📆 Register today to save your seat: https://hubs.li/Q02xXvvB0

The Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy (ISGAP) just released their latest study. “ISGAP's report delves deep into the roots of antisemitism within SJP, its connections to violence and terrorist groups, and its alarming rise in influence since the Hamas terror attack in Israel on October 7, 2023. The report sheds light on a disturbing pattern of radicalization and intimidation targeting Jewish and pro-Israel students and faculty following October 7. The report specifically highlights non-profit organizations supporting SJP (Students for Justice in Palestine) that have been linked to Hamas, including WESPAC, Tides, American Muslims for Palestine (AMP), Americans for Justice in Palestine (AJP), and Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP). According to the report, SJP has strong financial ties with WESPAC, which serves as a financial sponsor by channelling tax-free donations through its accounts to SJP chapters. The report additionally reveals that SJP receives significant organizational support from American Muslims for Palestine (AMP), a non-profit currently under investigation by the Virginia attorney general. AMP has been accused of being a successor to a charity held accountable for funding Hamas. AMP has also admitted to funding Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP). The research also exposes how SJP chapters have openly endorsed violence against Israelis, praised terrorist acts, and disseminated hateful propaganda aimed at delegitimizing Israel. Moreover, the findings highlight the alarming trend of collaboration between SJP and extremist groups, creating a hostile environment for anyone who supports Israel or opposes their agenda.” To read the report, go to https://lnkd.in/egHD3Pgp This has profound implications for what we are seeing on university campuses.

Banking while Muslim..... After the House passage of H.R. 9495, a bill which grants the Treasury Secretary unilateral power to strip nonprofit organizations of their tax exempt status, there’s renewed concern that Muslim nonprofits that provide aid or otherwise support Palestinians would be unfairly flagged and targeted. This would stifle support to Gaza where tens of thousands have been killed and millions more face displacement and famine, and chill free speech in the U.S., where thousands have protested America’s involvement through military support of Israel. In recent years, Muslim-led nonprofits have reported facing discriminatory practices at some of the nation’s largest financial institutions, including being denied opening a nonprofit account and having a credit card for a nonprofit account closed. These challenges are part of a larger issue known as hashtag #BankingWhileMuslim, and our research shows that Muslims report these challenges at higher levels than other religious groups and the general public. Explore our analysis on the issue, authored by Dr. Youssef Chouhoud, which dives further into the intersections of Islamophobia, discrimination, and the U.S. banking system. READ MORE: https://hubs.li/Q02-YfsZ0

Our ownership of our political identity as AANHPI peoples is an intentional act of solidarity to build power across communities of color and the vast AANHPI diasporas, which encompasses Arab, Middle Eastern, Muslim and South Asian (AMEMSA) communities - including Palestinians. In the past year, more than 40,000 Palestinians have lost their lives and over 2.3 million Palestinians have been displaced. For decades, countless lives in the Middle East have been deeply impacted by discrimination, dispossession, and violence. With the October 7th attack, taking of hostages, and heartbreaking devastation in Gaza, the philanthropic sector has struggled with how to respond - especially when it comes to supporting Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim communities. AAPIP invites grantmakers and funders to participate in a series of collective learning spaces developed in partnership with Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim community leaders, nonprofit organizations, and philanthropic leaders. This funder briefing, sponsored by AAPIP and 18 Million Rising, centers Palestinian-led and Muslim-led nonprofit organizations whose work is critical to protecting and advocating for Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim communities here in the U.S. and abroad. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gfjDbXW6

I just listened to the news, and it wasn't surprising to hear that independent candidates in the UK general election are being labeled as "pro-Palestinian." This labeling seems intentional, aimed at creating division, even though the newly elected members have only just started their terms. It's important to recognise that for many, the vote wasn't solely about Palestine. It was also about showing that the Muslim community will not automatically support Labour, as has often been the case in the past. This vote signals that both incoming and outgoing parties must represent the community's needs and not support actions complicit in genocide. It also emphasises the importance of bridging divisions and uniting communities. We shouldn't only focus on the negatives, which represent a small minority. We should also highlight the positive contributions of Muslims, such as their involvement in charitable causes, donating billions to various global initiatives every year, and their significant contributions to fields like math and science. Additionally, the majority of Muslims actively contribute to the UK economy just to name a few. #workingtogether #equalitydiversityandinclusion

After the House passage of H.R. 9495, a bill which grants the Treasury Secretary unilateral power to strip nonprofit organizations of their tax exempt status, there’s renewed concern that Muslim nonprofits that provide aid or otherwise support Palestinians would be unfairly flagged and targeted. This would stifle support to Gaza where tens of thousands have been killed and millions more face displacement and famine, and chill free speech in the U.S., where thousands have protested America’s involvement through military support of Israel. . In recent years, Muslim-led nonprofits have reported facing discriminatory practices at some of the nation’s largest financial institutions, including being denied opening a nonprofit account and having a credit card for a nonprofit account closed. These challenges are part of a larger issue known as #BankingWhileMuslim, and our research shows that Muslims report these challenges at higher levels than other religious groups and the general public. Explore our analysis on the issue, authored by Dr. Youssef Chouhoud, which dives further into the intersections of Islamophobia, discrimination, and the U.S. banking system. READ MORE: https://hubs.li/Q02-YfsZ0

Never Again International - Canada is empowering children who are affected by civil war and genocide to become global leaders. War-affected children are persevering in engaging in activities to advocate for a world free of genocide and the exploitation of the use of child soldiers. By supporting children affected by conflict to create a better world with a commitment to social justice and humanitarianism, Never Again International - Canada is helping to build a safer world where children are protected from the violence of war. Your donation can empower war-affected children to cultivate skills of global humanitarianism and encourage children to have a moral obligation to uphold universal standards of human dignity. Will you support atrocity prevention and conflict transformation and help to build the political will for war-affected youth to become the leaders of tomorrow? https://lnkd.in/efBVV_X #Genprev

We come from the Middle East; we understand how terrorists' migration tactics work. We put them in prison, you put them in your streets. Islamists bring darkness wherever they go. Visit Britain’s Birmingham, specifically the Small Heath area, and you will find an Islamist-controlled zone influenced by the Muslim Brotherhood. Women are pressured to cover up, and strangers are interrogated on the streets. Cars are stopped, and drivers are asked, “Are you Muslim?” If they answer yes, they are told their prayers will not be accepted unless they donate to unregistered charities, which funnel funds to Hamas terrorists in #Gaza. They even target children as young as eight, asking them what they know about #Israel, planting seeds of hatred early. Jews are unwelcome, and any who enter risk being attacked. Conduct a social experiment in the area, but don’t go without protection; you will need it. As of 2024, there are approximately 2,500 mosques in the UK, with 700 reportedly controlled by Muslim Brotherhood affiliates. The UK’s Muslim population is about 4 million, and the Brotherhood actively recruits door-to-door and in student unions, which explains their influence over pro-Hamas protests. Your children have become hostages of their propaganda, which is why some now defend Hamas terrorists. Many local businesses have fallen under their control. Birmingham’s council is allegedly dominated by Islamists, who delay housing for Jewish and non-Muslim applicants. Corruption is rife; bribes determine housing allocations. Pregnant women awaiting housing are made to wait longer as properties are sold to the highest bidder. Investigate for yourself if you doubt these claims. Amjad Taha @amjadt25

Funders, join us at NFG on May 16th for "Understanding Militarism and US Funding of the Genocide in Palestine," organized by my amazing colleague Neda Said. More details and registration in the link below: As we continue to witness the US-funded and facilitated genocide in Palestine, we are filled with horror, and also steadfast in our commitment and action toward a free Palestine and the self-determination of all oppressed people. NFG recognizes that the occupation of Palestine is not new and has been ongoing for decades. As philanthropy begins to interrogate its grantmaking and investment practices, we are compelled to name the importance of deepening support to BIPOC-led community organizing, especially Palestinian movement leaders organizing (from within the belly of the beast, no less) against US militarism’s violence. Because philanthropy participates in and benefits from America’s exploitative economy, US-based funders in particular must recognize that the extractive nature of our war economy has implications domestically and internationally. While BIPOC communities bear the brunt of the carceral system, lack of public resources, precarious work, and scarcity of affordable housing, communities abroad also stagger under the weight of both US-driven and funded imperialist extraction through direct occupation, military aid and arms sales (resulting in mass manufacturer profits), military-led “development” projects, and resource theft. Join us to build our collective understanding of current organizing to end the genocide in Palestine. We will discuss how to organize as philanthropy to not just continue resourcing and supporting BIPOC-led community organizing, but to also be sure to include the movement groups rising up against US imperialism, particularly Palestinian-led organizing efforts in the US attempting to end the genocide. Speakers: Iman Abid, Director of Advocacy, US Campaign for Palestinian Rights Maisa Morrar, Member & Co-Founder, Palestinian Feminist Collective Leena Barakat, President & CEO, Women Donors Network Rana Elmir, Director, Rise Together Fund