Virginia Court Holds AMP in Contempt for Defying Attorney General's Investigation
American Muslims for Palestine, also known as the AJP Educational Foundation, missed a court-ordered deadline to respond to a state investigation into alleged misuse of public funds
The Richmond City Circuit Court held AJP Educational Foundation, also known as American Muslims for Palestine (AMP), in civil contempt of court on September 29, 2025, after the organization defied a court order to cooperate with a state investigation led by Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares.
The contempt ruling followed AMP’s failure to meet a court-imposed 14-day deadline in June 2025 to provide documents and information requested by the Attorney General’s office. The state is investigating whether the Falls Church-based nonprofit improperly used donated funds and violated Virginia’s laws governing charitable organizations.
“The Attorney General’s Office has the duty to ensure charitable organizations operating in Virginia adhere to the law,” said Attorney General Jason Miyares. “The Court’s authority must be respected and upheld.”
Two-Year Legal Battle
The legal dispute began in October 2023 when the Virginia Office of the Attorney General issued the CID to AMP regarding its noncompliance with the state’s charitable solicitation law. Under Virginia law, organizations that solicit donations must register with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services unless specifically exempted.
Rather than complying with the demand, AMP filed a petition to modify or set aside the CID. The Richmond City Circuit Court denied that petition in July 2024. Despite the loss, AMP continued to refuse to respond to the CID, forcing the Attorney General to bring an enforcement action in January 2025.
In May 2025, the Court issued an opinion directing AMP to comply with the CID, and in June 2025, the Court entered an order requiring AMP to do so within 14 days. The organization’s failure to meet this deadline led to today’s contempt finding.
Court-Ordered Sanctions
The court determined that AMP must fully comply with the Court’s Order of June 13, 2025, by October 3, 2025. Failure to comply will subject the organization to sanctions of $1,000 per day, beginning on that date, until AMP fully complies with the Civil Investigative Demand.
Additionally, AMP has been ordered to pay the Commonwealth’s reasonable costs and attorneys’ fees associated with bringing the contempt motion, in the amount of $8,000.
The court has scheduled a hearing for October 28, 2025, at 12:10 p.m. to assess whether AMP has fully complied with the court’s order and to determine whether any sanctions are due to the Commonwealth. AMP is also required to bring Executive Director Osama Abuirshaid or another officer with knowledge of the Civil Investigative Demand and the organization’s efforts to respond to the hearing.
Concurrently, AMP filed a complaint in federal court to prevent enforcement of the new penalties.
History of Alleged Pro-Terror Associations and Activities
The contempt ruling comes amid scrutiny of AMP’s leadership and affiliates. Investigative journalist and former Wall Street Journal reporter Asra Nomani pointed out how in the summer of 2024, Zaid Mohammad Mahdawi, the president of the American Muslims for Palestine Richmond chapter, painted “HAMAS IS COMIN” in red on a statue at Columbus Circle in Washington, D.C., outside Union Station during anti-Netanyahu protests.
He also added the inverted red triangle symbol that Hamas uses to mark its terrorism and assassination targets. Another activist from North Carolina for the Party for Socialism Liberation burned the American flag at the same protest.
The Executive Director of AMP, Osama Abuirshaid, has also had concerning associations in the past. In 2020, Abuirshaid spoke on a webinar alongside Basem Naim, a senior Hamas official who was designated by the U.S. Department of Treasury in November 2024.
In 2019, Abuirshaid was pictured attending the Palestine Expo in Britain alongside several alleged Hamas-linked operatives in Europe. Among those present was Zaher Birawi, officially designated by the Israeli Ministry of Defense as a main Hamas operative in Europe.
Also in attendance was Ziad El-Aloul, another alleged Hamas-linked operative in Europe who is an official at the Palestinian Forum in Britain and the Hamas-designated Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad. El-Aloul has publicly celebrated the October 7th attacks, describing them as a “moment of glory” and the beginning of a “bright era” for Palestine.
Abuirshaid was also pictured with Adnan Hmidan, another alleged Hamas-linked operative in Europe who praised terror attacks against Israeli Jews. Hmidan also works for the London-based TV channel al-Hiwar, described by critics as having ties to the Muslim Brotherhood. Al-Hiwar was reportedly suspended from an Egyptian satellite operator in 2008 for allegedly serving as a mouthpiece for the Muslim Brotherhood.
Background of AMP and Organizational Criticism
American Muslims for Palestine is a public nonprofit headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, that describes itself as advocating for Palestinian rights and providing educational resources about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The organization operates through its fiscal sponsor, AJP Educational Foundation, which is funded by undisclosed donors and has reported revenue of approximately $15.3 million from 2010-2023, according to ProPublica.
The AMP much like CAIR needs to be declared a terrorist organization and banned from the US.