A Muslim philanthropy group based at Indiana University has reportedly been involved in organizing fundraising training programs alongside a Turkish nonprofit recently sanctioned by the U.S. government. The nonprofit, accused of being a “sham charity,” is alleged to secretly fund Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood.
The Muslim Philanthropy Initiative, affiliated with Indiana University’s School of Philanthropy, is said to have co-organized these training sessions with Hayat Yolu. This collaboration was brought to light through a LinkedIn post and a local news report that surfaced approximately seven months ago.
Last Thursday, the U.S. Department of the Treasury designated Hayat Yolu as a significant participant in an undercover global network. According to officials, this network masquerades as a humanitarian organization while channeling money overseas to support Hamas and its military faction, the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades. It is also said to act as a financial center for the Muslim Brotherhood.
“Hamas continues to finance its military operations by exploiting sham charities to support terrorist activities,” stated Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent on March 12. “The Treasury Department will not tolerate the misuse of the charitable sector for violent purposes, and we will persist in targeting these networks wherever they exist.”
Indiana University’s Muslim Philanthropy Initiative’s alleged involvement with Hayat Yolu, now linked to Hamas, has raised concerns. The training events focused on developing fundraising strategies and were primarily led by Dr. Shariq A. Siddiqui, an assistant professor at the university. He noted that the goal of the training was to create a “domino effect,” as reported by the media outlet RRI.
The events, which focused on fundraising strategies, were primarily led and presented by Indiana University Assistant Professor Dr. Shariq A. Siddiqui, who said the long-term objective of the instruction was to create a “domino effect,” according to media outlet RRI.
The goal was to train attendees with “scientific knowledge” so they could return to their home countries and pass along the advanced fundraising and management techniques to others, the outlet added.
The organizations appeared to gain traction over the months after hosting at least two multi-day training events in Istanbul, Turkey, in July 2025 and in Jakarta, Indonesia, last January.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced last week that Hamas exploits the charitable sector to raise funding. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Their three-day Southeast Asia event notably drew 86 participants from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei and Singapore, RRI reported. The first two days were reportedly devoted entirely to fundraising, focusing on how to raise money “systematically, professionally and scientifically.”
“The first two days concentrate on fundraising, particularly on how to raise money systematically, professionally, and scientifically,” Siddiqui said. “On the third day, we shift to leadership, project management, and volunteer management.”
The Department of the Treasury’s seal outside the Treasury Department building in Washington on May 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)
Separately, the Istanbul event last summer brought together global nonprofit leaders to focus on scaling impact and sustainability, according to a LinkedIn post from an attendee. The training, allegedly led by Siddiqui and Cambridge lecturer Dr. Abed Ayoub, reportedly attracted prominent international philanthropic figures.
Participants said the university’s training helped them better understand how to organize their fundraising efforts and expand their operational networks on a global scale.
Fox News Digital reached out to Indiana University for more information.
