United Mission for Relief and Development (UMR)

In March 2026, Indiana state representatives requested an investigation into Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy for its Muslim Philanthropy Initiative (MPI), a project that partnered with UMR. According to Indiana University, UMR had encouraged MPI to partner with the Hayat Yolu Association, a Turkey-based organization that the U.S. Department of the Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated as a “sham charity” with ties to militant group Hamas. However, after an investigation, Indiana University determined the initiative violated no laws. ^{4  5  6  7}

Background

The United Mission for Relief and Development was founded under the name “United Muslim Relief” as a university club at George Mason University. According to UMR’s website, United Muslim Relief merged with Muslims Without Borders and officially transitioned from a university club to a charitable organization in 2013. By 2015, United Muslim Relief opened its first international field offices in Kenya and Jordan to begin its humanitarian relief projects. In 2018, the group officially rebranded as the United Mission for Relief and Development. UMR has offices in nine countries and 15 chapters at American universities, including at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, Rutgers University, Temple University, George Mason University, the University of Texas-Dallas, the University of Texas-Austin, the University of Virginia, and Virginia Tech. ^{3  1}

Activities

As of 2026, the United Mission for Relief and Development (UMR) operated philanthropic projects in Jordan, the Palestinian territories, Lebanon, Sudan, Kenya, Yemen, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Somalia. ² UMR’s programming includes clean water projects, health-care initiatives, orphan support, educational services, and Ramadan observances.  ^{8  9  10  11  12}

According to its 2024 annual report, UMR spent over $143 million on medical services and health care and over $2 million on food provision and emergency relief. Also in 2024, UMR spent over $57 million of its revenue in Gaza and over $43 million on projects in Yemen. ¹³

In November 2023, UMR launched an emergency $1.5 million fundraising campaign to address what it considered the “intensifying humanitarian crisis in Gaza” following Hamas’ October 7, 2023 terrorist attack against Israel and Israel’s military response. Through this campaign, UMR partnered with the Hashemite Charity Organization, local Palestinian nonprofits, and the United Nations (UN). UMR also collaborates with other pro-Palestinian groups in Gaza, including Rahmah Worldwide, International Humanitarian Relief, the Pious Project, Medglobal, and the Palestine Tomorrow Association. ¹⁴

Controversies

In March 2026, eight Indiana state representatives issued a letter to Indiana University requesting an investigation into the university’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy and its Muslim Philanthropy Initiative (MPI). ⁴ The MPI was founded in 2017 and claims to conduct “rigorous research, education, training, and convening” to “equip communities, organizations, and leaders with objective information and thought leadership on Muslim philanthropy.” ^{15  6}

The Indiana lawmakers, led by Indiana State Representative Andrew Ireland (R-Indianapolis), expressed concern over the Muslim Philanthropy Initiative’s ties to the United Mission for Relief and Development (UMR) and the Hayat Yolu Association, which the U.S. Department of the Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated as a “sham charity” with ties to militant group Hamas in March 2026. According to OFAC, Hayat Yolu is a Turkey-based philanthropic organization that operates as an “operational headquarters, banking and financial hub for the Muslim Brotherhood” and Hamas-affiliated groups. OFAC claimed that Hayat Yolu participates in a global network of financiers that “fund [Hamas’] Military Wing, the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades.” ^{5  6  16}

Following the Indiana lawmakers’ request, Indiana University launched an investigation into the Muslim Philanthropy Initiative. According to an April 2026 letter from the university to the state representatives, MPI began collaborating with Hayat Yolu at the recommendation of the United Mission for Relief and Development. The initiative worked with Hayat Yolu on international fundraising programs in Istanbul, Turkey and Indonesia in July 2025 and January 2026. Hayat Yolu also reimbursed travel expenses for MPI Director Shariq Siddiqui. Indiana University stated that after OFAC designated Hayat Yolu a “sham charity,” the university suspended all new MPI partnerships and activities and began a review of the initiative’s partnerships. Ultimately, Indiana University claimed that following its investigation of MPI, the project did not violate any laws. State Representative Ireland expressed his appreciation for the university addressing the matter seriously and urged the school to continue its review of the Muslim Philanthropy Initiative and its ties to Hamas. ^{7  5}

Leadership

As of 2026, Abed Ayoub was the president and CEO of the United Mission for Relief and Development (UMR). He is the former CEO of Islamic Relief USA, the U.S. affiliate of one of the largest Islamic charities in the world. In 2010, Ayoub was appointed to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to serve on its Advisory Committee on Voluntary Foreign Aid. He was reappointed to that position in 2013, serving two terms. Ayoub has also served two terms with the U.S. State Department’s Religion and Foreign Policy Working Group. ¹⁷

As of 2026, Ayoub was an adjunct faculty member of the Fund Raising School at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University. At the time, he was also a member of the advisory board of the Center on Muslim Philanthropy and as both a member of the board of trustees and faculty member at the Islamic Seminary of America in Dallas, Texas. As of 2026, he was certified as an executive director, master business coach, and professional coach. He was also a certified international professional trainer for German Jordanian University (GJU) and a lecturer for Cambridge International College, U.K. Ayoub holds a Ph.D. in International Development. ¹⁷

As of 2026, Samer Darwish was the chairman of UMR’s board of trustees. At that time, he was working in Silicon Valley as an applications engineer and senior sales manager. Darwish previously served at the Muslim Community Association of the San Francisco Bay Area as the vice president and president from 2009 to 2012. He holds master’s degrees in electrical engineering and engineering applied science from the University of California, Davis. During college, Darwish was a chapter president for the Muslim American Society (MAS). ¹⁸