Episcopal Relief and Development is an agency of the Episcopal Church. It is working hand in hand with the jihad-linked organization Islamic Relief USA (IRUSA), which is an affiliate of Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW) — “the largest international Islamic charity in the world, with a $240 million operating budget, nearly 300 employees, chapters in more than 12 countries with their own multi-billion dollar budgets, and operations in over 30 countries, all based in Birmingham, England.”
IRW has been reported to be terror-linked by NGO Monitor and other organizations and countries. IRW is also banned in the United Arab Emirates because of its alleged ties to the Muslim Brotherhood. The Center for Security Policy has reported that “IRUSA has multiple officials with direct ties to the Muslim Brotherhood (MB).” Also according to the Center for Security Policy:
The IRUSA’s President and Board Chairman, Mohamed Amr Attaiwa, was listed as the MB’s New England Director in a phone directory from 1991. At one time, Attaiwa served as the Vice President of the Muslim American Society, which was once described by federal prosecutors as “the overt arm of the Muslim Brotherhood in America.” An admitted MB member and convicted terrorist, Abdurraham Alamoudi, has openly said that the Muslim American Society is a part of the MB.
The IRUSA’s Operations Manager (a point of contact and speaker at many IRUSA fundraisers) is Ahmed Shehata, who was one of the 21 Muslim brotherhood leaders arrested in Alexandria, Egypt in January 2009. Ahmed Shehata has liked at least eighteen pro-MB pages on Facebook as well.
Hamdy Radwan, who has served on the IRUSA’s Board of Directors since 2012 said in an interview in November 2006, that he views Hamas as a group of freedom fighters, rather than as a terrorist organization.
The IRUSA’s founder, chairman and CEO from 1993-1996, and current senior advisor to the board Ahmad Esmat El-Bendary was once the president of the Muslim American Society and currently serves on its Board of Trustees.
In addition to many of its leaders being affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood, the IRUSA often has Islamist speakers at its events such as Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi, Suhaib Webb, the former Imam of the Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center, and Imam Siraj Wahaj, an unindicted co-conspirator in the trial for the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center.
Now comes news that the Episcopal Relief and Islamic Relief USA have renewed their partnership, which began in 2016, to “increase engagement among Christian and Muslim faith leaders…”
The partnership was aimed at ending gender-based violence in Liberia. Now Episcopal Relief has partnered with the Hamas linked organization yet again:
Episcopal Relief & Development has received a second, three-year, $600,000 grant from Islamic Relief USA (IRUSA) to expand a ground-breaking partnership with the humanitarian arm of the Episcopal Church of Liberia (ECL-RD) to combat gender-based violence in Liberia. This program, which equips faith and community leaders to transform harmful cultural and religious attitudes towards women, is also supported by a grant from the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women, The Laura Ellen & Robert Muglia Family Foundation, and other generous donations.
How does a Christian organization justify partnering with a jihad-linked organization? And oh, the irony of working with a terrorism-linked organization to combat “gender-based violence.” The Episcopal Church should be concerning itself with helping persecuted Christians who are experiencing a jihad-driven genocide in Africa and the Middle East.
“Episcopal Relief & Development Receives $600,000 Grant from Islamic Relief USA to Expand Work to Combat Violence Against Women and Girls in Liberia,” Episcopal News Service, February 9, 2020:
Episcopal Relief & Development has received a second, three-year, $600,000 grant from Islamic Relief USA (IRUSA) to expand a ground-breaking partnership with the humanitarian arm of the Episcopal Church of Liberia (ECL-RD) to combat gender-based violence in Liberia. This program, which equips faith and community leaders to transform harmful cultural and religious attitudes towards women, is also supported by a grant from the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women, The Laura Ellen & Robert Muglia Family Foundation, and other generous donations.
Liberia is considered one of the most dangerous countries in the world for women and children. More than 50% of Liberians live in poverty and the country has some of the highest rates globally of violence against women and girls. Violence takes many forms, including female genital cutting, child marriage and economic violence such as the denial of education. According to the United Nations, 39% of women experience physical or sexual intimate partner violence at least once in their lifetime. Faith and community leaders play a critical role in helping shape positive cultural views on gender equality.
“Women have been crucial in peacebuilding and development in Liberia, and this International Women’s Day we celebrate their economic, cultural and political achievements,” said Chiseche Mibenge, Director of Gender Initiatives for Episcopal Relief & Development. “Islamic Relief USA’s generous support for ECL-RD’s work with faith leaders to attain gender equality is an affirmation of Liberian women’s dignity and the transformative impact that the program has had on communities.”
Launched in 2015, the initial phase of the project worked to engage faith leaders in two counties, developing a gender-based violence prevention toolkit and training 84 Christian and Muslim faith leaders to speak out against violence against women and girls in their communities. The program also equipped faith leaders to more effectively support survivors of violence. Through trainings and organized events, this core group of leaders then reached out to 679 imams and priests. This second phase of the project, Scaling Up Faith Leaders Engagement to Prevent and Respond to Violence Against Women & Girls (VAWG Liberia), continues the work in the initial two counties, and expands to two additional ones in order to train and equip 237 faith leaders and 360 youth leaders across 54 townships. The overall goal of VAWG Liberia is for over 28,000 women and girls to experience less intimate partner violence and non-partner sexual violence, and to have increased access to support services.
“Islamic Relief USA’s partnership in this program has been instrumental in shifting harmful attitudes and behaviors towards women and girls,” said Annette Musu Kiawu, the National Director for Episcopal Church of Liberia Relief & Development. “They have inspired a spirit of reconciliation in our multi-faith society and helped us to recognize the value of engaging both Christian and Muslim faith leaders to transform communities.
“Islamic Relief USA is proud of its partnership with Episcopal Relief & Development that has focused on tackling one of the most pressing issues impacting women and girls in Liberia,” said Sharif Aly, CEO of Islamic Relief USA. “Through a comprehensive, faith grounded approach, we have been able to build trust throughout communities and make significant progress towards combating gender-based violence in an oftentimes highly volatile environment.”…..
Frank Anderson says
The great Dale Carnegie, one of my inspirations, taught to expect ingratitude because that is the general and normal response to kindness. Now, we should also expect ignorance, stupidity, treachery, betrayal, sloth, collaboration, and treason among many who handle money we contribute in hope of our aiding worthy causes. The people we entrust with our money do not care what we want. They have goals that are often not only different, but contrary to ours. Look long and hard before giving money.
James Lincoln says
Very true, Frank.
And to think that, years back, I used to stand out in the cold “ringing the bell” for the Salvation Army.
Over the years, I’ve also given fair sums of money to other Christian organizations.
I assumed that the money was all going towards “worthy” causes.
Now I’m not so sure…
Frank Anderson says
James, how many times have you seen my quoting the Doubter’s Meditation? “Cherish your doubts, for doubt is the handmaiden of the truth. . . ” One of the reasons I find the teachings of Judaism so compelling.
Sabri S. says
This article is absolute bullshit!! Islamic relief is an honorable and legitimate charity. They have been around for ages, and I have seen their great work in the UK, Africa and Canada. Try again Christina…this smear campaign and false agenda is not working…
Frank Anderson says
Sabri, you most clearly illustrate that you at the moment either know nothing about the teachings of islam or that your are actively lying in performance of Islamic deception. To see just how much you don’t know start by reading Medical Doctor Wafa Sultan’s A God Who Hates, if you can. If muslims treat their wives and daughters like this, what makes you think they care about any non-muslim’s rights or welfare? Look at the rape gangs running wild in the UK, (no longer Great). Look at the 1400 years of killing and taking as sex slaves of surviving women AND BOYS. On the possibility you might actually think by accident to learn what you don’t seem to know, please consider reading these books in order:
Abridged Koran-Bill Warner
Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam and the Crusades-Robert Spencer
The Unfinished Battle-Mark Gabriel
The Political Traditions of Mohammed: The Hadith for the Unbelievers-Bill Warner
Mohammed and the Unbelievers: A Political Life-Bill Warner
Any or all of dozens to hundreds of other books on the subject by a variety of authors.
Islam teaches hatred, intolerance and war for non-muslims and the total worthlessness of women.
I had a friend who died over 10 years ago, There was a time when he had a day for me when nobody else had 5 minutes. One of his profound teachings (source otherwise unknown) was:
A person who knows and knows not that he knows is asleep-Awaken him.
A person who knows not and knows that he knows not is ignorant-Help him learn,
A person who knows and knows that he knows is wise-Learn from him.
A person who knows not and knows not that he knows not is a fool-Avoid him.
Unless you fit in the last category there could be a chance you could learn some important things that could make your life better. In any event there may be others who might benefit by my note. Please accept my sincere wish that you learn better than you display at the moment. You are not alone in your total ignorance of what islam intends for you.
James Lincoln says
Frank, excellent post – my compliments.
It is doubtful that Sabri S. has either the desire – or the ability – to think critically using factual, evidence-based logic.
He is either a muslim or muslim apologist who trolls this website.
But as you stated, others may benefit from your post…
Frank Anderson says
James, your opinion and compliments are appreciated. I’m still trying to light some candles. Frank
Mike Stevens says
Frank Anderson is correct. Any “aid” often doesn’t reach the intended recipients, but goes into the bank accounts of the many corrupt governments and military of supposed “developing” countries in black Africa and the Muslim world. Most of these countries are hellholes of their own making, because of the people’s inability – and unwillingness – to co-exist and form free, democratic societies.
Of course there are millions of innocent victims, but if their own governments ignore and mistreat them, it’s not up to us to take care of them. A case in point is Zimbabwe, which was receiving aid from all over the world, including Britain. Yet while his people were starving, Mugabe lived in palaces and had estimated assets of a billion pounds, and his wife Grace, “Gucci Grace”, was taking private jets to Paris to buy shoes.
These religious organisations are misguided fools.
Ray Jarman says
Mike, Your point is spot on and if anyone has visited Maputo prior to Mugabe’s down fall can tell you that most streets there are in bad conditions with little to no markings until one reaches the vicinity where he lived. There the streets were well lit and fresh pavement was obvious and street signs and road markings were very visible.
Mugabe also told the Obama administration that when USAID provided money to fill his pockets, the US would have to also pay a tariff on the gifts (often erroneously labeled as aid) that the American tax payers were giving. This was to help him walk since his pockets of cash weighed him down so badly. The real shame is that the people of Zimbabwe are hard working Christians who deserved better than they were receiving.
mortimer says
The strange thing is why a jihad organization would give money to support women’s rights. Doesn’t make much sense. What could the jihadists get out of this? Someone should dig into it.
Frank Anderson says
Mortimer, do I misunderstand the article? Was the Christian group taking money from the muslim group or were the blind, deaf and dumb sending money to muslims to work against muslim teachings? Please help me in my confusion?
gravenimage says
Frank, you are right that the Episcopalian group is technically receiving money from Islamic Relief, but it sounds as thought the money comes ultimately from the UN.
As for what Islamic Relief gets out of this, they probably get a nice big fig leaf for working with an actual charity.
Frank Anderson says
GI, thank you for correcting my error. The muslims are contributing money to a “Christian” organization to challenge standard, orthodox, “final, perfect, complete, unchangeable” teachings? This is prohibited reform and apostasy! Where are the vigilantes?
gravenimage says
Frank, it was your post that led me to take a closer look at who was funding who–than you.
But I think Islamic Relief is just looking for respected cover here. I really doubt they are really opposing Islamic savagery against women and girls.
Frank Anderson says
GI, we generally work together; and always work for the same goals.
gravenimage says
I imagine they are just lining their pockets and laughing up their sleeves, to mix my metaphors.
Kepha says
The Episcopal Church in the USA can be trusted to bow to whatever the Zeitgeist is. It’s most treasured teaching at this point is that everything is in flux, save someone’s LGBTQWXYZ identitty, which is immutably and eternally written with a diamond. A close second is anything a man can do, a woman can do better. A third is that you don[t dare rock these boats.
It does not surprise me that it is partnering with an Islamic organization–the more radical the better (from the Episcopalian POV). If it learns that the males in their Islamic partnering org. regualarly beat their wives or take nine-year-old concubines, they’ll say, “It’s just their culture, and who are we to judge?” Now, of course, the Episcopal Church is very proud that it is soooooooo much more moral and righteous than benighted **Ugh!–fundamentalists!, as long as those **Ugh!–fundamentalists are labeled as Christian rather than Muslim by the MSM.
The Episcopalian Church,
Leaves Christian belief in the lurch.
In its churchly version
Sexual perversion
Is the one thing you can’t besmirch!
It’s a blind guides and whited sepulchre outfit.
gravenimage says
Kepha, it is not just the Episcopalians who have been snowed when it comes to Islam–the Catholic and Lutheran Churches have been, as well, and many other Christian and Jewish charities.
gravenimage says
Here’s Islamic Relief pretending to work with the Lutheran World Federation and the World Council of Churches on the same issue:
https://www.islamic-relief.org/joining-un-debate-on-gender-based-violence/
gravenimage says
Episcopal Church agency partnering with jihad-linked Islamic Relief USA to combat gender-based violence
……………
Utter insanity. And Islam is the greatest purveyor of violence against women. How can anyone be this clueless? (Rhetorical question)
Lydia Church says
“The Episcopal Church should be concerning itself with helping persecuted Christians who are experiencing a jihad-driven genocide in Africa and the Middle East.”
Bingo!!!
Exactly. But this is just more building of the idol of the one world religion. They are such hypocrites!
Giacomo Latta says
We could all do with some Islamic relief. Too bad the name of the group is just more taqiyya.