Qatar’s extensive financial ties to American universities and its connections to Islamic terror groups prompts call for legislative action to protect national security and academic integrity.
Research by Jordan Cope, the Director of Policy Education atStandWithUsand the Qatari Finance Fellow atMiddle East Forum, reveals alarming connections between Qatar’s extensive financial support for terrorism and its significant influence over American universities. This is particularly evident in Texas, raising serious concerns about national security, academic integrity, and the spread of extremist ideologies.
In a recentpodcast, he highlighted some of these issues.
During his undergraduate studies at the University of Texas, Cope was tasked withresearchingthe sources of funding for Hamas, the terrorist organization responsible for the tragic deaths of 1,200 individuals, including 46 Americans, on October 7, 2023.
“Now, this kind of financial involvement from Qatar and its affiliates raises some serious concerns about our national security, academic integrity, and democratic values,” Cope argued. “Qatar has some pretty troubling connections to extremist figures and organizations, which makes their global influence efforts even more concerning.”
The Qatar Foundation not onlyawardedHamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, but it also operates Education City, which comprises a network of international satellite campuses, including Texas A&M Qatar.
“There’s even reportedly a research center named after Yusuf Qaradawi, a prominent figure linked to the Muslim Brotherhood, whose chapters are designated terrorist groups,” Cope pointed out. “Qaradawi has openlyendorsedsuicide bombings against U.S. troops and has ties to Al Jazeera, wherejournalistshave been involved with terrorist groups.”
“And let’s not forget aboutKhaled Sheikh Mohammedfrom Al Qaeda,” he added. “Mohammed was hosted by Qatar, and when the FBI tried to arrest him, Qatari officials helped him escape.” Subsequently, he was responsible for the 9/11 attacks, which resulted in the deaths of almost 3,000 Americans.
“Despite all of this, Qatar has managed to weave itself into the fabric of our country through its influence in politics, education, and various institutions,” Cope lamented. “In Texas, a Qatari royal is sitting on a university board, they’re training our emergency responders, and lobbyists connected to Qatar are courting our elected officials.”
Astudyby the Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy (ISGAP) found that Qatari funding is linked to rising antisemitism and anti-democratic sentiments on college campuses. “At Texas A&M,” Cope said, “the Qatar Foundation reportedlycontrolsover 500 research projects and has significant sway over nuclear research and sensitive weapon development.”
Source: The Gateway Pundit
