Ramadan Is Time For Giving. But To Whom?

By Victor Comras

Ramadan is a time of giving, when Muslims of all denominations consider their religious obligations of Zakat and Sadaqah. But this has become increasingly difficult for America's Islamic community. Muslims in the United States have become increasingly cautious when it comes to making charitable contributions. They are well aware that several Islamic charities have been designated or placed under investigation for possible terrorism financing. After the 9/11 crackdown on Islamic Charities American Muslim community leaders asked the government for guidelines to help them channel their donations to bona fide charities. The US Treasury Department refused to provide specific guidelines. But, the Treasury Department has just recently published a useful fact sheet identifying Islamic charities and front groups that have been designated by the US Treasury Department. Hopefully this will serve to guide potential givers away from these tainted charities.

According to the Treasury paper some 41 charities have been designated pursuant to Executive Orders 13224 and 12947 for terrorist support activities. In addition several designated foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs) are included in the list. Many of them have also established fund raising groups under various names. Among the major US based charities designated for terrorism funding are al Haramain, The Holy land Foundation, Global Relief Foundation (GRF), Benevolence International Foundation (BIF), and the Islamic American Relief Agency (IARA). A full list of US designated charities can be found here.

A recent Business Week article highlighted the chilling effect the US clampdown on Islamic Charities has had on Islamic community giving. Reliable data on charitable giving trends among American Muslims is hard to come by. Yet, according to the Business Week article, Muslim Americans are increasingly bypassing established Islamic charities to fulfill their Zakat responsibilities. This includes bypassing traditional charities entirely and giving directly to those in need. Bona fide American Islamic charities are finding it increasingly difficult to raise needed funds. This has led leaders from some 20 such charities to organize themselves into a National Council of American Muslim Nonprofits. They want this new organization to serve as an umbrella group for qualified charities. Since the US Treasury and Justice Departments have refused to publish a list of charities free of suspicion, the new group wants to issue its own seal of approval. They have asked the US Treasury Department to help them develop appropriate guidelines and criteria to assure that their approval listing retains merit and credibility. But the Treasury Department remains reluctant to get involved. Treasury Department spokesperson Molly Millerwise has warned that such a seal of approval won't shield charities from possible investigation. "Donors want a vetted list of charities. We can't provide that," she says. "Who is to say if charities engage in terrorism-related activities after they're put on the list?" (Quoted from Business Week Article)

So, for now Muslim donors can rely only on the the Koran�s own very general proscription: The offerings given for the sake of God are (meant) only for the poor and the needy, and those who are in charge thereof, and those whose hearts are to be won over, and for the freeing of human beings from bondage, and (for) those who are over-burdened with debts, and (for every struggle) in God�s cause, and (for) the wayfarer: (this is) an ordinance from God - and God is all-knowing, wise. (9:60)

TrackBack