Hayat Yolu
Hayat Yolu is a non-governmental charity based in Istanbul, Turkey, that claims to conduct operations in several countries, including Turkey, Syria, Yemen, and Somalia. It was founded in 2014 and describes itself as an independent, nonprofit association operating under Turkish law, with programs focused on humanitarian aid, education, food assistance, and refugee support. 1
Contents
In March 2026, Hayat Yolu was named as part of a Hamas “sham charity network” by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) for allegedly serving as a financial and operational hub for the Muslim Brotherhood. It was later revealed that Hayat Yolu had partnered with Indiana University’s Muslim Philanthropy Initiative in hosting fundraising trainings in Turkey and Indonesia between 2025 and 2026. 2 3 4 5
Activities
Hayat Yolu claims to engage in humanitarian-relief efforts and other charity work in areas such as Gaza, the West Bank, Somalia, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, and Iraq. 6 The group also publishes blogs on its website that provide updates on its projects and initiatives. 7
As of 2026, Hayat Yolu’s largest project was its housing initiative to build additional housing for refugees and displaced individuals in northern Syria. The group claims to have developed up to five housing projects with nearly 2,000 units to house over 10,000 refugees. 8
The group also operates a “Gaza 360°” virtual-reality experience allowing users to observe the Gaza Strip. According to its website, additional Hayat Yolu projects include clothing drives, providing educational materials, and bringing healthcare assistance to refugees in several countries including Somalia, Chad, Lebanon, Syria, and Turkey as well as the Gaza Strip. 9 10
Controversy
U.S. Sanctions
In March 2026, the U.S. Department of the Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated Hayat Yolu as a “sham charity” with ties to the Gaza-based Palestinian terror group Hamas. According to OFAC, Hayat Yolu operated as an “operational headquarters, banking and financial hub for the Muslim Brotherhood” and other 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.” 2 11
Indiana University Muslim Initiative
In March 2026, several Indiana state representatives led by Indiana State Rep. Andrew Ireland (R-Indianapolis) sent a letter to Indiana University requesting an investigation into the school’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy and its Muslim Philanthropy Initiative (MPI). 12 The lawmakers expressed concern over the MPI’s ties to Hayat Yolu following the latter’s designation by OFAC. 3 13 4 2
In response, the University investigated MPI and found the group had begun to affiliate with Hayat Yolu upon the request of United Mission for Relief and Development. In addition, the charity worked with MPI to organize several fundraising training programs in Turkey and Indonesia in 2025 and 2026. The University also sent a letter to the initial group of Indiana lawmakers and acknowledged that it suspended all MPI partnerships and activities following OFAC designating Hayat Yolu as a “sham charity.” The University also concluded that the MPI project had not violated any laws. 5 3 14