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CAIR-Ohio announced on September 3 that it hired Abdul Samad Amjad as Director of Government & Community Relations, an appointment first reported by Anna Selman at American Israelite Today. Amjad previously served as associate director of Indiana University’s Muslim Philanthropy Initiative (MPI), which was shut down following scrutiny over its work with Hayat Yolu, a Turkish charity later sanctioned by the Treasury Department for supporting Hamas.
StopAntisemitism highlighted the appointment over the weekend, pointing to Amjad’s former senior position at MPI and the initiative’s Hayat Yolu controversy. IU closed MPI in July following months of scrutiny over its work with Hayat Yolu, one of four organizations the Treasury Department described as “sham charities” supporting Hamas.
Treasury said Hayat Yolu was part of Hamas’s international funding network, which enabled the group to generate revenue “in direct support of Hamas’ military wing.” The department also identified Hayat Yolu as an “operational headquarters, banking and financial hub for the Muslim Brotherhood.”
From MPI to a Treasury-Designated Charity
MPI conducted two training programs involving Hayat Yolu, one in Istanbul in July 2025 and another in Indonesia in January 2026. The programs covered fundraising, nonprofit management, leadership and related skills. The Hayat Yolu-related programs were led by MPI director Shariq Siddiqui, while Amjad was serving as the initiative’s associate director. Hayat Yolu reimbursed Siddiqui for flights, hotels, transportation and meals associated with the programs, and MPI later thanked the organization for its “generous support.”
On March 12, the Treasury Department formally designated Hayat Yolu under U.S. counterterrorism authorities. The designation prompted Indiana University to investigate MPI’s relationship with the organization. IU ultimately suspended MPI’s training activities and new partnerships, reviewed its existing relationships and strengthened its oversight procedures before closing the initiative in late July.
CAIR Faces Mounting Scrutiny
The appointment comes as CAIR faces separate questions over how materials promoted through its network are vetted before being directed toward schools and public institutions. Two weeks ago, Jewish Onliner found that a CAIR-endorsed K-12 September 11 curriculum listed Osama bin Laden’s “Letter to America” among background resources spanning elementary, middle and high school. After the curriculum drew scrutiny, CAIR National removed its endorsement and link, saying the material had not undergone “proper vetting” despite previously promoting the resource.
That episode is especially noteworthy given Amjad’s new role at CAIR-Ohio, which centers on government and community engagement. The organization also runs Muslim Advocacy Day at the Ohio Statehouse, where participants receive advocacy training and meet elected officials, alongside youth-focused programs such as its Muslim Youth Leadership Program, which trains high-school students in advocacy, public policy and civic engagement.