International Union of Muslim Scholars
Islamism
The International Union of Muslim Scholars (IUMS) is a prominent organization of Islamic theologians, sometimes described as the “supreme authority of the Muslim Brotherhood.” Founded on July 11, 2004, the IUMS has its headquarters in Qatar and Dublin. The IUMS was established during a visit by the late Global Muslim Brotherhood leader Yusuf al-Qaradawi to London for a meeting of the European Council for Fatwa and Research. Al-Qaradawi served as the IUMS’s first president until his resignation in August 2022; he passed away in September 2022. Following his resignation, Moroccan scholar Ahmed al-Raissouni, a founding member of the Global Anti-Aggression Campaign (GAAC), succeeded him as president until he was replaced by Kurdish scholar Muhiddin Al-Qaradaghi in 2024. The IUMS claims to represent approximately 90,000 Muslim scholars worldwide, encompassing Sunni, Shia, and Ibadi Muslims. However, its leadership has consistently included prominent members of the Muslim Brotherhood. Notably, many individuals associated with the Global Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas continue to serve as IUMS trustees, with several residing in Western countries. The IUMS has faced criticism and scrutiny for its affiliations and activities. In 2017, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain designated the IUMS as a terrorist organization, citing its alleged connections to extremist groups. Despite these designations, the IUMS maintains that it is an independent organization dedicated to promoting Islamic scholarship and unity among Muslims globally.