Giving While Muslim

Each and every person can be a philanthropist, and I believe philanthropy is more about generosity than it is about wealth. As a Muslim, I am invited by my faith to give of what I love. In Ramadan, all around the world, Muslims join in fasting and charitable giving through acts known as zakat and sadaqa. There is a hadith or saying in our tradition by the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him) that: “The best charity that is given is during Ramadan.”

Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic lunar calendar and in 2021 falls between April 12 and May 12. Billions of Muslims increase their spiritual worship and inward reflection towards God. It’s also the busiest time for Muslim nonprofits.

As Muslims around the world celebrate a second Ramadan amid the pandemic which has changed both gathering practices as well as revealed a widening wealth gap, I am reflecting on the generosity within our communities. According to a survey conducted by the Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research last year, 57% of respondents intended to donate more to relief organizations, 35% intended to donate more to educational organizations, and 39% intended to donate more to the mosque compared to Ramadan in 2019.

Dr. Shariq Siddiqui, assistant professor at Indiana University and Director of the Muslim Philanthropy Initiative, claims that nearly 80 to 90 percent of annual budgets for Muslim-led organizations are raised in the month before, the month of, and the month after Ramadan.

Reflecting on Muslim Philanthropy

In her research about the impacts of 9/11 and Muslim philanthropy, AMCF’s Research and Strategies Fellow and recently awarded 2021-2022 Lake dissertation fellow, Esra Tunc, found that many relief-based agencies faced particular challenges after 9/11 and were subject to surveillance due to the fear of terrorism. Three of the largest Muslim charities of the time — the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development, the Benevolence International Foundation, and the Global Relief Foundation — were shut down shortly after 9/11. Many of these and other charities encountered decreases in the donations they received because of fear that Muslim-focused or Muslim-led charities might support religious extremism, especially those operating in a transnational context. Donors became weary of organizations working in international relief and giving to any organizations with the word Islam or Muslim in the title. At this point, resources from the community shifted to social service and civil rights advocacy organizations. Additionally, the U.S. government began providing Countering Violence Extremism grants which were focused on surveillance of marginalized and minority communities. Aimed at promoting justice and protecting democracy, these grants were in effect hurting the communities they were claiming to serve. In some cases, philanthropy from other sources supported organizations that targeted Muslim communities or nonprofit leaders. This is the reality for Muslim donors and nonprofit leaders.

AMCF Reimagines Philanthropy and Looks Ahead

To meet immediate needs, AMCF’s COVID-19 Response Fund for Nonprofits raised and distributed $360,000 in 2020 to more than 60 organizations. The racial justice reckoning in the U.S. has also laid bare the broken systems within our society. At AMCF, our charitable giving supports local communities across the country impacting racial equity, social justice, and basic needs of everyday Americans. We believe if the philanthropic community as a whole doesn’t take a stand now, minority and marginalized communities will continue to suffer. This is why AMCF joined Amalgamated Foundation’s effort, “Hate is Not Charitable” campaign and urges hosts of Donor Advised Funds to be proactive in their vetting of charities they give to and commit to not supporting hate groups that have targeted the LGBTQIA+, Muslim, and immigrant communities.

In continuing our efforts to help nonprofit organizations and raise up donors, AMCF is committed to hosting and promoting Giving Circles. With the help of Philanthropy Together’s Launchpad for Hosts, AMCF launched the American Muslim Women’s Giving Circle in Women’s History Month earlier this year. More than $12,000 has been pooled together into a communal fund. Another Giving Circle in its planning stages will focus on interfaith initiatives.

As an example, the Bay Area Giving Collective (BACG) will distribute $105,000 in Ramadan to Mu’eed, an Oakland-based nonprofit providing meals to families in need, and Tayba Foundation, a Muslim-led, national organization educating incarcerated individuals and their families and helping them with reentry initiatives.