Alternative Names:
International Relief Fund for the Afflicted and Needy, International Relief Fund for the Afflicted and Needy (Canada), IRFAN, IRFAN – Canada, IRFAN Society[1]
Location:
Canada
Leadership:
IRFAN-Canada is based in the Toronto area.
Membership:
IRFAN has offices but no paid staff, according to Yavar Hameed, a lawyer for the group.
Funding Sources:
IRFAN exploits a broad network of private donors and charitable support organizations to raise funds, which are subsequently diverted to listed entities in the Gaza Strip and West Bank.
Ideological Roots:
IRFAN’s ideological roots are unclear, however, the Canada Revenue Agency has recovered materials at IRFAN-Canada’s offices that demonize the state of Israel and appeal for Muslims to join the struggle against Israel.
Objectives:
IRFAN’s stated objectives are to provide humanitarian assistance to struggling individuals and communities located in the Gaza Strip and West Bank.
Tactics:
Fundraising. Between 2005 and 2011, IRFAN transferred over $14 million to groups associated with Hamas under the guise of humanitarian relief funds. IRFAN is classified as a terrorist organization by the Government of Canada and several other Western countries.
Updated on January 7, 2016.
