Protesters at a U.S. university, who faced disciplinary actions for causing disruption, reportedly received $1,000 payments from an Islamic nonprofit organization, according to a report by the Network Infection Research Institute (NCRI) and the Intelligent Advocacy Network (IAN).
The funds were said to have been given to students penalized for their involvement in pro-Palestinian demonstrations surrounding the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023.
This money came from the Defenders of Justice Fund, which was set up by the California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as a form of institutional support.
CAIR affiliates in California, particularly in San Francisco and Los Angeles, reportedly raised over $100,000 to assist these students, though records indicate that $64,000 was explicitly noted in donations.
The grants were provided as interest-free loans to those who lost scholarships, housing, or other support for their activism, according to information on CAIR’s website.
In October 2024, CAIR-CA distributed $20,000 in loans and scholarships to a group of 20 student demonstrators from the Defenders of Justice Fund.
While the names of the recipients weren’t disclosed, the institutions they attended—like Columbia University, the University of Pennsylvania, and Harvard—were mentioned in CAIR’s documentation.
This funding potentially included students suspended or expelled from Columbia for occupying Hamilton Hall on April 30, 2024, where they barricaded themselves and confronted police.
Joel Finkelstein, founder of NCRI, expressed concern to the Post, noting that such programs reward students after they engage in criminal or violent actions, which ultimately supports a more extreme movement.
One anonymous individual described experiencing severe repercussions for their pro-Palestinian advocacy, including losing a summer law firm position and facing threats. Details of this account align with those of Ibrahim Barmal, who was arrested at Harvard after participating in a protest.
Barmal later served community service and completed an anger management program after an incident during a demonstration. Despite being involved in a controversial protest, he received no disciplinary actions from Harvard and later earned a substantial scholarship.
CAIR leadership has shown support for various anti-Israel events. For instance, Hassam Ailush, a CAIR official, conducted a teach-in at a protest in Riverside, California.
CAIR claims to be the largest Islamic charity in the U.S., with financial backing from numerous progressive nonprofit organizations. They assert that a small share of their funding originates from outside the country. However, they settled a legal case concerning demands for transparency about overseas funds.
The organization has previously received a notable donation from a Saudi prince. There are ongoing investigations into CAIR regarding potential financial misrepresentations related to federal funds.
Documents indicate that CAIR California managed to secure millions for immigrant resettlement, yet records revealed they only assisted a fraction of the intended beneficiaries.
NCRI and IAN have requested a forensic audit to track CAIR California’s donations, claiming that over $17 million was received in 2023.
In response, attorneys for CAIR-California denied any wrongdoing, arguing that accusations stem from a broader anti-Muslim narrative and asserting that all funds are properly accounted for and subject to strict auditing.
CAIR’s roots trace back to the late 1980s and early 1990s, connected to the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas. A report has highlighted that federal court records from a major terrorist financing trial identified CAIR as an unindicted co-conspirator, suggesting significant links to pro-Hamas activities.
CAIR has contested these claims, referring to the trial as flawed and declaring that decisions made in court were unconstitutional.
