IFE was founded in 1988 as a British Bangladeshi professional group. Its first president was Dr Muhammad Abdul Bari who later became chairman of the East London Mosque,[7] succeeded by Musleh Faradhi as President since 2005.[8] It was supported by Chowdhury Mueen-Uddin, who stands accused of at least 18 murders as well as war crimes in his native Bangladesh, although he contests the allegations.[9]