The International Union of Muslim Scholars (IUMS) is an Islamic extremist group and an association of Islamic theologians affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood that was headed by Yusuf al-Qaradawi, described by the Anti-Defamation League as a “radical Muslim Brotherhood ideologue,” until his retirement in 2022. The union is based in Qatar and has been listed as a terrorist organization by multiple Arab states. The organization’s founder, Yusuf al-Qaradawi was barred from entering the United States among other countries and was notable for sanctioning violence against U.S. troops in Iraq and defending Islamic suicide bombers targeting Israelis, stating that “suicide bombs are a duty.” ^{1 2 3}

Background and Stances

The International Union of Muslim Scholars was founded in 2004 by clerics mostly belonging to the Muslim Brotherhood. The group claims to have over 90,000 Muslim preachers and theologians among its membership and is known for its views promoting Islamic political rule in countries throughout the middle east, opposing the state of Israel, promoting violence against the Jewish people and supporting the death penalty as a punishment for homosexuality. ^{4 5 6}

In 2017, countries including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt listed the IUMS as a terrorist organization amid a boycott of Qatar, where the union is based. The four counties cut ties with Qatar the same year and accused it of financing militants in Syria and allying with Iran. ⁷

The Counter Extremism Project lists the IUMS as an extremist group, noting that Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh is a member of the organization. IUMS Secretary-General Ali al-Qaradaghi has stated on behalf of IUMS that “[W]e view Hamas from the perspective of the Palestinian cause, which must remain the pre-eminent cause not just for the union for all Arabs, Muslims and free humanitarians of the world.” ⁸

Leadership

The International Union of Muslim Scholars was led by Yusuf al-Qaradawi until he resigned in August 2022 and died in September 2022. Al-Qarawadi was described as the “theologian of terror” due to his longtime support of suicide bombing. He was banned from entering the United States in 1999 due to his support of terrorism. Following the 9/11 attacks, Qaradawi was revealed to be a major shareholder in the Bahamas-based Al Taqwa Bank, which, according to U.S. treasury officials, was “financing and facilitating” groups such as Hamas and Al-Qaeda. He also condoned the use of children as suicide bombers, stating that “The Israelis might have nuclear bombs, but we have the children bomb—and these human bombs must continue until liberation.” ⁹

Al-Qarawadi also instructed that “homosexuals should be executed either by ‘burning or stoning’” and in a 2009 sermon lashed out against Jews, calling on God to “kill them, down to the very last one.” ^{10 11}

Following the resignation and death of al-Qarawadi in 2022, the union appointed Ahmed Raissouni as its leader, who later resigned after triggering controversy over the Western Sahara region by stating that Mauritania should be part of Morocco. The IUMS then appointed Habib Salem Saqqaf Al-Jafri as its new leader. Al-Jafri, 68, holds a Ph.D. in Islamic Law (Sharia) and worked as a lecturer at the Islamic State University and the Sharif Hidayatullah University in Jakarta. ¹²

1. Barnett, Antony. “Suicide bombs are a duty, says Islamic scholar.” The Guardian. August 27, 2005.  Accessed December 2, 2022. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2005/aug/28/uk.terrorism
2. “Islamist group rejects terrorism charge by states boycotting Qatar.” Reuters. December 1, 2017. Accessed December 2, 2022.  https://www.reuters.com/article/gulf-qatar/islamist-group-rejects-terrorism-charge-by-states-boycotting-qatar-idUSL8N1O12V8
3. “Home.” International Union of Muslim Scholars. Accessed December 2, 2022. https://iumsonline.org/en/
4. “Islamist group rejects terrorism charge by states boycotting Qatar.” Reuters. December 1, 2017. Accessed December 2, 2022.  https://www.reuters.com/article/gulf-qatar/islamist-group-rejects-terrorism-charge-by-states-boycotting-qatar-idUSL8N1O12V8
5. “A Portrait of Muslim Brotherhood’s Supreme Authority.” The Jerusalem Post. March 2, 2011. Accessed December 2, 2022.  https://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/A-portrait-of-Muslim-Brotherhoods-supreme-authority
6. Cusack, Jim and Dooley, Mark. “’Theologian of terror’ held radical Islamic council session here.” Independent.ie. March 6, 2005. Accessed December 2, 2022. https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/theologian-of-terror-held-radical-islamic-council-session-here-26205745.html
7.  “Islamist group rejects terrorism charge by states boycotting Qatar.” Reuters. December 1, 2017. Accessed December 2, 2022.  https://www.reuters.com/article/gulf-qatar/islamist-group-rejects-terrorism-charge-by-states-boycotting-qatar-idUSL8N1O12V8
8. ^[1] “International Union of Muslim Scholars.” Counter Extremism Project. Accessed December 2, 2022. https://www.counterextremism.com/threat/international-union-muslim-scholars-iums
9. Cusack, Jim and Dooley, Mark. “’Theologian of terror’ held radical Islamic council session here.” Independent.ie. March 6, 2005. Accessed December 2, 2022. https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/theologian-of-terror-held-radical-islamic-council-session-here-26205745.html
10. “Sheik Yusuf al-Qaradawi: Theologian of Terror.” Anti-Defamation League. May 3, 2015. Accessed December 2, 2022. https://www.adl.org/news/article/sheik-yusuf-al-qaradawi-theologian-of-terror
11. Cusack, Jim and Dooley, Mark. “’Theologian of terror’ held radical Islamic council session here.” Independent.ie. March 6, 2005. Accessed December 2, 2022. https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/theologian-of-terror-held-radical-islamic-council-session-here-26205745.html
12. “Muslim scholars’ union appoints new chairperson.” Middle East Monitor. September 11, 2022. Accessed December 2, 2022. https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220911-muslim-scholars-union-appoints-new-chairperson/