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Time of India
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Who are Ismail Royer and Shaykh Hamza Yusuf? Donald Trump's controversial ‘jihadist' appointments to Religious Liberty Commission
File photo: Shaykh Hamza Yusuf (left) and Ismail Royer (Picture credit: Zaytuna college, Religious Freedom Institute) US President Donald Trump on Friday appointed Ismail Royer and Shaykh Hamza Yusuf to the White House's newly formed Advisory Board of Lay Leaders under the Religious Liberty Commission. The announcement comes amid growing scrutiny from critics like conservative commentator Lara Loomer, who alleges both appointees have had ties to extremist ideologies and 'jihadist' activities in the past. The White House's official statement describes Royer as director of the Islam and Religious Freedom Action Team at the Religious Freedom Institute, highlighting his advocacy work and promotion of interfaith peace. Shaykh Hamza Yusuf is presented as a respected Islamic scholar and co-founder of Zaytuna College , the first accredited Muslim liberal arts college in the United States, with long-standing academic involvement, including as an advisor at Berkeley's Center for Islamic Studies. However, their appointments have sparked criticism due to their alleged past associations. Who is Ismail Royer? Born Randall Todd Royer, Ismail Royer converted to Islam in 1992. He studied under traditional Islamic scholars and later engaged with multiple Muslim advocacy groups. However, Royer's past includes a dark chapter, in 2004, he pleaded guilty to terrorism-related charges and was sentenced to 20 years in prison for his role in the so-called 'Virginia Jihad Network.' According to a US department of justice statement, Royer admitted to aiding others in attending a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) training camp in Pakistan, where recruits were trained to engage in militant activities. He also acknowledged helping a co-defendant train in rocket-propelled grenade use in connection with a plot to fight the Indian army in Jammu and Kashmir. He served 13 years before being released in 2017 and has since publicly distanced himself from violent extremism, focusing on religious freedom work. Who is Shaykh Hamza Yusuf? Hamza Yusuf is widely recognised in Western Islamic circles as a proponent of classical Islamic scholarship and interfaith dialogue . A convert to Islam, he co-founded Zaytuna College in California and has served in various academic and governmental advisory roles, including on the state department's Commission on Unalienable Rights during the Trump administration. Despite his mainstream appeal, critics like Lara Loomer have accused Yusuf of downplaying jihadist ideologies and maintaining indirect links with organisations like the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas, claims he has not directly addressed. Supporters, however, regard him as a voice of moderation who has consistently condemned extremism and promoted understanding across faiths.
Time of India
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Trump's ‘Jihadist' picks? Who are Ismail Royer and Hamza Yusuf, his controversial appointees
President Trump appointed Ismail Royer and Shaykh Hamza Yusuf to the White House Religious Liberty Commission's advisory board. Royer, formerly convicted on terrorism-related charges, now advocates for religious freedom. Yusuf, a leading Islamic scholar, faces criticism over past associations and statements perceived as sympathetic to extremist views, sparking controversy. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Who is Ismail Royer? Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Who is Shaykh Hamza Yusuf? U.S. President Donald Trump has appointed Ismail Royer and Shaykh Hamza Yusuf to the newly established Advisory Board of Lay Leaders under the White House Religious Liberty to the White House, Ismail Royer currently serves as the Director of the Islam and Religious Freedom Action Team at the Religious Freedom Institute. The administration emphasizes his commitment to religious advocacy and interfaith Hamza Yusuf is presented as a leading Islamic scholar and the founder of Zaytuna College , the first accredited Muslim liberal arts institution in the U.S. He is also noted for his academic contributions, including his advisory role at the Center for Islamic Studies at UC their appointment has stirred a controversy with commentator Lara Loomer alleging that both individuals have past links to extremist ideologies and jihadist known as Randall Todd Royer, he converted to Islam in 1992 and pursued studies under traditional Islamic scholars. He later worked with multiple Muslim advocacy 2004, Royer pleaded guilty to terrorism-related charges as part of the "Virginia Jihad Network" case. U.S. authorities stated that he helped others travel to Pakistan to train with Lashkar-e-Taiba and assisted one individual in learning grenade warfare for potential conflict with Indian forces in Kashmir. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison and released in 2017 after serving 13 years. Since then, Royer has publicly renounced extremism and now advocates for religious liberty and interfaith dialogue.A prominent figure in Western Islamic scholarship, Yusuf is widely regarded as a voice for moderate Islam and interfaith engagement. After converting to Islam, he co-founded Zaytuna College and has served in various academic and advisory roles, including on the Trump administration's Commission on Unalienable critics—led by Loomer—have accused him of downplaying jihadist ideology and of associating with groups allegedly linked to the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas. These claims have not been directly addressed by has also pointed to controversial past statements and associations. She cites Yusuf's participation in a fundraiser for Jamil al-Amin (formerly H. Rap Brown) just two days before the 9/11 attacks, where Yusuf allegedly criticized the U.S. and questioned al-Amin's guilt. Additionally, Yusuf once defended Sheikh Omar Abdel-Rahman, later convicted of plotting terrorist attacks, and made remarks at a 1996 ICNA event that were critical of American policies. The FBI questioned Yusuf after 9/11 over statements perceived as sympathetic to jihadist views.
