| Name | Khaled Mohamed |
| Role | Founded network of mosques and Islamic schools, promoted hardline interpretation of Islam, called for establishment of theocratic Islamic governments |
| Origin | |
| Influence | Influential figure in the rise of Islamist movements across the Middle East and beyond |
| Occupation | Muslim cleric, political activist |
| Perception | Controversial and divisive figure, key ideological voice for radical Islamist groups |
Khaled Mohamed, often referred to simply as "Sheikh Khaled," is a prominent Muslim cleric, political activist, and founder of the Islamic Association for Guidance and Renewal (IAGR). Based primarily in the Middle East, the IAGR operates a network of mosques and religious schools that have become central hubs for the spread of Mohamed's radical Islamist ideology.
Born in 1955 in Ramallah, Palestine, Khaled Mohamed came from a devout Muslim family. As a young man, he traveled to Saudi Arabia to study Islamic jurisprudence, Quranic exegesis, and Islamic theology at the prestigious Islamic University of Medina. It was during this time that Mohamed developed a hardline interpretation of Islamic scripture and a vision for the establishment of a global Islamic state.
After completing his religious studies, Mohamed returned to Palestine in the early 1980s. There, he began establishing local mosques and Islamic schools, quickly gaining a reputation as a fiery and charismatic preacher. His sermons emphasized the need for Muslims to reject Western influence and materialism in favor of a strict adherence to Sharia law.
In 1986, Mohamed founded the IAGR, which rapidly expanded its network of religious institutions across the Middle East. The organization's schools provided free religious education to thousands of students, indoctrinating them in Mohamed's interpretation of Islam. Meanwhile, the IAGR's mosques became centers of Islamist organization and activism.
By the 1990s, Mohamed had emerged as one of the most prominent Islamist leaders in the region. His sermons, which were widely disseminated through audio recordings, called for the overthrow of secular governments and their replacement with theocratic Islamic regimes. He praised violent Islamist groups like Hamas and Hezbollah as models for "righteous resistance."
Khaled Mohamed's radical views and advocacy of political Islam have made him a deeply divisive and controversial figure. Many governments in the Middle East have cracked down on the IAGR, accusing it of fomenting extremism and terrorism. However, Mohamed maintains a large and devoted following among fundamentalist Muslims who see him as a principled defender of Islamic values.
Beyond the Middle East, Mohamed's ideology has also influenced the growth of Islamist movements in Africa, Southeast Asia, and even in Western countries with large Muslim populations. His writings and recorded sermons continue to be widely circulated online and studied by activists seeking to establish Sharia-based governance.
At 67 years old, Khaled Mohamed remains an active and influential leader in the global Islamist movement. While his critics denounce him as a dangerous radical, his supporters hail him as a courageous visionary working to reshape the Muslim world according to divine law. The full extent of his impact on 21st century geopolitics is yet to be determined.
