American Muslims for Global Peace and Justice (AMGPJ)

American Muslims for Global Peace and Justice (AMGPJ)

Overview

* Founded by radical Islamist Mahboob Khan
* Viewed the U.S. as a nation rife with anti-Muslim bigotry and discrimination
* Former spokesman Yousef Al-Yousef supported Palestinian Islamic Jihad and the Holy Land Foundation


Founded in February 1998 and inactive since 2006, American Muslims for Global Peace and Justice (AMGPJ) described itself as “a non-profit grass-root organization established … for the purpose of educating, aligning and mobilizing fellow Americans on issues of human dignity, freedom, peace and justice.” It was created by the late Mahboob Khan, who was also a founding member of the Islamic Society of North America, the Muslim Communities Association, and the Muslim Students Association.

AMGPJ characterized the U.S. as a nation rife with anti-Muslim bigotry and discrimination. In 1998, for instance, the organization produced documentaries and videos “on the suffering of the Iraqi people due to eight years of economic sanctions”—placing blame for that suffering almost entirely upon the United States. And on a number of occasions, AMGPJ members joined other peace and interfaith organizations on fact-finding and humanitarian missions to the Persian Gulf region. 

In January 2002, AMGPJ chairman Yousef Al-Yousef stated that Muslims in America were routinely “deprived of their liberties.” That same month, Al-Yousef wrote an article defending a Palestinian Islamic Jihad fundraiser on behalf of the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development, a Hamas front group that was shut down by the U.S. government for supporting terrorism. Al-Yousef also defended the Taliban post-9/11.

AMGPJ’s outreach coordinator was Raeed N. Tayeh, who made headlines in 2001 when, while serving as a congressional staffer for Rep. Cynthia McKinney, he accused “pro-Israeli lawmakers” on the House International Relations Committee of having excessive “emotional attachments to Israel cause.” “The Israeli occupation of all territories must end,” he said, “including Congress.”

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