Islamic Relief USA (IRUSA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in the United States, regulated and registered under U.S. law. Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW) is a charity based in the U.K. IRUSA previously worked with IRW to implement international humanitarian and development programs. In October 2025, IRUSA formally suspended all activities requiring engagement or coordination with IRW because, in view of a number of developments, IRUSA made the judgment that continued engagement or coordination posed unacceptable risk to IRUSA’s ability to operate as an American non-profit.
In March 2026, IRUSA was compelled to file a lawsuit against IRW due to the escalating and unacceptable risks posed by IRW’s actions following the suspension of the relationship. In addition to heightened government scrutiny resulting from various allegations against IRW (which the government associated with IRUSA), IRW attempted to solicit funds in the United States without proper state registration and hindered IRUSA’s oversight of funds by blocking audit requests for specific charitable projects. These actions created significant risks that jeopardized IRUSA’s ability to fulfill its charitable mandate. IRUSA attempted to negotiate an amicable separation given these concerns, but IRW declined to negotiate and instead took the post-suspension steps referenced above.
IRUSA is an entirely separate and independent entity and has no information and can express no views on allegations related to IRW. However, given the shared name and IRW’s recent efforts to solicit donations in the United States, IRUSA faces an unacceptable risk that donors and regulators conflate the two entities, jeopardizing its philanthropic mission. IRUSA also faces the risk of regulatory action taken against IRUSA based upon allegations against IRW, a risk that would jeopardize IRUSA even if the allegations are eventually found to lack substance.
This legal action will reaffirm IRUSA’s complete independence across its mission, governance, and operations. It also underscores IRUSA’s commitment to advancing its relief efforts through rigorous due diligence and meticulous financial oversight. Finally, the lawsuit will establish that IRW’s post-suspension conduct has improperly caused damage to IRUSA’s reputation that should be adjudicated and compensated.