Islamic Media Foundation (IMF) is an organization that produces news and programs relating to Muslims within the United States for broadcast media and the internet. Much of its programming is targeted to the younger generation. Its Facebook page makes the claim that it is the “Voice of Muslim Americans.” ^[1]

The Foundation launched the Islamic Broadcasting Network (IBN) in 2001, which was the first Islamic-focused network to broadcast daily in the United States. ^[2]

Mamdouh Rezeika was the founder and executive director of Islamic Media Foundation. Rezeika, who was considered a leader in the Virginia Muslim community, passed away in March 2022. ^[3]

Background

Islamic Media Foundation was formed in 1998 ^[4] and incorporated in Sterling, Virginia in October 2002. ^[5] It produces programs for radio and television based on Islamic values and ideas, with the goal of educating the public about Islam and Muslims. ^[6] Programs include talk shows, comedy shows, news, documentaries, and Islamic history and are targeted to the younger generation. ^[7]

Programs

IBN (Islamic Broadcasting Network) was launched by Islamic Media Foundation in 2001. It was the first Islamic network to broadcast daily in the United States. ^[8] As of October 3, 2022, the IBN.net website no longer exists.

Funding

Islamic Media Foundation’s 2019 tax return shows revenue of $23,400 and expenses of $13,115. ^[9] A limited extract of financial data for 2020 shows revenue of $4,855 and expenses of $16,137. ^[10]

Leadership

Mamdouh Rezeika was executive director of Islamic Media Foundation. ^[11] The Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) published a Twitter message on March 3, 2022 indicating that Rezeika passed away. He was considered a leader of the Virginia Muslim community. The message indicated that Rezeika was the founder of the Islamic Media Foundation, which educated the public about Muslims. ^[12]

Sohaib Elsayed is listed as registered agent and director on the Virginia State Corporation Commission site. ^[13] Elsayed was a doctor practicing general family medicine in Sterling, Virginia. ^[14] In 2020, he became medical director of PACS Urgent Care, a physician-owned urgent care group. Elsayed volunteers as a family practice physician for the Islamic Medical Association of North America Disaster and Humanitarian Relief. ^[15]

Abdalla Idris Ali is the chair of Islamic Media Foundation. He was previously a director of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA). ^[16] ISNA provides programs and services to the Muslim community in the United States, ^[17] including an annual convention which is considered the largest Muslim gathering in the United States, ^[18] conferences, scholarships, youth programs, and the Islamic Horizons magazine. ^[19]

Shaker Elsayed was listed as a director for Islamic Media Foundation on its 2019 tax return. ^[20] Elsayed was previously secretary general of the Muslim American Society and director of education at the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA). ^[21]