An international charity with an American affiliate is facing scrutiny over alleged connections to organizations linked to Hamas and other Islamist groups. The concerns raise questions about the oversight of tax-exempt nonprofits operating in the United States and the potential flow of charitable funds through networks with extremist ties.
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From Just the News:
Beginning in at least 2021, Dompet has partnered with an organization called Merciful Hands Charity in Gaza. The partnership apparently ended at some point in 2024, and Merciful Hands was sanctioned by the U.S. government in January 2026 as a Hamas/Al-Qassam Brigades supporting charity.
Al-Qassam Brigades is the military wing of Hamas. Though Dompet’s partnership ended before the sanction, it was close to Merciful Hands as the sanctioned organization showed visible indicators of Hamas influence. For example, in July 2024, Merciful Hands celebrated the release of the al-Shifa Medical Complex director after he had been arrested at the beginning of the Israel-Palestine war.
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In March 2022, Merciful Hands Gaza posted an image from an event honoring wounded individuals that shows Hamas flags and logos on stage, with numerous participants even wearing Hamas-branded scarves.
Dompet Dhuafa was founded in Indonesia in 1993 and has since expanded internationally through affiliates and partner organizations. According to reports, Dompet Dhuafa USA was established in Virginia in 2014 and has maintained connections with the broader international network. Critics point to statements made by the organization regarding Hamas and the October 7, 2023 terrorist attacks as evidence of ideological concerns that extend beyond humanitarian work.
Additional scrutiny has focused on Dompet’s reported partnerships with organizations operating in Gaza and Lebanon. One such organization, Ghirass for Society Development, has been linked to figures associated with the Lebanese Muslim Brotherhood. Reports indicate that Dompet worked with Ghirass to deliver humanitarian aid into Gaza following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war, while maintaining a visible partnership relationship through public materials and organizational websites.
The controversy also comes amid broader congressional investigations into how American taxpayer dollars have been distributed through international NGOs. Earlier this year, Rep. Jim Jordan released findings alleging that federal grant money under the Biden-Harris administration flowed to organizations involved in political activities in Israel. Separately, the Treasury Department sanctioned multiple charities accused of serving as financial conduits for Hamas.
These allegations underscore the importance of accountability, transparency, and discernment in charitable giving. Humanitarian aid can be a powerful expression of compassion, but let’s pray that assistance reaches those in need without empowering organizations that promote violence, terrorism, or hatred.
Share your prayers for wisdom, accountability, and integrity in charitable organizations and government oversight efforts in the comments below.
(Excerpt from Just the News. Photo Credit: Nikolas Gannon on Unsplash)
