About Muslim Protect
Muslim Protect is an independent research project dedicated to helping Muslims identify organisations, individuals and networks whose actions, funding, affiliations or conduct may warrant careful scrutiny before support is given.
Our aim is not to tell Muslims what to think, but to provide transparent, referenced information so they can make informed decisions for themselves.
Why We Started Muslim Protect
Islam repeatedly commands believers to exercise wisdom, verification and caution. The Qur’an teaches Muslims not to act upon claims without first establishing the truth, and warns that not everyone who approaches the believers does so with sincere intentions.
“O you who believe! If a rebellious person comes to you with news, verify it, lest you harm people out of ignorance and then become regretful for what you have done.”
Qur’an 49:6
Allah also tells us:
“O you who believe! Be persistently standing firm for Allah as witnesses in justice…”
Qur’an 5:8
And:
“Indeed, Satan is an enemy to you, so take him as an enemy.”
Qur’an 35:6
The Qur’an also reminds us that throughout history there have always been those who sought to deceive believers, spread corruption and exploit difficult circumstances for their own objectives.
For this reason, Muslims have a duty to investigate before they follow, verify before they share, and think carefully before placing their trust in individuals or organisations.
The Current Climate
For many decades, Muslims throughout the world have lived under extraordinary political pressure. Numerous Muslim-majority countries have experienced war, occupation, foreign intervention, intelligence operations, proxy conflicts and extensive surveillance.
Western Muslim communities have likewise experienced increasing levels of monitoring, infiltration and political targeting.
History demonstrates that governments across the world have, at various times, infiltrated political movements, activist groups, religious organisations and community organisations through undercover officers, informants and intelligence assets.
In such an environment, wisdom requires caution.
The objective of Muslim Protect is not to encourage fear, but to encourage discernment.
What This Website Contains
This website documents organisations that actively engage with Muslim communities.
Some focus primarily on Muslims.
Others target Muslims as a significant part of their intended audience.
For each organisation we aim to provide as much publicly available information as possible, including:
- sources of funding
- major donors
- directors and trustees
- prominent members
- previous organisational affiliations
- political links
- publicly available financial records
- partnerships
- historical background
- relevant public statements
Wherever possible we provide original sources so readers can verify the information themselves.
Transparency Matters
Patterns are rarely discovered by looking at one isolated event.
They become visible by examining relationships, funding structures, shared personnel, historical affiliations and repeated behaviour over time.
For that reason we believe complete transparency is essential.
Readers should never be asked simply to trust our conclusions.
Instead, we aim to present the evidence so that every reader can investigate independently.
Why This Matters
History has shown that governments and intelligence agencies have sometimes infiltrated political, religious and activist organisations for a variety of purposes.
Equally, not everyone involved in a movement necessarily understands the wider objectives or interests influencing it.
Sometimes individuals may act entirely sincerely while unknowingly advancing objectives that were established by others.
For this reason Muslims should examine organisations carefully before giving them their trust, time, donations or public support.
There have also been occasions where even masājid and Muslim organisations have unknowingly invited speakers or partnered with individuals without being aware of aspects of their background or previous activities.
Muslim organisations themselves are not immune from poor judgement, external influence or infiltration.
Accordingly, where publicly available evidence raises legitimate questions, those matters are documented on this website with supporting references.
Our Purpose
The purpose of Muslim Protect is simple:
- to help safeguard the Muslim community;
- to encourage critical thinking grounded in Islamic principles;
- to promote transparency and accountability;
- to encourage verification before support is given;
- to help protect Muslims from manipulation, exploitation or deception.
Our objective is the safety of the Ummah.
Our objective is the safety of Muslims living in the West.
Our objective is to encourage informed decisions based upon evidence rather than emotion, slogans or personalities.
Why This Is Important
The consequences of misplaced trust can be devastating.
Young people have, on numerous occasions, been groomed, manipulated or persuaded into decisions that permanently altered their lives.
One of the most widely known examples is that of Shamima Begum.
In 2015, at the age of 15, she travelled with two school friends from the United Kingdom through Turkey into territory controlled by ISIS in Syria. She subsequently married an ISIS fighter and remained in ISIS-controlled territory. In 2019, the UK Government deprived her of British citizenship on national security grounds, a decision that was later upheld by the courts.
Her case has prompted continuing public debate regarding safeguarding failures, radicalisation, the responsibilities of public authorities and the protection of vulnerable young people.
Many other young Muslims have likewise found themselves drawn into activities that resulted in serious criminal consequences or lasting harm.
These cases underline the importance of exercising caution, seeking knowledge and understanding the organisations, movements and individuals with whom we become involved.
What Is a Psychological Operation (PSYOP)?
A psychological operation (PSYOP) is the planned use of information, messaging and influence techniques to affect how people think, feel or behave in pursuit of political, military or strategic objectives.
Such operations have been employed by governments and armed forces throughout history.
They may involve:
- shaping public opinion;
- influencing behaviour;
- encouraging particular actions;
- discouraging opposition;
- creating confusion;
- manipulating narratives.
Not everyone involved in such activities necessarily knows they are participating in one.
Agent Provocateurs
Throughout history, governments and security services have sometimes used agent provocateurs.
An agent provocateur is someone who encourages others to engage in unlawful, harmful or self-destructive actions that they might not otherwise have taken.
The purpose may include gathering intelligence, discrediting a movement, creating justification for arrests or undermining public support.
The existence of agent provocateurs is well documented in many countries and historical contexts.
Useful Idiots
The expression “useful idiot” is a long-established political term used to describe individuals who genuinely believe they are acting for a good cause but whose actions ultimately advance objectives they do not themselves understand.
Such individuals are not necessarily dishonest.
Many are sincere.
However, sincerity alone does not guarantee that a movement or campaign is acting in the interests of those who support it.
For this reason Islam teaches believers to seek knowledge, verify information and exercise wisdom before following others.
Verify Information
Surah al-Ḥujurāt (49:6)
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِن جَاءَكُمْ فَاسِقٌۢ بِنَبَإٍۢ فَتَبَيَّنُوٓا أَن تُصِيبُوا قَوْمًۢا بِجَهَـٰلَةٍۢ فَتُصْبِحُوا۟ عَلَىٰ مَا فَعَلْتُمْ نَـٰدِمِينَ
O you who believe! If a rebellious person comes to you with news, verify it, lest you harm people in ignorance and then become regretful for what you have done.
Qur’an 49:6
Why it matters: Before acting, sharing information, joining a campaign or supporting an organisation, Muslims are commanded to verify the facts.
Testing Those Who Join the Muslims
Surah al-Mumtaḥanah (60:10)
This verse was revealed after the Treaty of Ḥudaybiyyah. Some women left Makkah claiming to have embraced Islam and sought refuge with the Muslims. Rather than accepting every claim at face value or rejecting everyone automatically, Allah instructed the believers to examine them.
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوٓا إِذَا جَآءَكُمُ ٱلْمُؤْمِنَـٰتُ مُهَـٰجِرَٰتٍۢ فَٱمْتَحِنُوهُنَّ ۖ ٱللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِإِيمَـٰنِهِنَّ ۖ فَإِنْ عَلِمْتُمُوهُنَّ مُؤْمِنَـٰتٍۢ فَلَا تَرْجِعُوهُنَّ إِلَى ٱلْكُفَّارِ ۖ لَا هُنَّ حِلٌّۭ لَّهُمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحِلُّونَ لَهُنَّ ۖ وَءَاتُوهُم مَّآ أَنفَقُوا۟ ۚ وَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْكُمْ أَن تَنكِحُوهُنَّ إِذَآ ءَاتَيْتُمُوهُنَّ أُجُورَهُنَّ ۚ وَلَا تُمْسِكُوا۟ بِعِصَمِ ٱلْكَوَافِرِ وَسْـَٔلُوا۟ مَآ أَنفَقْتُمْ وَلْيَسْـَٔلُوا۟ مَآ أَنفَقُوا۟ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ حُكْمُ ٱللَّهِ ۖ يَحْكُمُ بَيْنَكُمْ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ
O you who believe! When believing women come to you as emigrants, examine them. Allah knows best the reality of their faith. If you determine that they are believers, then do not return them to the disbelievers. They are not lawful for them, nor are those men lawful for them. But return to the disbelievers what they had spent. There is no blame upon you if you marry them when you have given them their dowries. Do not hold on to marriage ties with disbelieving women. Ask for what you have spent, and let them ask for what they have spent. That is the judgement of Allah. He judges between you. And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.
Qur’an 60:10
Why it matters: Even those seeking to join the Muslim community were not accepted blindly. Allah commanded the believers to examine their claims before acting upon them.
Beware of the Hypocrites
Surah al-Munāfiqūn (63:1)
إِذَا جَآءَكَ ٱلْمُنَـٰفِقُونَ قَالُوا۟ نَشْهَدُ إِنَّكَ لَرَسُولُ ٱللَّهِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ إِنَّكَ لَرَسُولُهُۥ وَٱللَّهُ يَشْهَدُ إِنَّ ٱلْمُنَـٰفِقِينَ لَكَـٰذِبُونَ
When the hypocrites come to you, they say, “We testify that you are indeed the Messenger of Allah.” Allah knows that you are truly His Messenger, and Allah bears witness that the hypocrites are certainly liars.
Qur’an 63:1
Why it matters: A person may outwardly profess loyalty while inwardly intending something entirely different.
Surah Āl ʿImrān (3:118)
يَا أَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تَتَّخِذُوا۟ بِطَانَةًۭ مِّن دُونِكُمْ لَا يَأْلُونَكُمْ خَبَالًۭا ۚ وَدُّوا۟ مَا عَنِتُّمْ ۚ قَدْ بَدَتِ ٱلْبَغْضَآءُ مِنْ أَفْوَٰهِهِمْ ۖ وَمَا تُخْفِى صُدُورُهُمْ أَكْبَرُ ۚ قَدْ بَيَّنَّا لَكُمُ ٱلْـَٔايَـٰتِ ۖ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ
O you who believe! Do not take as close confidants those outside your own ranks who would not fail to corrupt you. They wish to see you suffer. Hatred has already appeared from their mouths, but what their hearts conceal is even greater. We have made the signs clear to you, if only you would understand.
Qur’an 3:118
Why it matters: Muslims are instructed to exercise wisdom regarding those they choose as trusted advisers and insiders.
The Hypocrites Are Skilled Speakers
Surah al-Munāfiqūn (63:4)
وَإِذَا رَأَيْتَهُمْ تُعْجِبُكَ أَجْسَامُهُمْ ۖ وَإِن يَقُولُوا۟ تَسْمَعْ لِقَوْلِهِمْ ۖ كَأَنَّهُمْ خُشُبٌۭ مُّسَنَّدَةٌۭ ۖ يَحْسَبُونَ كُلَّ صَيْحَةٍ عَلَيْهِمْ ۚ هُمُ ٱلْعَدُوُّ فَٱحْذَرْهُمْ ۚ قَـٰتَلَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ ۖ أَنَّىٰ يُؤْفَكُونَ
When you see them, their appearance impresses you, and if they speak, you listen to their speech. Yet they are like propped-up pieces of wood. They think every shout is against them. They are the enemy, so beware of them. May Allah destroy them! How deluded they are.
Qur’an 63:4
Why it matters: Outward appearance, eloquence and confidence are not proofs of sincerity.
Justice Even Towards Opponents
Surah al-Mā’idah (5:8)
يَا أَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ كُونُوا۟ قَوَّٰمِينَ لِلَّهِ شُهَدَآءَ بِٱلْقِسْطِ ۖ وَلَا يَجْرِمَنَّكُمْ شَنَـَٔانُ قَوْمٍ عَلَىٰٓ أَلَّا تَعْدِلُوا۟ ۚ ٱعْدِلُوا۟ هُوَ أَقْرَبُ لِلتَّقْوَىٰ ۖ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ خَبِيرٌۢ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ
O you who believe! Stand firm for Allah as witnesses in justice. Do not let the hatred of a people cause you to depart from justice. Be just; that is nearer to righteousness. And fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is fully aware of all that you do.
Qur’an 5:8
Why it matters: This website should not accuse without evidence. Every person and organisation deserves fairness, and every conclusion should be based upon verifiable facts.
These verses together provide a strong Qur’anic foundation for a project centred on verification, discernment, justice and protecting the Muslim community while avoiding suspicion without evidence.
