This report analyzes the role played by the Qatar-based International Union of Muslim Scholars (IUMS) in the context of the Israel-Hamas war that erupted October 7, 2023. Founded by the late Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, broadly regarded as the spiritual leader of the Muslim Brotherhood for decades, IUMS was established in 2004 as a collective fatwa-issuing institution. It has a broad global reach thanks to its savvy use of both traditional communication and social media.
An analysis of IUMS’ output during the first weeks of the conflict clearly shows:
- Religious Legitimization of Hamas’ Actions. IUMS’ discourse and activities since the beginning of the war have focused on providing religious legitimacy to the actions undertaken by the terrorist organization, indicating a nuanced intertwining of religious discourse and political objectives between the two parties.
- Violent Discourse and Calls to Jihad. IUMS’ discourse during the examined period exhibits a distinctly violent nature. A substantial component of IUMS’s communication strategy during the conflict involves constant calls for mobilization and jihad, aligning with the organization’s interpretation of the concept of “defensive jihad” as an obligation for all Muslims in the current context.
- IUMS’ Ties to Qatar. A substantial body of evidence strongly undermines IUMS’s self-professed independence, namely through its close ties with the Qatari government, of which it can be defined as a soft power asset.