Faith-based organizations

Update: Civil Rights and Religious Groups Denounce TN Bill Targeting Sharia Groups

in
Date: 
March 25, 2011
Sponsors of a Tennessee material support bill introduced an amendment removing all references to religion from the bill on March 22, 2011. The change comes after widespread criticism that the original bill was unconstitutional and duplicative of the federal statutes. In a statement released by the bill’s sponsor, the new version removes language that described sharia law as a threat to residents of Tennessee and makes clear that peaceful religious practices would not be considered a violation.
 

Letter to President Outlines Reforms Needed to Protect U.S. Charities and Donors

in
Date: 
August 16, 2010

On August 11, 2010, more than 40 Muslim, Arab, Sikh and South Asian charities delivered a letter to President Barack Obama asking him to reform federal charitable giving laws and regulations that restrict the humanitarian work of legitimate U.S. charities.  The letter identifies several barriers that harm humanitarian groups, their donors and the people they serve. It also outlines “concrete action” the President can direct the Departments of Justice, State, and Treasury to do to “protect innocent donors and charities.”  

President's Cairo Statement on Charitable Giving Rules Welcome

in
Date: 
June 29, 2009
Author: 
Kay Guinane

U.S. Charities, both Muslim and non-Muslim, Affected by Outdated Rules, are Ready to Work to Protect Zakat and Humanitarian Programs

Austin Plane Attack Highlights Double Standards

in
Date: 
March 4, 2010
Author: 
Seema Ahmad, Human Rights Fellow at the Open Society Institute

 

Letter Urges Reforms on Charitable Giving Rules

in
Date: 
March 25, 2010

A March 23, 2010 letter urges the President to take “concrete steps to remove legal hurdles” that disrupt charitable giving. Invoking the one year anniversary of Obama’s remarks in Cairo, the letter calls on the President to “ease hurdles to charitable giving through critical, immediate regulatory and administrative action.” The letter was signed by 20 American-Muslim organizations.

Accreditation Program for U.S. Muslim Charities Reduces Fear of Giving

in

An accreditation program for American Muslim charities hopes to address donors' fears of government reprisal that has lead to deceased donations. Partnering with the Better Business Bureau, Muslim Advocates started the Muslim Charities Accreditation Program (MCAP) in August 2008 to help charities comply with federal regulations and financial rules. On Aug. 25, 2009, Muslim Advocates announced three American charities were the first to complete the program and receive accreditation. 

President's Statement at End of Ramadan Recognizes Importance of Charities

in
Date: 
September 22, 2009

On Sept. 19, 2009 President Obama issued a statement  on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, the celebration marking the end of Islam's holy month of Ramadan. It emphasized the important of charitable giving in Islam, and said the administration is continuing its efforts to "ensure that Muslims are able to fulfill their charitable obligations not just during Ramadan, but throughout the year."