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Memri
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Memri
Qatar-Funded Media And Islamist Groups Renew Their Attacks On Moderate Muslim Scholar Sheikh Hamza Yusuf Over His Peace Advocacy And UAE Ties, Following His Appointment To Advisory Board Of New U.S. R
Introduction On May 16, 2015, the White House announced the appointment of Sheikh Hamza Yusuf, prominent moderate Islamic scholar and cofounder of Zaytuna College in California, to the advisory board of the new Religious Liberty Commission. The commission was established by the White House on May 1, 2025.[1] Also appointed were Muslim activist Sameerah Munshi and Ismail Royer, director of the Islam and Religious Freedom Action Team at the Religious Freedom Institute. Following the announcement, Sheikh Yusuf became the target of renewed attacks by Qatar-funded media outlets and Islamist organizations and figures. As they had following Yusuf's appointment to the Commission on Unalienable Rights, established in July 2019 by President Trump during his first term of office,[2] these groups condemned his new appointment, largely due to his pro-peace activism and his balanced positions vis-à-vis the U.S., the UAE, the Israel-Palestinian conflict, and the concept of jihad in Islam – positions that diverge from their ideological narratives. Critics also took aim at Yusuf's long-standing association with the UAE-based Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies, in Abu Dhabi, where he serves on the board of trustees, and his mentorship under Sheikh Abdullah bin Bayyah, head of the UAE's Fatwa Council and a respected advocate for moderate Islam.[3] This report will examine the backlash against Sheikh Hamza Yusuf from Islamist circles, highlight the support his recent appointment has received, and explore his efforts to offer alternative Islamic perspectives on complex issues facing the Arab and Muslim world as well as Muslim communities in the West – perspectives that challenge the dominance of Islamist rhetoric. Sheikh Hamza Yusuf Critic Daniel Haqiqatjou: "Hamza Yusuf Has Made A Deal With The Devil, Literally" – He Has Been "A Part Of Administrations Going Back To George W. Bush" – May 2025 One of the harshest critics of Sheikh Hamza Yusuf's views and positions is American Islamist writer and commentator Daniel Haqiqatjou. In a YouTube video published on May 20, 2025, titled "Hamza Yusuf Betrays Palestine Again," Haqiqatjou focused his criticism on the fact that Yusuf had worked for the George W. Bush and Trump administrations. He said: "This is something that we have seen of him for a long time. Basically, since 9/11, 24 years ago, Hamza Yusuf has made a deal with the devil, literally, if you want to say that – if you consider the great Satan to be the forces within the U.S. that are directed at the killing, mass slaughter of Muslims, launching wars that have killed millions of Muslims. Hamza Yusuf has been a part of these administrations going back to George W. Bush, standing next to George W. Bush, and the next conservative Republican president has been Donald Trump, and, once again, Hamza Yusuf has been joining the Donald Trump administration in one capacity or another." Mocking defenders of Sheikh Yusuf who consider him a pious Muslim and a moderate scholar, Haqiqatjou said: "This is absolutely nonsense. Show which Sufi master or any pious worshiper of Allah who was joining the administration of tyrants – not just any type of tyrant, this is like an infidel tyrant. This is like a non-Muslim administration actively involved in multiple wars against multiple countries, Muslim countries, and Hamza Yusuf is happy to join the team..." Haqiqatjou also criticized Sheikh Abdallah bin Bayyah, whom he referred to as the Yusuf's sheikh who is "doing the same exact thing, except in the Gulf with the UAE." Expressing his frustration, he said: "This makes me angry. It should make you angry. The question I want you to consider is how implicated the entire Da'wa mafia network is because of Hamza Yusuf's associations."[4] Sheikh Hamza Yusuf's Moderate View On The Concept Of Jihad – November 2023 Sheikh Hamza Yusuf's views on multiple Islamic concepts stand in clear contrast than those of the Islamists. His moderate view on the concept of jihad as a holy war is one for which he is often criticized by the Islamists. Asked about jihad during an interview on the Kim Iversen show on YouTube, he said: "Jihad in Arabic literally means struggle. No holy war in Islam. There is nothing that says war is holy. War is actually the absence of holiness. War is the failure of holiness, and that's why in the Quran it says, whenever they ignite the flames of fire of war, God works to put it out, and that's through people. Raising people up that are peace makers. "Juan Cole wrote another book, he edited a book on peace movement within Islam. There are many great peace movements in Islam. People forget that Gandhi's main supporters were Muslims. One of the closet people to Gandhi was Abu Kalam Azad, who was a scholar of Islam. He was born in Makkah and he was with Gandhi in jail and worked with him, and was one of the closet people to Gandhi. Abdul Ghaffar Khan was the great peacemaker from the Pathan community. Many examples of this throughout history. There has been a belligerent element within Islam, and I will never deny that. Jihad can be misused."[5] Criticism Of Sheikh Hamza Yusuf's Views On Peace With Israel – November 2024 Sheikh Hamza Yusuf's views on peace with Israel, and on the Palestinian resistance and its use of violence against Israel using advanced war technology and lethal weapons, have been condemned by both Islamists and pro-Palestinian activists. One of Sheikh Yusuf's statements in particular has been widely circulated by them in order to delegitimize him and raise questions about his qualifications; he had said in 2019, on France24, "If the Palestinians have abandoned violence and instead acknowledged that they are weak and helpless who are in need of help, by the name of Allah, they will find many people in the world sympathizing with them. But when they strike with their petty weapons against powerful weapons that would destroy everything, and people would then think that they have initiated the attacks – this is what is happening now. Have they gained anything? Have they benefited from this violence?"[6] The video of these statements by Yusuf was shared on November 12, 2024 on the X account of British Islamist and YouTuber Dilly Hussain. Pro-Palestinian Activist: "Hamza Yusuf Is "A White Muslim Convert" Who Said About The Palestinians: "Sometimes It's Absolutely Necessary To Suffer In Silence" – December 2023 Furthermore, some pro-Palestinian activists have tried to discredit Sheikh Hamza Yusuf and criticize his moderate views by mentioning that he is a white and a convert. For example, on December 25, 2023, X user Palestinian Ph.D. candidate Ghada Sasa wrote: "Hamza Yusuf, a white Muslim convert, who previously suggested Palestinians stop resisting at all Israeli colonization to garner pity & await aid, doubled down on his take at the [Reviving the Islamic Spirit] RIS conference this weekend: "Sometimes it's absolutely necessary to suffer in silence."[7] Qatar-Funded Media Outlets' Criticize Sheikh Yusuf Following His First Appointment To A U.S. Commission In July 2019, And Criticize His Ties To UAE Following His Support For 2020 Abraham Accords Criticism of Sheikh Yusuf appeared in Qatar-funded media following his appointment in July 2019 to the Commission on Unalienable Rights, established by President Trump during his first term of office. Also criticized was Yusuf's connection with the UAE peace efforts that led to the signing of the Abraham Accords in September 2020. On July 15, 2019, the Qatar-owned and funded Al-Jazeera outlet in English published an article by Dr. Maha Hilal, codirector of the Justice for Muslims Collective. Under the title "It's time for Muslim Americans to condemn Hamza Yusuf, Dr. Hilal accused Yusuf of not representing the best interest of the Muslim community in the U.S. because of his UAE affiliation and because his ideas about the U.S. and about anti-Trump protests diverge from those held by Islamists in the U.S. Dr. Hilal specifically condemned him for calling on Muslims to do better than protesting against the election of Donald Trump. Yusuf had written in a November 2016 post: "We have too much work to do, not protesting, not lighting fires, not saying, 'Trump is not my president. He is, and that is how our system works: by accepting the results and moving on."[8] She added that Yusuf should be condemned for calling the U.S. "one of the least racist countries" in the world, and for calling the UAE a "tolerant" country, writing: "That he clearly ignores all the human rights abuses the UAE has been accused of is rather unsurprising, given that he is a former student and good friend of Sheikh Abdullah Bin Bayyah and is serving as the vice president of his Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies – a religious body bankrolled by Abu Dhabi." Two days later, on July 17, 2019, the London-based another Qatar-funded media outlet, published an article aimed at Muslims in the U.S. condemning Sheikh Yusuf's appointment to the Commission on Unalienable Rights as well as his association with the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Under the title "Hamza Yusuf is not your friend," Sam Hamad, who describes himself as an independent Scottish-Egyptian activist and writer, defended the Muslim Brotherhood and condemned Yusuf's relationship with the UAE and Saudi Arabia: Hamad wrote: "[Sheikh Yusuf] became a convenient Muslim voice who would advance the agenda of U.S. allies in the Muslim world, most notably the autocrats, theocrats, and gross human rights violators in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. In the post-Arab Spring era, the intermixing of the agenda of autocracy in the Arabic-speaking and Muslim world and western Islamophobia is of the utmost importance. We've seen how Islamophobic fascists and extremists in the West, ranging from Marine Le Pen to Donald Trump, have come to support the Sisi regime [in Egypt] and his [Sisi's] efforts to overthrow democracy and target the Muslim Brotherhood for their advocacy of Islamic democracy."[9] In August 2019, the Qatar-owned and funded Al-Jazeera's Arabic website continued its campaign against Sheikh Yusuf's scholarly status in a report describing him as a "Sufi disciple" employed by the Trump administration as an advisor. The report reiterated the Islamist condemnation of Yusuf's association with the UAE, Sheikh bin Bayyah, and the UAE-based Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies.[10] In August 2020, the London-Based Middle East Eye, which is widely regarded as a pro-Muslim Brotherhood website, published a report titled "Influential Muslim scholar Hamza Yusuf criticised for backing UAE-Israel deal." In it, he was criticized for endorsing the UAE decision to normalize ties with Israel, in the Abraham Accords that would be signed the following month, in September 2020. The article cited Doha-based Usaama Al-Azami, assistant professor at Hamad bin Khalifa University, as condemning Yusuf for serving as vice president of the Abu Dhabi-based Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies, that had issued a statement endorsing Israel-UAE normalization. Al-Azami said that "the bizarre statement closely aligned with the forum's history of legitimizing the decisions of the UAE government."[11] Sheikh Hamza Yusuf Responds To Criticism – October 2019 In response to the waves of criticism that followed his July 2019 appointment to the Commission on Unalienable Rights, Sheikh Yusuf released a video on October 27, 2019, in which he said: "It is really important to remember that Trump is not the government. He is the head of the administration and our system differentiate between the government and the administration. This man was a political appointee meaning that the administration appointed him for a temporary position. The civil servants are there all the time. They are different kinds of officials. People say I joined the Trump... Give me a break. Seriously. This commission is an independent body of academics. It is literally illegal by federal law for the State Department to put any pressure of this committee to come up with what they want."[12] Support For Sheikh Yusuf's Appointment – May 2025 In contrast, Sheikh Yusuf's May 2025 appointment to the Religious Liberty Commission has also been widely praised by Arabs and Muslims in the West, as well as in the Arab region, and was considered by some to be a step in the right direction. On May 18, 2025, Canadian lawyer and law professor Faisal Kutty wrote on X: "I rarely find myself commending anything from the Trump administration. But credit where it's due: the appointment of three Muslims – Shaykh Hamza Yusuf, Sameerah Munshi, and Ismail Royer – to the newly formed Religious Liberty Commission is a positive and notable development. "Agree or disagree with some of their views, the fact remains: there will be Muslim voices at the table – and that matters. This inclusion is particularly significant considering that Imam Husham Al-Husainy,[13] who was initially slated to deliver a benediction at Trump's second inauguration in January 2025, ultimately did not participate in the ceremony. The reasons for his absence remain unclear. While one can (and should) scrutinize the broader motives and policies, the inclusion of Muslim voices in matters of religious liberty is a step in the right direction – especially at a time when anti-Muslim sentiment remains a political currency. We'll continue to hold power accountable. But today, we also recognize this rare but welcome shift."[14] The previous day, May 17, 2025, Saudi researcher and political analyst Hasan Almustafa wrote on his X account in support and praise of Sheikh Yusuf's appointment: "The appointment of Sheikh Hamza Yusuf, Vice President of the Abu Dhabi Forum for Peace, [i.e. the Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies] by President Donald Trump as a member in the Commission on International Religious Freedom [sic] – This [appointment] reflects the power of moderate and rational religious discourse and is a success that reflects positively on the values promoted by the Abu Dhabi Forum for Peace, which are based on cooperation between religions and cultures."[15] Sheikh Abdullah bin Bayyah, head of the UAE's Fatwa Council, right, with Sheikh Hamza Yusuf (Source: May 17, 2025) * Mansour Al-Hadj is Director of the MEMRI Project for Reform in the Arab and Muslim World; Yigal Carmon is Founder and President of MEMRI.
Time of India
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Ex-Jihadist Agents Appointed to Trump Advisory Board? Report Alleges Lashkar, Al-Qaeda Ties Ignored
Two controversial figures with past links to terror groups have reportedly been appointed to Donald Trump's Lay Leaders Advisory Board. Investigative journalist Laura Loomer identified Ismail Royer and Shaykh Hamza Yusuf as appointees, sparking concerns over White House vetting. Royer, a convicted jihadist, was linked to anti-India militant ops in Kashmir and allegedly to the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Yusuf, co-founder of Zaytuna College, has been accused of ties to Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood and faces NIA charges in India. Watch
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.
Economic Times
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Economic Times
Trump's ‘Jihadist' picks? Who are Ismail Royer and Hamza Yusuf, his controversial appointees
Who is Ismail Royer? Live Events Who is Shaykh Hamza Yusuf? (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel 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.
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.
