The Islamic Foundation of America (IFA) describes itself as a “non-profit organization in the U.S. that aspires to share in the responsibility of spreading Islam and nurturing Muslims in their faith as mandated to them by Allah the Most Gracious and His blessed Prophet Muhammed, praise be upon him, … so that they become strong in their faith, achieving a meaningful positive influence in the world at large.” IFA adds that it is “moderate in its teachings” and “does not in any way teach fanaticism or radicalism.” It operates a school, a mosque, and a prison outreach program.

IFA was founded by Jaafar Idris, a Sudanese national who espouses Wahhabism, a radical, extremist form of Islam. Formerly the President of American Open University in Alexandria, Idris was deported from the United States in 2004. IFA, along with many other Islamic charities, is currently under scrutiny by the U.S. Senate Finance Committee for allegedly “financ[ing] terrorism and perpetuat[ing] violence.”

IFA chose neither to endorse nor participate in “Free Muslims March Against Terror,” a May 14, 2005 event whose purpose was to “send a message to the terrorists and extremists that their days are numbered . . . [and to send] a message to the people of the Middle East, the Muslim world and all people who seek freedom, democracy and peaceful coexistence that we support them.”