The Journal of the British Muslim Charity Sector

FORUMTHE The Journal of the British Muslim charity sector

Issue 3, WINTER/SPRING 2021 Contents

Chief Executive Foreword Prevention is better than cure: 5 Fadi Itani 17 The case for supporting human rights defenders Applauding the efforts of the Muslim Kyaw Win 6 charity sector during the coronavirus pandemic The compliance of charities work Baroness Barran 18 with Islamic teachings Rehan Salim Leadership: Navigating through 7 challenging times The age of disinformation and Vicky Browning 20 industrial Islamophobia Bashir Ibrahim Together we can: How MCF responded 8 to the Covid-19 pandemic What are donors looking for when Anas Abu 21 they donate to charities? Atif Khan The first dive: A survey of the British 10 Muslim charitable sector Orphans programmes today and Dr Atif Imtiaz 22 tomorrow Jonathan Benthall Islamic charities between France and 12 the United Kingdom: A comparison. Adoption: Reviving a Prophetic Lucas Faure 24 tradition Shadim Hussain MotherKind Clinic: Reaching those in 13 need Remembering our raison d’etre Umar Rashid 26 Madiha Raza

An integrated approach to education The implications of financial 15 in emergencies 28 legislation on charities : Azeema Ali The case of al-Barakaat Dr Samantha May Educating the excluded children of 16 Pakistan: A project for children living Promoting a faith inclusive in a brothel 30 approach to development Haseeb Khan Ajaz Ahmed Khan & Affan Cheema In this third edition we look at the sector’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. We include some shortened versions of papers (by Imtiaz, Faure, Rashid, Ali and Khan) presented at a conference on the sector held in January 2020. We also look at the effects of financial constraints that are placed on charities, the issue of adoption, reflections from a donor on the sector and an experienced leader in the sector.

Acknowledgements

MCF has a dedicated team of staff and volunteers, all of whom contributed to the production of this journal including: Abdi Aziz, Atif Imtiaz, Fadi Itani, Shams Begum and Bayan Kuwaider.

We value your feedback and invite you to consider proposing contributions for the next edition of The Forum. Contact us via: [email protected] or call one of the team on 0203 096 1983

Readers are encouraged to quote and reproduce materials from this publication with due acknowledgement to the Muslim Charities Forum as copyright holders. We also request a copy of the publication is shared with us.

Disclaimer: The opinions and views of the written articles are those of the authors, not of MCF.

Muslim Charities are here to stay, and we will only get stronger together.

The Muslim Charities Forum, founded in 2007, is the network of British Muslim charities dedicated to working for social good both at home in the UK and abroad. Our role is to collectively improve our accountability, transparency and efficiency as a sector – to contribute to a more just and sustainable world.

MCF is changing the landscape for Muslim charities in the UK, we support our members through increased visibility, influence, networking, training, knowledge-exchange and representation.

Call us for an informal chat about becoming a member on 0203 096 1983, or email us at [email protected], we will send you introductory information about member benefits.

Invest in the future of the sector. MCF is mostly funded through our membership fees, we welcome the opportunity to discuss investment from Trusts, Foundations and individual philanthropists. If you are keen to invest in the future of the Muslim charity sector, to drive the change taking place, please do get in touch. We must not surrender our positive thinking

FADI ITANI

elcome to the third Covid has reminded us that whilst every edition of the journal country has faced it as a national priority it W ‘The Forum’ dedicated to has exacerbated already existent inequali- the Muslim charity sector. ties. Whilst many countries have been able It is an expression of to introduce hardship support to alleviate the growing maturity of the disruption to business and work, many our sector that we take time to pause and countries simply cannot afford to; meaning reflect. To together ask deep and difficult International NGOs have been required to questions about our future, whilst high- support ever larger communities at a time Fadi Itani is the CEO of the Muslim Charities Forum. Fadi has lighting opportunities to grow and learn. In when many donors have reduced their experience in the community and this edition you will read about the extraor- donations. charity sector for over 30 years. dinary story of how Muslims responded Prior to MCF, Fadi has held senior with great humanity to Covid-19 and its It is no secret that the entire charity sector posts at the Qatar Charity UK, Islamic Relief, The Humanitarian consequences. You’ll find case studies to faces extraordinary challenges, as they Forum and served as CEO of continue to do good in the shade of this Zakat House. pandemic. Yet this also makes adapting, collaboration and strategic foresight “ IT IS NO SECRET THAT THE essential to survival. Technology must be ENTIRE CHARITY SECTOR harnessed, actionable research conducted, FACES EXTRAORDINARY data and impact understood, we must CHALLENGES, AS THEY professionalise without losing the human- CONTINUE TO DO GOOD ity and sincerity of a sector that grew out IN THE SHADE OF THIS of the spare rooms of mosques. We must make working together the foundation of PANDEMIC. YET THIS ALSO our collective future. ‘The Forum’ inshal- MAKES ADAPTING, lah will continue and further grow to be COLLABORATION AND a place where insights and thoughts are STRATEGIC FORESIGHT collected, ideas triggered and the past, ESSENTIAL TO SURVIVAL.” present and future fused in the service of us all.

Despite all the challenges we are all going learn from, a reminder on charity in Islamic through let us not surrender our positive teachings, discussions on human rights, thinking and instead strive to innovate in Muslim fostering, Islamophobia, orphan our solutions, plant hope and grow peace programs in the future, a donor’s perspec- in our world. This reminds me about an tive, leadership during testing times, the amazing saying of Prophet Muhammed experience of a field worker and an article (peace and blessings be upon him) about on financial de-risking and its victims. the end of times when he said, “If the Hour (the day of Resurrection) is about to be We are also honoured to have the Minister established and one of you was holding a for Civil Society Baroness Barran contribute palm shoot, let him take advantage of even with her appreciation for the efforts of one second before the Hour is established Muslim charities during this national crisis. to plant it.” Some of us might wonder but who will benefit from it, when the whole As shown in our report ‘The Neighbours world is coming to an end. Yet we are next door’, Muslim charities, groups, reminded that we are responsible for our mosques and individuals have fed, reas- efforts even when we cannot control the sured and served their neighbours bringing results. life to the Prophetic tradition. Through it all MCF has mapped, co-ordinated and offered support so their stories could serve as inspiration for further good works.

5 Applauding the response of the Muslim charity sector during the pandemic

BARONESS BARRAN

ivil society has played date. The crisis and restrictions brought communities during the Covid-19 crisis and continues to play a in to respond to it have clearly created and provide support through the Voluntary vital role in the response challenges for many in the sector, including and Communities Sector. I would like to C to Covid-19. The sector for organisations providing services for take this opportunity to thank the Muslim has mobilised; providing those affected by COVID. The intelligence charities and volunteers who saw their critical services, deploying gathered so far has contributed to the neighbours in need and stepped up to volunteers and complementing the delivery development of the Government’s £750 help. Ordinary Muslims from all corners of of public services. Volunteers up and down million support package designed to help the country put themselves on the front the country have come out in force in charities continue their vital work. line every day to help and support others; support for others in their local communi- and Muslim community organisations have ties. Muslim charities and volunteers have coordinated great volunteering efforts been an important part of that effort. throughout the crisis. I also wish to thank the Muslim Charities Forum for being “THE ROLE OF Covid-19 has created extraordinary uncer- a valued and collaborative stakeholder tainty for all of us, and at times like this, the ORGANISATIONS WHO throughout the pandemic. I would also role of organisations who have the trust HAVE THE TRUST OF THEIR like to encourage Muslim charities and of their local community is more important LOCAL COMMUNITY IS volunteers to keep up their fantastic work than ever. Local Muslim charities have been MORE IMPORTANT THAN as the country continues to respond to and involved in all sorts of community support EVER” recover from this public health crisis. from food banks, to youth activities, to providing companionship to those who are isolated, and crucially at this time, helping to build trust in the public health The Muslim Charities Forum has played a response locally. I have spoken to Muslim vital role in this response by being part of charities who have helped to distribute the Voluntary and Community Sector Emer- face masks, explain about testing and even gencies Partnership (VCSEP), which brings provide venues for test and trace. Like other together leading voluntary sector organisa- faith groups, you provide a network for tions to improve the coordination of local those whose government can often find and national response efforts. The Partner- it harder to reach and, we recognise and ship also acts as a single point of contact value the role you can play in supporting between the Voluntary and Communities Baroness Barran was appointed as the Minister statutory services. In particular, we know Sector and Government in response to the for Civil Society for the UK Government on that you continued your work tirelessly Covid-19 crisis and future emergencies. 26 July 2019. In this role she is responsible for policy related to the UK’s Civil Society, during Ramadan, and more recently, including but not restricted to responsible supported your local communities over the Since July, the Voluntary and Community business and social enterprise, youth and Eid festival, particularly as some parts of Sector Emergencies Partnership (VCSEP) social action, and loneliness. She was the the country faced new lockdowns. I was has stood up 5 multi-agency cells to founder and Chief Executive of SafeLives from 2004-2017, a national charity dedicated fortunate enough to be invited to take part respond to areas of unmet need and to ending domestic abuse. She was head in a virtual Iftar, as I know several other mobilise response from the sector, which of grant development at the think tank New government Ministers did, and was very for example, helped deliver almost 800kg Philanthropy Capital from 2001 to 2004, and moved by the commitment of all involved. of food to a foodbank in Leominster. A worked in asset management before founding one of the first European hedge funds in 1993. £4.8m grant has helped the partnership set Baroness Barran was a trustee at the Royal We understand that this increased demand up the National Volunteering Coordination Foundation and Comic Relief, and was chair has put significant pressures on civil Cell to broker Government requests for of the Henry Smith Charity. She received the society, both on its capacity and resources. volunteers, which have included projects Beacon Prize for England in November 2007 and an MBE in 2011 for her work addressing These pressures have been compounded by such as Journey Makers who help out at domestic violence. the challenge of being unable to undertake transport hubs. As part of the network, normal fundraising activity. We have been the Muslim Charities Forum helps us working closely with the sector to under- reach local organisations in order to best stand the financial impacts of the crisis to understand the need for support in these

6 Leadership: Navigating through challenging times

VICKY BROWNING

hatever else it may 4. Look after yourself have given or taken “INTEGRITY, COMPETENCE, from us, the Covid-19 KINDNESS, COMPASSION, Don’t allow stressful and pressured situ- W pandemic has provided ations to override your own needs to the EMPATHY, VISION AND enough examples of extent where you make yourself ill, either both outstanding and HARD WORK: THESE SEEM mentally or physically. Take proper breaks shoddy leadership across the globe to fill TO BE THE CORE TRAITS OF and try not to neglect the things that help any number of leadership textbooks in the THE LEADERS WHO HAVE you destress, whether that’s exercise, your years to come. WON THE TRUST OF THEIR faith, family time or getting enough sleep. POPULATIONS “ Writing in the Guardian in November, Recognise the emotional load you are Professor Devi Sridhar, chair of global carrying in processing and responding to public health at the University of Edinburgh changing and demanding circumstances said: “Integrity, competence, kindness, 2. Lead with values while also absorbing the anxieties of both compassion, empathy, vision and hard staff and trustees. And admit to yourself work: these seem to be the core traits of The way we deliver our purpose should when you can’t cope. Ask for help from the leaders who have won the trust of reflect our core values. Last year ACEVO others and try and share the burden. their populations and led their countries published a general election manifesto with effectively through this crisis.” a difference. ‘We Imagine Better’ asked those elected to serve in government to Here in the UK, civil society leaders have root their work in seven core values: equity, been dealing with extraordinary levels opportunity, safety, community, love, digni- of uncertainty and pressure, anxiety and ty, and sustainability. challenge. The sector’s ability to adapt has been inspiring, but many leaders are In 2020, it is the actions that have arisen finding themselves well outside their own from these values, not just in formal civil comfort zones and facing issues for which society settings but in individual and they feel themselves ill equipped in terms community action, that offer us hope for of experience, expertise or both. building back better. As leaders, it’s vital Vicky Browning has headed up ACEVO, the that we model our organisations’ values: network of civil society leaders, since February Needless to say, there are no magic prioritising, communicating and embedding 2017. ACEVO wants to see civil society leaders solutions. But when it comes to leading our values in everyday activity. making the biggest possible difference. Vicky works with the ACEVO team and trustees to charities and social enterprises through support, represent and encourage ACEVO’s challenging times, I would add four pieces 3. Communicate, members in their ambition to create change. of advice to Professor Sridhar’s list of traits. communicate, Vicky joined ACEVO from CharityComms, the membership network for communications communicate professionals in UK charities, where she was 1. Focus on purpose director since March 2010. A former magazine Make sure you communicate widely and journalist, editor and publisher, Vicky worked at Charity CEOs and boards need to have openly with your staff, volunteers, trustees, Haymarket Publishing, the UK’s largest privately absolute clarity of vision and maintain an donors and of course the people you serve. owned publishing company for 16 years during the nineties and noughties. Vicky then unwavering focus on the unique contribu- However difficult the message it is better to enjoyed six years as an independent publishing tion their organisation can make. be open and to share the problems. consultant, before joining CharityComms and ACEVO. This is a time to concentrate on the core Engaging with staff and volunteers is purpose of the organisation, and to think incredibly powerful and effective: if people about the best interests of the communi- understand the big picture there is a real ties and causes we serve – both now and sense of energy and of people working for longer term. We need to assess what must the same cause. And remember to thank be protected as our organisations move staff and volunteers for their contribution, forward through the crisis, and what we cooperation and attitude. can put aside for a while. The really hard decisions are around what to stop doing.

7 Together we can: How MCF responded to the COVID-19 pandemic

ANAS ABU

he COVID-19 outbreak resources to support charities through the international NGOs to pool expertise and has upended our lives. uncertainty that lay ahead. resources to support and mobilise the Many lives have been goodwill of the Muslim community across T lost and many families MCF exists to support British Muslim the UK during this response. are still reeling from INGOs, but as Muslim charitable organi- losing their loved ones. sations have begun to increasingly serve The campaign covers three areas: This can never be forgotten. UK causes, we listened and responded by updating the strategy last year to serve 1. Mapping Whilst acknowledging the huge losses, British Muslim charities working at home the pandemic has brought some new as well. 2020 is the first year of imple- We have, and are still, mapping out where rays of hope that give us optimism for a menting this change. In such a crisis, MCF Muslim charitable organisations are work- better future. The crisis has highlighted our went beyond its membership to assist the ing, what service they are providing, the interdependence and demonstrated how Muslim charitable sector in its response needs they are fulfilling and what support when we come together, we can achieve to coronavirus by providing guidance and they need. At the time of writing, MCF has so much more. The story of MCF’s response advice, acting as a platform for collabo- identified 250 Muslim charitable organisa- to the crisis is just that, a story of how ration and promoting the incredible work tions which have served their community organisations and individuals from an array conducted by organisations across the UK. during the pandemic. The mapping process of different disciplines collaborated for the has involved calling responding groups benefit of humanity. and finding more organisations which have The Campaign for responded from these conversations. This Serving the Sector National Solidarity was an effective way to build trust and offer support. In late February/early March 2020, at the We utilised our role as an umbrella body Muslim Charities Forum (MCF) we were to create a national solidarity campaign, a We directed resources from well-resourced regularly communicating with communi- first of its kind in the history of the British charities to help smaller, less well-resourced ty responders in Italy to understand the Muslim charitable sector: bringing together ones. For example, a community group situation and what could be learned in 20 national charities, 11 umbrella organ- in London were running out of person- case the UK follows a similar trajectory. As isations and 7 media partners. As a result al protective equipment (PPE) and we soon as the crisis began to severely impact of which, we have been able to galvanise connected them with a charity distributing daily life at home, MCF decided to divert all a powerful number of local, national and PPE for free. Similarly, a small grassroots

8 our understanding of the situation within the Muslim charitable sector.

THE CRISIS HAS HIGHLIGHTED OUR INTERDEPENDENCE Our report, ‘The Neighbours Next Door: The AND DEMONSTRATED HOW WHEN WE COME TOGETHER, Story of Muslim Organisations Responding WE CAN ACHIEVE SO MUCH MORE. THE STORY OF MCF’S to COVID-19’, was perhaps our best mech- RESPONSE TO THE CRISIS IS JUST THAT, A STORY OF HOW anism of raising the profile of the Muslim ORGANISATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS FROM AN ARRAY OF charitable sector. An outcome of our ongoing mapping exercise, the report provided DIFFERENT DISCIPLINES COLLABORATED FOR THE BENEFIT data, case studies, and future challenges OF HUMANITY. facing the sector. The impact the report had was clear for us to see with many organisations connecting with MCF for the first time to understand more how they can support Muslim charitable organisations. foodbank in Nottingham was struggling e. Guide: Unmet Needs in the with supplies and we connected them to a Community A Huge Thank You charity which provided the means to keep f. Guide: Preparing for the New going. MCF also assisted organisations to Normal MCF is a small team with limited resources reach out to wider networks based on their but fulfilling a vital need in a crisis. The needs such as UK Community Foundations, g. Guide: Preparing for a Local response would not have been as effective FareShare and more. Lockdown without the cooperation and assistance from a variety of organisations and individ- 2. Volunteering Positive Connections uals – far too many to list here. However, there is a small group of volunteers that There has been a plethora of volunteering A key element of MCF’s work has been to we must give a special mention to. In the activity dedicated to helping vulnerable connect Muslim charitable organisations early phases of the crisis, the MCF team individuals, particularly in the early stages to mainstream sector support. There is was overburdened but fortunate to be able of the pandemic. It was vital to ensure a gap between them as many charities to rely upon a number of volunteers who volunteering was safe and safety messag- are simply unaware of the infrastructure gave up their time to assist and support the es were spread to diverse communities. available to help. MCF is a member of sector. They were all experts in their rele- MCF created a discussion group with different stakeholder groups which have vant fields and reminded us that sometimes COVID leads of national Muslim charitable helped us to reduce the disparity. MCF ‘one word of advice can be better than ten organisations to share good practices and is a founding member of the Voluntary helping hands.’ policies. Community Sector Emergency Partnership and so has been working to ensure Muslim Not Over Yet Moreover, we produced guidance, practical charitable organisations make use of the infographics and hosted a webinar on assistance that is offered through the As we are all aware, the pandemic is not volunteer safety, which were accessible to partnership. In addition, we are a member over yet. But despite this bleak outlook, all groups. of both the National Emergencies Trust’s we are confident that the increased and UK Community Foundations’ equity cooperation and collaboration this crisis 3. Providing Guidance to and diversity group in order to facilitate has enabled, will give us all the strength Charities and Volunteer more equitable distribution of funding to successfully navigate through the tough Groups during this crisis and beyond. Along similar times ahead and indeed #TogetherWeCan. lines, we established a strategic partnership From March, MCF provided charitable with London Community Foundation to not organisations with a wide range of material only enable more diverse groups to receive on handling the pandemic on a number of funding but to also provide suggestions on issues such as how to support your commu- what long-term funding priorities could be. nity and how organisations could protect their business model. And in a very short Making the Sector’s time we produced the following: Voice Known

a. Guide: How to Protect Your Busi- With a growing network, MCF has been ness Model able to share stories and needs arising from Anas Abu is a graduate of MCF’s Future b. Guide: How to Respond to the work of the Muslim charitable sector. We recognise the sector is under evidenced Leaders Programme. He completed COVID-19 a master’s degree in Development and so there is a real need to highlight it Economics at SOAS University of c. Webinar & Guide: Safeguarding to new spheres. The different stakeholder London in September 2019. He looks and Protecting Volunteers groups have enabled us to do that, and we to combine his analytical abilities are also grateful to have been invited to with community-based initiatives, and d. Webinar & Guide: To Furlough or exercised this whilst contributing to the not to Furlough a series of different roundtables with Civil MCF’s initial COVID-19 response. Society Minister, Baroness Barran to share

9 The first dive: A survey of the British Muslim charitable sector

DR ATIF IMTIAZ

he British Muslim charitable sector has grown relative importance given to each country by the charity unless it is incredibly in the past few years. To date, there explicitly mentioned in the annual report. The figures on numbers T has been no survey of British Muslim charities. It of employees and volunteers were hard to ascertain as was the is for this reason that Muslim Charities Forum has structure and names of the senior management team. been working on a survey of British Muslim charities that have a local and international focus.1 The number of charities in the UK according to income size How did we establish the list? The data for annual income for charities was of good quality and Our first aim was to establish the list of British Muslim charities we were able to gather the income data for the past five years. itself. The total number of charities run by Muslims runs into the By gathering the annual income date for the 120 charities on thousands but this includes schools and mosques. So initially we our list, we were able to calculate the annual income for British had to identify the list of British Muslim charities serving local and Muslim charities which came to just under 450 million pounds for international causes. To do this we had to develop the criteria for the year. We divided up the charities according to income size and defining a British Muslim charity. The criteria were as follows: the distribution is described in the table below. The majority of the charities – 86 out of 120 – have an annual income of under one a) The charity should be Muslim-led million pounds. Nine charities have an income of over ten million b) The charity should be based in the United Kingdom and pounds with Islamic Relief Worldwide being the largest charity registered with the Charity Commission with an annual income that has consistently been over a hundred million pounds for the past five years. c) The charity should have objectives which include local and international causes The team at MCF then worked through the Charity Commission’s register and started to identify the charities that were to be added Over 20 Million 5 to the list. This was done over a period of eighteen months. We Between 10 & 20 Million 4 then double checked the list to see if the Trustees of charities that Between 5 & 10 Million 7 were on our list were also Trustees of charities that were not on our list. Finally, the team noted the names of new charities that Between 1 & 5 Million 18 they may have come across through social media or by picking up a Between 500,000 and 1 Million 13 leaflet of a charity at a mosque or an event. After eighteen months Between 100,000 & 500,000 29 and in early 2020, we found that there were 120 charities in the Less than 100,000 44 United Kingdom that have a humanitarian focus in the UK and abroad. Numbers of charities according to income size (2017)

A note on the quality of data

The team at MCF worked through three sources of information to gather as much data as we could about the charities: a) The regis- The majority – 84 out of 120 – of the charities have been set up ter of the Charity Commission. b) Accounts submitted to Compa- in the past fifteen years. The first charities were set up in the early nies House. c) The websites of the charities themselves eighties and by the year 2000 there were only 25 charities. Many of these had been formed in response to humanitarian disasters The quality of the data provided by the charities is variable. The such as the famine in East Africa in 1984 or the war in former income and expenditure data provided since 2014 was reliable Yugoslavia from 1992-1995 which led to many Muslims engaging and the names of the trustees were also provided. However, the in charitable activities to support the Bosnian Muslims. There was a income and expenditure before 2014 was not always available rise in the number of charities being created after 2011 in response from the website of the charity or from Companies House (this may to the war in Syria and the needs of the refugees there. be because the charity was registered at a later date as a company than when it registered with the Charity Commission). The charities list the countries of operation but there is no indication of the

10 43 The figures also show that those charities with an annual income of less than a hundred thousand pounds have mostly been formed recently. 24

17 10 11 Total amount being raised per year 8 6 1 19

80-84 85-89 90-94 95-99 00-04 05-09 10-14 15-19 12 Number of charities that have been started every 11 five years since 1980 2 The total amount being raised by British Muslims has risen steadily over the years. In 2014, the annual income for this list of charities <2000 2001-2010 2010-2015 2015-2019 was about 300 million pounds. This has risen steadily to just under 450 million pounds in 2018 which is an increase of 50%. This is the figure for the funds that are declared through those charities that are registered with the Charity Commission. Many donors all give in charity through private contacts to family and friends in Initial Considerations needy situations and this will also be a substantial amount though to date there has been no work done on this for the British Muslim There are a series of initial considerations that arise when one community as a whole. The steady rise does show that charitable considers the annual income figures for the British Muslim chari- giving in the British Muslim community is robust. table sector. The first is that this survey shows that there has been steady growth in the British Muslim charitable sector for the past four decades in the numbers of charities and in the overall annual Total amount being raised per year income. The second is that this growth is robust. The figures have 500,000,000 not fluctuated year-on-year but instead there has been a steady 450,000,000 increase in the annual incomes of the charities over the years. 400,000,000 350,000,000 300,000,000 There is a diversity in the size of charity across the sector, with 250,000,000 some charities being quite large. But many charities are quite small. 200,000,000 150,000,000 The large number of small charities leads to a sense of dispersal or 100,000,000 chaos in the charity sector. Many small charities have been set up 50,000,000 0 only in the past few years. 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 There remains nevertheless great potential in the charitable sector to help those that are suffering the most in Similarly, there has been a steady increase in the annual incomes other parts of the world. of the largest charities. Most have seen a steady increase in their income for the past five years.

Number of charities formed in each period

140,000,000 120,000,000 100,000,000 80,000,000 60,000,000 40,000,000 20,000,000 0

1 2 3 4 5 Dr Atif Imtiaz is MCF’s Senior Research & Policy Advisor. Dr Atif has been the World Federation Ummah Welfare Trust Al Khair Foundation Academic Director at the Cambridge Muslim Muslim Aid Human Appeal Penny Appeal Islamic Relief Muslim Hands College. He has also published a book on British Muslims called ‘Wandering Lonely in a Crowd.’

1 This survey has been conducted over a period of two years and the following members of staff and volunteers at Muslim Charities Forum have all contributed to the gathering of data: Dr Davide Pettinato, Anas Abu, Yadida Gaba, Ishtiaq Siddiqui, Leila Akmel, Ala Bnouf and Saba Mughal.

11 Islamic charities between France and the United Kingdom: A comparison

LUCAS FAURE

healthcare assistance, interfaith initiatives and advocacy. Moreover, Muslim NGOs have been at the forefront of active intervention since the beginning of the public health emergency in France and the United Kingdom, providing support to vulnerable populations impacted by the virus. Their growing concern for national needs has helped them to establish sustainable partnerships with public authorities. 2 While conducting my research in the United Kingdom, I was able to consider the similarities and differences between British and French charities. I noticed three major ew academic researchers French and British Muslim charities. differences and these revolved around: the have studied Islamic influence of the State in the regulation of humanitarian organisa- For example, large numbers of French the charitable sector, the welfare traditions tions in France and my Islamic NGOs have British roots – the F in each country in the provision of social work has focused on most emblematic being Secours Islamique services and public perceptions of Islam comparing British Muslim France (which originally flew the British flag and secularism. I hope that as I conclude charities with their French “sister” charities. within the Islamic Relief “family”), Human my research I will be able to contribute This lack of interest is puzzling when one Appeal and Muslim Hands. On the ground, towards a greater understanding of the considers the continuous attention on they work side by side with smaller local Muslim charitable sector, at least within Muslims in French society and the media. voluntary-based organisations. That is one Europe. In France, Islamic NGOs have mainly been of the reasons why I decided to investigate presented as part of traditional religious British and French charities at the nation- institutions (e.g. mosques or Muslim feder- al level, as there seems to have been a ations), while scholars have neglected their noticeable shift towards local actions since autonomy and respective strategies. It has the 2010s. 1 been my intention to fill this knowledge gap and I have been conducting fieldwork on Muslim humanitarian NGOs in Europe “LARGE NUMBERS OF since 2017. FRENCH ISLAMIC NGOS HAVE BRITISH ROOTS” My research focuses on the relationships between Islamic humanitarian organisa- Lucas Faure has been pursuing a PhD tions in the United Kingdom and in France, (2017- ) at the Institute of Political and I have a special interest in the intersec- Indeed, Muslim NGOs were at the frontline Sciences (Aix-en-Provence, France). His dissertation titled “Networks, figures tion of secularism and socio-political forms of the so-called refugee-crisis and deployed of involvement and generational of social welfare and their repercussions a massive emergency response in favor reconfiguration of social welfare actors: within Muslim charitable organisations. In of refugees providing support in refugee the example of Islamic humanitarian that specific context, I embrace a compar- camps, for instance in “Calais Jungle”. They organizations in France and in the United Kingdom” is mainly based on a year-long ative approach in my dissertation not only then broadened their activities to incor- observation within Muslim NGOs in both because of the abundance of English-lan- porate all those in need, including fellow countries. He is particularly interested in guage literature on the topic, (and the non-Muslim citizens. They are providing the influence of faith-based organizations paucity of French literature, to which I hope food assistance (through food distribution on development policies at both the local and international levels. to make a contribution), but also because or food baskets) but also include educa- of the shared family connections among tional training, tackling homelessness,

1 Faure, Lucas. «L’agir « ici » et « là-bas » : questionner les catégories des pratiques du bien au prisme du Secours Islamique France», dans Ruiz de Elvira, Laura et Saeidnia, Sahar (dir.), Les mondes de la bien-faisance. (Se) mobiliser pour le « bien », (se) gouverner par le « bien », CNRS Editions, 2020 (forthcoming). 2 Faure, Lucas. « Muslim NGOs Facing Covid-19 in France ». Allegra Lab online. MUHUM, 2020. https://allegralaboratory.net/muslim-ngos-facing-covid-19-in-france-muhum/

12 MotherKind Clinic: Reaching those in need

UMAR RASHID

fghanistan has suffered The number of deaths of infants under one from many decades of year old each year was 155 per 1,000 live “LIFE EXPECTANCIES AT BIRTH A conflict which has result- births compared to 65 in Pakistan and 49 FOR AFGHANS BORN IN ed in a deficient health in India. 2010 WAS ONLY 44 YEARS ” care system which fails to provide in many areas Muslim Hands realised that Afghanistan’s the most basic of health care provisions. health sector is one area which required This coupled with other factors such as a intervention and in 2011 it established a and the local media were two of the three lack of clean water, sanitation and hygiene basic health unit which is predominantly top factors in influencing whether they use has resulted in poor health indicators for focused around maternal health services the clinic. the country. Life expectancies at birth for called the MotherKind Clinic. This clinic was Afghans born in 2010 was only 44 years established in a rural district on the east Techniques used to be compared to the world average at 67 years side of Kabul and serves poor communities Accepted and much lower than neighbouring coun- which reported higher levels of health tries like Pakistan (65 years), Iran (70 years) issues and maternal complications. Howev- Muslim Hands was aware of these and India (66 years). er, within Afghanistan without the accept- stakeholders in determining whether the ance of the clinic by the community and women would utilize the clinic so the Maternal health is also another area which particularly the women and their male rela- project’s design included several compo- Afghanistan lacks behind many other tives or husbands, the target beneficiaries nents to increase the likelihood it would be countries. The maternal mortality rate was would struggle to gain permission to access accepted. Firstly, the senior doctors and the 460 per 100,000 in 2010. This is substan- the services. Muslim Hands Afghanistan management of the clinic would have regu- tially worse compared to other countries carried out a survey at the end of 2019 to lar meetings with community represent- such as Pakistan (260), India (200) and the look at the influence of certain stakeholders atives. These formalised meetings would world average (approximately 230). This is in determining whether expectant and new include local religious leaders, community further compounded by Afghanistan having mothers will utilize the MotherKind Clinic. heads from the different villages and other one of the highest infant mortality rates. It found that all stated that their husbands politicians. The purpose of these meetings

13 specific challenges in effectively reaching its beneficiaries and being accepted by the communities. Muslim Hands implementing a standard global project without making modifications for the specific location would have most likely failed in Afghani- stan. Instead by the clinic employing a few techniques, such as having key stakeholders such as community leaders and local imams involved and supporting the process, the effective use of Community Health Workers and creating a welcoming environment for women, this helped the clinic to be more effective.

Umar Rashid is the WASH, Health and Street Children Lead at Muslim is to engage the community and create a Hands. He manages projects across 12 sense of ownership of the clinic and involve “IT FOUND THAT ALL STATED countries and developed Muslim Hands them in the direction of the clinic. These THAT THEIR HUSBANDS AND WASH standards. He has a degree in influential people will then speak to the Politics and a masters in Global Business THE LOCAL MEDIA WERE Analysis. He is also a Magistrate sitting rest of the community on behalf of the on the Nottinghamshire bench. clinic and articulate health messages and a TWO OF THE THREE TOP positive image of the clinic. FACTORS IN INFLUENCING WHETHER THEY USE THE The second component is the use of CLINIC. ” Community Health Workers. This involved recruiting 22 female volunteers from different villages and communities and making them the clinic’s outreach and point of they felt that the Community Health Work- contact within the communities. These ers had strongly influenced the opinions of volunteers are regularly trained and are the stakeholders in favour of the Mother- competent and capable in delivering first Kind Clinic. aid and information to the communities. During Muslim Hands Afghanistan Survey, The next component was hiring female one female stated that community workers staff, especially doctors. Women during the had provided information on ‘New-born rule of the Taliban were highly restricted care, breast feeding and vaccination’ from working, however it was crucial that whilst another stated she received advice the MotherKind Clinic created an environ- on ‘General hygiene and safe water and ment in which women felt comfortable to prevention of diarrhoea’ and a third privately discuss with medical experts their stated they received information on ‘Drug issues, and in Afghanistan that would only addiction, how to deal with such people be possible with female staff. Therefore, and prevent our family member from this the pharmacist, many of the doctors and bad action’. nurses are women. Finally, the clinic must be female friendly within the context of Because the Community Health Workers Afghan culture. There are dedicated seating are women, this allows them to easily have areas for women and private spaces where access to females and particularly expect- women can feel comfortable. ant and new mothers. They also build a rapport with families of the women from Conclusion areas which are some distance from the MotherKind clinic and the services available Muslim Hands intervention into mater- there. All the women surveyed stated that nal health care was going to find

14 An integrated approach to education in emergencies

AZEEMA ALI

n assessment conducted 2. Recreation and Extra-Curricular Activ- children are listened to, respected, by Cox’s Bazar Education ities – sufficient space was allocated cared for and treated equally. Staff Sector and Child Protec- for children to participate in various have created an environment where A tion partners in Decem- sports, games and activities. children feel safe, happy, confident and ber 2017 found many loved. 3. Staff and Training – adequate and Rohingya children were qualified staff were hired and given 3. Children actively participate in games exhibiting distress through changes in their training to equip them with knowledge and activities that promote teamwork, behaviour1. Key reasons cited for distress and skills required to successfully collaboration and cooperation in order were memories of violence, exposure to implement PSS and SEL. to strengthen their social wellbeing sexual violence, missing family and a lack and build relationships. They are given of schooling and recreational activities2. In 4. Integrated Services – children are responsibility of taking care of their September 2018, approximately 267,000 given nutritious food and access to environment and those around them learners aged 3 to 24 in the Rohingya free health care. Their families are to create a sense of belonging and refugee camp had no access to education invited to awareness raising sessions community spirit. facilities or training3. These huge numbers on important issues impacting their prompted Islamic Help and its partner community. to prioritise children’s needs through an Conclusion 5. Monitoring and Supervision – regular education facility with integrated Psychoso- visits are made and monthly updates cial Support (PSS) and Social and Emotional Over the past two years we have made provided. A survey is conducted every Learning (SEL). significant progress in providing children of six months to assess impact of services conflict with a secure and stable environ- provided. The primary objective was ensuring Rohing- ment that encourages positive growth and ya children affected by conflict had a safe development. We have evaluated each space to learn, develop and play. Following child’s wellbeing and devised targeted the Inter-agency Network for Education in plans and activities to help them heal and Emergencies (INEE) Minimum Standards “ALL CHILDREN ARE LISTENED recover from any trauma they suffered. and guidance on integrating PSS and SEL TO, RESPECTED, CARED FOR Children have shown significant improve- into education, we hoped to achieve results AND TREATED EQUALLY. ments in behaviour, attitude and ability and we hope to continue enabling them to heal by conducting activities that supported STAFF HAVE CREATED AN and thrive. learners’ development of skills and knowl- ENVIRONMENT WHERE edge, enhanced emotional wellbeing and CHILDREN FEEL SAFE, HAPPY, strengthened learners’ social wellbeing4. CONFIDENT AND LOVED” Implementation: Establishing a Safe, Azeema is part of Islamic Help’s Secure, Learner-friendly Environment with Institutional Funding & Partnerships department. She has an interest in Integrated PSS and SEL To ensure our post-conflict development, humanitarian primary objective and aims were achieved, Achievements development and education for we conducted extensive research to create refugees. At Islamic Help she has had a workable implementation plan suitable the opportunity to work on and develop A number of our main objectives have been health and education projects for for the Rohingya refugee context in Cox’s achieved through the following activities refugees and IDPs in various countries. Bazar. This included the following: and teaching methods:

1. Developing Learning Environment and 1. Successfully carried out awareness Facilities – children were split into raising sessions to equip children classes by age and given age-appro- with new skills and provide important priate learning materials and games. life-saving information. Children are Counselling rooms were created for encouraged to participate in their own one-on-one and group sessions. Water, cultural games and activities. Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH) facilities were established. 2. Staff use positive teaching methods and positive discipline whereby all

1. Joint Rapid Education and Child Protection Need Assessment (JRNA), Rohingya Refugee Response 2017, p.10: www.humanitarianresponse.info/sites/www.humanitarianresponse.info/files/ documents/files/eie_cpie_jrna_report_-_rohingya_refugee_response_-_25_january_2018.pdf 2. Ibid 3. www.humanitarianresponse.info/en/operations/bangladesh/education/documents www. humanitarianresponse.info/sites/www.humanitarianresponse.info/files/documents/files/iscg_situation_report_27_sept_2018.pdf 4. As set out in INEE Guidance Note on PSS, p.17

15 Educating the excluded children of Pakistan: A project for children living in a brothel

HASEEB KHAN

for admission into regular schools. Our educational curriculum has been developed while considering the local Islamic and social values and this helps the children to integrate with the mainstream children in the schools and society.

The safeguarding and welfare of children is our project’s paramount objective. Therefore our customised information, education and communication materials on protection ensure children are trained on how to react to difficult situations and build up interpersonal relationships so that they can discuss any matters with staff or ducation is a universal family members. right but in Pakistan twenty-two million chil- “CHANGE IN SUCH A In the last two years eighty children have E dren were not in school SITUATION WILL NOT been enrolled in our centre and out of them between the age of five COME EASILY, HOWEVER fifteen have joined mainstream education. and sixteen. Among the EDUCATION AND SOCIAL We understand that change in such a situa- many factors keeping children out of school AWARENESS MAY HELP TO tion will not come easily, however educa- were poverty, lack of a safe schooling tion and social awareness may help to CHANGE THE LIVES OF environment and poor quality of educa- change the lives of some of these children. tion, corporal punishment and a failure to SOME OF THESE CHILDREN.” enforce compulsory education. Many of This project has reminded us about the role these out-of-school children can be found of charities and community organisations on the streets engaging in child labour with part of any political party’s agenda. As per in providing solutions to some of the most hardly any protection against abuse and reports from civil society organisations difficult social challenges in our societies. exploitation. there are many thousands of sex workers in Pakistan. The children living in the brothels Among these out-of-school children, the face multiple problems. Girls are considered most vulnerable group are the children valuable assets since they are inducted of sex workers in Pakistan. These children into the sex trade by gangs whereas boys are the forgotten by-product of Pakistan’s are considered a burden. However in both undercover sex trade: spending their days cases they don’t attend school and end up on the streets and returning at night to on the streets. The criminals target them sleep on the floors of the brothel. They face in illegal activities like the supply of illicit malnutrition, physical and mental abuse drugs and sex. and are prime targets of trafficking. Apni Taleem is an initiative of Muslim Char- Haseeb Khan is a Programme Manager for The sex trade in Pakistan is illegal and Muslim Charity, Helping the Needy. He has ity and its partner organisation. It has been worked in the charitable sector for more than punishable according to law. The children started to ensure protection of children ten years. He is passionate about community are therefore considered illegitimate and to increase their interest in the chil- development, implementing innovative ideas the majority of them are not registered dren’s well-being and trust in our project and translating them into positive social with government authorities and moreover, objectives. We provide education and impact. their protection and development is not psycho-social support to prepare children

16 Prevention is better than cure: The case for supporting Human Rights Defenders

KYAW WIN

Human rights abuses are are risking their lives. Simply put, without the good they do to be multiplied and in becoming a norm in a sufficient financial support activists struggle moments of great tension it can be the world that was supposed to do their jobs effectively. difference between an oppressor taking an H to have moved on action or being deterred from wrong doing. to be more humane, The words of this activist express the tolerant and devel- sadness of being ignored by fellow oped. Muslims are among communities Muslims. who are increasingly facing persecution in different countries around the world. ‘’As a Burmese Muslim and activist, since They desperately need advocates to counter 2012, I founded a human rights organ- their oppressors. Yet the Muslim community isation. Until 2015, we faced extreme has been reluctant to go into its pocket to difficulty in running the organisation with- support those advocates. out funding. Luckily, one day our activities were noticed by a few US donors. Since In the UK, Muslims have become one of the then we have received funding from donors most generous communities with regard to of all backgrounds, including Christian and Kyaw Win is a human rights activist, born and support for humanitarian work, donating Jewish organisations. We are deeply appre- brought up in Rangoon, Burma (Myanmar). In 2012 Kyaw Win founded the Burma Human to many causes around the world. Charity ciative of the fact that they never placed Rights Network (BHRN) in London, as the is a fundamental aspect of the religion any preconditions on our work in order to executive director he leads several teams inside that is encouraged and embraced by most receive funding. We are only expected to do Myanmar who are documenting human rights adherents. our job well and report back on our impact. violations. Under his leadership, BHRN has expanded across Burma and become a reliable Sadly, we have never received support from source of information for the international For example, every year there is another Muslim donors or organisations. Our community. incredible effort especially during Ramadan concern isn’t about the money, but the lack to generously donate towards the latest of solidarity that means so much to our refugee community. Yet little is given to the sisters and brothers facing oppression for human rights defenders that work tirelessly, simply being Muslim. often at great risk to their own lives and livelihoods to prevent their communities This is the time for Muslim commu- from becoming vulnerable refugees and nities, organisations and donors to displaced people in the first place. Muslim commit a portion of their generosity philanthropists in education and develop- to advocacy and activists defend- ment exist but it’s almost impossible to ing oppressed people’s rights. A dedicated name a Muslim philanthropist supporting fund to support non-violent activities these often fatigued activists. should be a top priority in this vein.”

Their job is to monitor human rights viola- Violent retaliation towards the oppressors tions and collect evidences, which can then is not a solution. So we must give full be used in media advocacy, through legal support to non-violent actions that help channels and presented to policymakers end oppression. It helps to draw energy who can effect change. Their work is a very away from those who offer violence as a important stepping stone on the path to solution and stops us from surrendering justice and they are vital to bringing inter- to merely consoling the hurt, rather than national pressure, such as sanctions and seeking to prevent their hurt. other political tools, against the oppressors. They make sure the truth doesn’t disappear Solidarity is the glue that keeps good and that none feel voiceless and ignored people together, but funds are the means in their pain. Their activities are costly and by which these human rights defenders often extremely challenging to carry out, can continue, organise, develop, protect and yet they do so often, knowing that they each other and reach out further. It allows

17 The compliance of charities’ work with Islamic teachings

REHAN SALIM

or faith-based charities pillars: Trustworthiness and Capability. religious directives are “THE DESIGNATION OF A a key component which Trustworthiness is relatively straightfor- F determine an organisa- ward. However, capability is in reference to CHARITY IS THAT OF AN tion’s ethics and policy the public function intended. In the case AGENT AND HENCE IS positions. However, after of the charity sector, this could include: BOUND BY A NUMBER OF discussion with a number of individuals in effective project management, strong VALUES ” the sector and recent events, it seems there financial acumen, sector expertise and of is a need to recalibrate the relationship of course knowledge of what is Islamically charitable activities with Sacred Law (the permissible/impermissible (in particular Shari’ah). as this agency involves the discharge of National Zakat Foundation, Muslim religious duties). Charities Forum amongst others. Muslim According to scholars, the designation of Hands for example has an in-house Mufti. a charity is that of an agent and hence For this reason therefore, it seems simple, But something covering a variety of themes is bound by a number of values, most pragmatic and consolidated guidance on which is accessible to all charities (from six notably amanah (or fulfilling the trust). This a variety of Islamic positions would be month old volunteer charities up to £20M+ can take different forms, but specifically welcomed. In other words, a ‘Fiqh of charity income charities) ensuring Shari’ah compli- refers to discharging the trust of donations administration’ which covers two main ance is required. in respect to the donor as well as the elements; 1) Well researched Islamic rulings beneficiaries it has been collected for in a and 2) their application (in particular at There are some initiatives taking place way that is acceptable to Allah. Interest- project implementation level). at the moment to this end, and I have ingly, some scholars in the field of Islamic outlined some of the key themes I believe governance (siyasah) inferred that appoint- Alhamdulillah, some good research-based which most charities need to be well versed ment to public functions, of which charities work has already been undertaken by on from a fiqh perspective: would conceptually fall under, rests on two organisations such as Islamic Relief,

18 ZAKAH ADMINISTRATION INTERVENTION EFFECTIVENESS – its use, reality/definitions of the eight categories, – e.g. Islamic standard operating procedures for cost deduction allowances, how much to distribute. setting up Islamic microfinance (models of Murabaha, Musharakah), the most effective way of discharging ORPHAN SPONSORSHIP Zakah funds in volatile areas. – the legal position of a charity, discharging funds, its responsibilities. WORKING IN HOSTILE AREAS – situations of necessity, handling aid diversion, IMPORTANCE OF AMĀNAH/ balancing donor specifications vs beneficiary needs. DISCHARGING THE TRUST The actual status of a ‘charity’ in the sector and its – the burden of collecting funds, acceptable time obligations as an agent? What are the implications and scales of delivery and the philosophy of development responsibilities? interventions. GENERAL UK ADMINISTRATION QURBANI (Ritual slaughter) – charity investments, insurance for staff travelling, – rulings, exceptions, best practice at field level. shari’ah compliant contracts (for simple things like renting a building). ESTABLISHING ENDOWMENTS (Awqãf) WILLS AND INHERITANCE – conditions, ownership structure, eligibility of – knowledge on advising on wills, inheritance. temporary endowments. RAMADAN RELATED MANAGING FINANCES – Zakat’l-fitr related issues, disbursing fidyah, are – obligations of restricted vs unrestricted funds, charities obligated to stop accepting donations if they direct vs support costs and potential analogy to can’t fulfil certain criteria? Zakah collector criteria. The Islamic view of charitable expenditure (not just according to Charity Commission guidelines alone).

The above is relating specifically to Islamic rulings, as opposed to the practical methods of effective implementation such as good governance, systems and programme effectiveness. There is already a considerable amount of work that has been done on some of these issues in the mainstream sector. Rehan Salim is an international Some may argue how will everyone agree development post-graduate and with the many opinions and schools of has been working in the charity and corporate sector for over 16 thought? I believe it is possible to find a years. His primary background is in middle path on this, whilst maintaining Programme management (delivering orthodoxy. There will be differences, but emergency and development on the whole as long as scholars and projects) and has worked with Human Appeal, Ernst & Young practitioners of different denominations and READ foundation. He is also work together to fulfil the letter and spirit the founder of N3O, a software of the Shari’ah (seeking Allah’s pleasure), company focused on CRM solutions inshAllah, it can work. It should be kept in for the charity sector. mind that to date there have been several fiqh councils that have been running in different parts of the world for many years which have dealt with issues like these. There is no reason why we can’t do the same here in Britain.

19 The age of disinformation and industrial Islamophobia

BASHIR IBRAHIM

be alarmed at this experience of undue targeting and the harmful knock-on effect on reputations and in turn on the ability to raise funds and operate effectively to improve and save lives.

In order for the power and intimidation of these entities to wane and for Muslim charities to feel some relief, I make this plea;

To Muslim and other faith-based charities – remain calm, keep up the good work, for you represent the best of your faiths and of ost organisations will at civil society. some point during their “IF YOU THROW operation be faced with ENOUGH MUD, THEIR HOPE To the rest of civil society a crisis. If you’re lucky, M – offer your private and public support IS THAT SOMETHING WILL it’s a rare occurrence. when a fellow charity comes under For Muslims, it is far too STICK AND ONLINE THIS IS malicious attack, yesterday it was another, common an occurrence. When we at MCF EXACTLY WHAT IS HAPPENING” today it is us and tomorrow it may be you. organised a crisis communication and Our collective future relies on using our defamation workshop with one of the UK’s influence to protect each other. best-known law firms in this field, the semi- platforms and appealing to their low risk nar was over-subscribed by our members appetite by threatening them with negative To donors and non-members alike – such was the media attention. It is sad to say that for – Judge your donations on their impact. demand to be adequately equipped against many ‘friends’ this is enough to stop them Lives saved and lives changed. These are the regular onslaught by those who seek to working with charities whose good work the truest tests. defame Muslim charities. is undeniable from feeding the victims of famine, sheltering the survivors of war or It is time to shed a light on this matter; rebuilding after a flood. And “finally, to those who Muslim charities are under regular attack wish to harm charities by individuals, blogs, think-tanks (which So what wrongs are Muslim charities being – remember you have done great harm to do not declare their sources of funding), asked to answer for? Well, the attacks are those who rely on these charities and you governments and sections of the media. seldom directly associated with the chari- are making our world a worst off place.” Many Muslim charities fight these battles ties themselves and are a result of mostly in private for fear that highlighting them unsubstantiated accusations, decontextual- will result in unfavourable effects; be it ised words or historic guilt-by-association loss of public donations, withdrawal of recycled daily by a mixture of bots and institutional funding and support or making malicious or poor journalism . But “if you themselves a target for further attacks - throw enough mud, their hope is that which is exactly the objective of these kind something will stick and online this is of attacks. exactly what is happening.” The objective was never the truth, the hope was to cause These attacks are primarily the conse- Muslims and Muslim charities to withdraw quence of the global growth of Islamopho- from public life. bia, displaced geopolitics and the historic Bashir Ibrahim is an accomplished Advocacy distaste for NGOs that some governments “Charities that operate lawfully and in and Communications professional having have and are aimed at hindering the vital accordance with all existing rules and worked across the Third Sector, Politics and Local Government. Bashir is a campaigner work of Muslim charities through delegit- policies should not have to exist in fear” of and regular speaker on Islamophobia in the imising and casting doubts on them and being targeted by these shadowy organisa- media and at events, more so since 2017 their operations. They rely on targeting tions. As Muslim or non-Muslim, we should when his brother was injured in the Finsbury partners, funders, even banks and donation Park Terrorist Attack.

20 What are donors looking for when they donate to charities?

ATIF KHAN

charities are no longer able to be brushed 3. Strategic transparency. This will under the carpet. There are a number of become a focus for donors, and an existing groups outraged by these, who will increasingly important differentiator continue to vocalise their frustrations with between charities. Donors concerned escalating aggression to the wider commu- about deficiencies in properly nity. These issues will continue to deter all researched strategy will want to three types of donors. understand why a charity is focused on a particular region, sector or campaign As a result of this changing environment, and why they are the best choice to future donating habits will be very different deliver. from past ones. Donors will become most focused on explicit and unequiv- The need for strategic transparency will ocal demonstrations of transparency, in require an overhaul of strategy governance sharp contrast to historic lip service from and a serious scrutiny of stale trustees and charities. senior executives, many of whom are under equipped to deal with this new environ- The transparency which ment. It makes sense to use the commu- donors will seek include: nity by inducting voluntary professional fter twelve years of expertise with an understanding of modern gifting money to charities 1. Financial transparency and the standards of excellence in corporate on behalf of anonymous expunging of cheap facades such as governance and strategy. A donors, and after spend- the gift aid narrative or 100% Zakat ing much of that time policies. People will become fully All of this is quite intuitive and already advising a number of aware of fundraising costs and delivery well discussed, but sadly, the industry has Muslim charities, there are a few thoughts costs, and they will scrutinise them. shown a lazy complacency for poor prac- that come to mind about what donors are There will be no hiding place for the tice: to quote the CEO of a large Muslim looking for when they give. questionable financial practices that charity a few years ago talking about have dripped into the public fray the pending scandals, “People will forget about There are three broad types of donors, with past few years. these things like they did with Oxfam”. slightly different motivations. The largest group is the public, they are generally 2. Project delivery transparency. There Donor trust deficit is being danger- self-motivated through conviction of faith. will be a focus on the visible account- ously underestimated by the industry. Secondly, there are institutions such as ability of direct charitable activity as This will have to change, or conse- the UN, EU or the UK government which compared to the opacity of institution- quences will have to be faced. donate according to reputation and project al granting. Institutional granting will expertise and finally there are corporate soon be exposed as an easy marketing donors, for instance businesses and high ploy for money dumping, with no net worth individuals, whose motivations control of delivery or cost. The ideal Atif Khan is a philanthropist who has lie somewhere in-between. The public are solution to both of these transparency worked closely with and has advised becoming noticeably better informed on demands is some form of blockchain charities and charitable trusts over the how their money is being utilised. More technology or equivalent: a mecha- past twelve years. of the community are reaching the point nism to prove where every penny is where they have time to apply accumulated spent. Previous strategies of using professional skills to deep dive into annual slick advertising campaigns in place of returns, and technology and social media transparency won’t work against viral facilitate broad communication of their messaging on the misuse of funds.The discoveries. first charities to adopt policies such as these will take market share away In addition, the growing number of serious from the others, as scandals tumble incidences of malpractice amongst Muslim out of the disruption.

21 Orphan programmes today and tomorrow

JONATHAN BENTHALL

Have you considered him who new approach is to listen to the voices calls the Judgment a lie? of children and try to understand their viewpoints. “A HALLMARK OF THE NEW That is the one who treats the APPROACH IS TO LISTEN TO orphan with harshness Muslims traditionally define ‘orphan’ as a THE VOICES OF CHILDREN (QUR’AN 107:1–2) child who has lost his or her father, i.e. the AND TRY TO UNDERSTAND family breadwinner, but the term is often THEIR VIEWPOINTS.” held to include other vulnerable children. Projects to care for orphans are extensive slamic morality sets a and varied throughout the Muslim-majority high value on the care of world and among Muslim minorities. There system had been established by Christian orphans. It is grounded is no tradition in Islam of so-called ‘closed’ and secular charities during the mid-twen- I in theology, not least adoption, that is to say raising children tieth century, and has the advantage because the Prophet exactly as if they were one’s own, and of making each donor feel personally Muhammad was an naming them after the adoptive rather than involved. It has been implemented on a orphan himself. If one speaks of orphans the biological father. Fostering is encour- large scale by Islamic charities, especially to devout Muslims, they may well make a aged, however, known as kafa’ah, leaving through invoking the Qur’anic injunctions gesture of crossing two fingers – alluding untouched the legal relationship between to give zakat and sadaqa. to a saying of the Prophet that whoever the actual parents and the child. looks after an orphan will be ‘like this’ with Within the wider professional aid commu- him in Paradise. This teaching, it seems, has helped to nity, the emphasis on children for the legitimate Islamic charities’ adaptation of purposes of fundraising and campaigning Practical concern for orphans is a great their policies to follow the precedent of is sharply debated. One-to-one child strength of Muslim charities. Yet there is international one-to-one child ‘sponsorship’ sponsorship has come in for especially room for dialogue with the wider world at a distance, using modern communica- incisive questioning. The practice has come of humanitarianism, where much thought tions technology. Donations are solicited to be seen as potentially apt to encourage has been given to the best ways of caring for regular maintenance payments to assist dependence and to be divisive, both within for vulnerable children. A hallmark of the named children in poor countries. The recipient communities and within families.

22 It can also be demeaning to the children Child sponsorship is highly popular with Silvia Vignato has written of her recent concerned – for instance, when a child donors in general and not least with research in the troubled province of Aceh, is obliged to write or dictate thank-you Muslims. It is not a system that anyone Indonesia, ‘Acehnese children were said letters, and receives letters in return that would have chosen if they merely had to belong to Aceh and it was the adat draw attention to the difference of living development goals in mind. But it is clearly (custom or tradition) not to fail them when standards between donors and beneficiar- not going to disappear. Existing policies they are in need. … [T]he orphans looked ies. Heavy administrative costs are incurred and practices will continue to evolve in like a shared resource transcending each in the identification of recipients and the response to changes in professional and kinship group’.iv I have been impressed by monitoring of payments. Moreover, child public opinion. a similar cherishing of orphans in another protection issues present a significant severely traumatized society, that of the risk, especially in conditions of crisis and Palestinian West Bank. disaster. “IT HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED Though the variety of social systems across ON A LARGE SCALE Willem van Eekelen sees these drawbacks the Muslim world should not be underes- of child sponsorship programmes as BY ISLAMIC CHARITIES, timated, the Western concept of ‘children’s balanced by some redeeming features.i ESPECIALLY THROUGH rights’ should be compatible with the Unconditional cash transfers are now INVOKING THE QUR’ANIC Muslim tradition of holding the family as generally approved of as a way of provid- INJUNCTIONS TO GIVE the focal unit within communities. The ing aid. The element of arbitrariness in the ZAKAT AND SADAQA” Western middle-class ideal of the nuclear selection of children to be sponsored is family is, however, at odds with the reality much the same as in other contributions to of family structures in most of the global family budgets, for instance from well-off South where international NGOs make their relatives. Sponsoring children in their fami- interventions. lies and their local communities reduces Recent scandals, including those involving the need for residential orphanages, which sexual exploitation, affecting some of the raise different problems and can provide most prestigious international NGOs would opportunities for the systematic abuse of make it hard to argue that Christian and children. secular NGOs have any overall superior- ity. But at their best they have amassed Yet the balance of advantage would seem valuable expertise in the field of children’s to be more from the viewpoint of donors welfare and child protection. There is rather than that of recipients. Some prom- also an impressive trend in child-focused inent British Muslim NGOs – in common ethnography, built up over the last three with many of their Christian and secular decades, which insists on treating children counterparts – have moved to devise Jonathan Benthall is Director Emeritus, as complete human beings rather than Royal Anthropological Institute, and an schemes that answer some of the objec- trainee adults, and listening to their voices Honorary Research Fellow, Department of tions. Islamic Relief Worldwide has set an with respect. Much could be gained from Anthropology, University College London. example in publishing a 36-page leaflet on bringing this line of social research into a His publications include The Charitable its Child Protection Policy (2018).ii Muslim Crescent: Politics of Aid in the Muslim dialogue with Muslim charity practitioners World (with J. Bellion-Jourdan, 2003, Aid no longer emphasizes the orphan new paperback edition 2009) and Islamic aspect but seeks to fund any vulnerable Charities and Islamic Humanism in children. Troubled Times (2016). “SPONSORING CHILDREN They supply cash transfers on condition IN THEIR FAMILIES AND that the child sponsored has to attend THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITIES school. The deemphasizing of orphanhood REDUCES THE NEED FOR has not affected the attractiveness of the RESIDENTIAL ORPHANAGES” scheme to Muslim Aid’s donors. By contrast with some other NGOs, their donors are not allowed to select individual children but may state a preference for a country and for a boy or a girl. Muslim Aid is consider- – a suggestion I have set out elsewhere ing the possibility of moving to a communi- in more detail and with full references to ty-based scheme later. publications.iii

i ‘Revisiting child sponsorship programmes’, Development in Practice, 23(4), 2013, 468¬¬–480. ii IRW-Child-Protection-Policy-Final-Version_Web.pdf iii ‘The care of orphans in the Islamic tradition, vulnerable children, and child sponsorship programs’, Journal of Muslim Philanthropy and Civil Society, 3 (1), 2019, 4–24. Open access. https://scholarworks.iu.edu/iupjournals/index.php/muslimphilanthropy/article/view/1857/204. iv ‘Orphans, victims and families” An ethnography of children in Aceh’, Antropologia, 4(2), 2017, 65–93.

23 Adoption: Reviving a Prophetic tradition

SHADIM HUSSAIN

he Muslim Fostering about fostering within their local commu- Project was launched nity on a Friday and was able to promote in 2017 to provide “AFTER ADOPTING TWO the benefits of fostering in Islam. To further T support on fostering to CHILDREN AND BEING A highlight fostering to Black Muslim commu- the Muslim community PARENT TO THEM I CAN’T nities we launched the campaign on 16th and recommendations SEE MY LIFE WITHOUT THEM October this year to coincide with national to fostering services, the Department of AND WOULD DO IT ALL adoption week and Black History Month. Education and Ofsted on how to break AGAIN” down barriers and improve recruitment of In addition to this we also have helped Muslim foster carers. non-Muslim foster carers during the festi- vals of Eid and in Ramadan by giving out We also conduct research and gather case placements. This research also showed the educational boxes so that they could learn studies within the fostering industry to lack of targeted campaigns towards Muslim more about the faith and cultural needs of improve the sector and support services for parents in general and Black Muslim the Muslim children in their care. prospective foster carers from Muslim and parents in particular. BAME communities. We’ve been high- We remind the community that Islam lighted in two government reports and in With this in mind, we have run campaigns encouraged adoption and fostering as was 2019 we were asked to join the national and various events that have improved the the case with our Prophet Muhammad adoption recruitment steering group. community’s knowledge about foster- (peace and blessings be upon him) who ing and have also raised awareness of was also adopted as a child and who Our research demonstrated the urgent need fostering through our national Foster Friday adopted himself. However, despite this for more Muslim foster parents, especially campaign. This campaign, in partnership fact, there seem to be many unaddressed recruiting black adopters as black children with the Muslim Council of Britain, saw misconceptions in the community. As an had to wait the longest to find adoptive mosques around the UK give a sermon organisation, we try to address these

24 concerns by overcoming stereotypes and know enough about it, but from my expe- charity, we have delivered faith and cultural misunderstandings of the sector, religious rience of having been through adopting literacy training to over 500 profession- issues and the application process. children at the end of the day the bond you als working in adoption services across establish with them is truly rewarding.” England. We are now at a stage of heading Yet, it can be very disheartening to read Such case studies are a testament to the towards more understanding with the ulti- stories in the media of negative experiences fact that there are adopters who have had mate aim to have more adoptive families that BAME communities have had to face positive experiences and not every journey that have a positive experience throughout when wanting to adopt a child. A recent to adoption is the same. Dispelling negative the process and children waiting less time case last year was of a Sikh couple who stereotypes of the sector by highlighting to find homes. were unsuccessful adopting due to their such case studies can only further inspire Indian heritage. Stories like this only further others to take that step into adopting and reinforce negative stereotypes about the transforming a child’s life. sector and about the possible challenges BAME adopters could face when applying to adopt. “THERE IS IMPORTANT There is an issue with faith and cultural WORK TO BE DONE literacy that clearly needs to be addressed SO PROSPECTIVE BAME within the sector. There are also accusations ADOPTERS DO NOT FEEL of institutional racism that remain. Yet as a FEEL DISCRIMINATED result of the Black Lives Matter campaign AGAINST OR DETERRED BY Shadim Hussain is CEO at My Foster there has been room for more dialogue Family, a bespoke fostering recruitment to combat these issues and build a more THE PROCESS” and training specialist. He also plays a positive future going forward. pivotal role in being part of the National Adoption Recruitment Steering Group There are also reassuringly inspiring cases and is a Board Advisor at the Bradford Foundation Trust. of adoption within the BAME commu- Sadly, the number of BAME adopters nity, such as that of a Muslim couple in remains low, as does the number that gets Yorkshire who had adopted two children approved or even passes the phone call successfully and had a positive experi- stage of the process. There is important ence. They told us that “We adopted our work to be done so prospective BAME first child many years ago after we were adopters do not feel discriminated against told that me and my wife could not have or deterred by the process. children. After adopting two children and being a parent to them I can’t see my life The National Adoption Recruitment Steer- without them and would do it all again. ing Group has shown a solid commitment For us the process was relatively straight- to addressing these issues in partnership forward which is why we chose adoption with the Muslim Fostering Project. As part for our second child. Sometimes people in of the national #YouCanAdopt campaign the community have apprehension about launched in September working in partner- adopting or fostering a child or do not ship with Home for Good, a Christian led

25 Remembering our raison d’etre

MADIHA RAZA

n the last few years organisations had made through practical I’ve travelled deep into items such as stoves, blankets, mattresses, the heart of Mosul and kitchen sets and plastic sheets. As we I Damascus, to Myan- “I WAS ABLE TO SEE walked around, people would run up to mar’s border - where FIRST-HAND THE DIFFERENCE us, begging us to help them. One woman Rohingyan refugees were THAT AID ORGANISATIONS grabbed my arm and said: “Please come pouring into Bangladesh and to Indonesia HAD MADE THROUGH and meet my father, we need the world to where thousands of people have been PRACTICAL ITEMS ” know.” So we went to her tent. displaced due to a devastating tsunami. Her father seemed very old but he was I arrived in Mosul just two days after Iraq probably not older than my dad. He had declared it had driven out ISIL – one of an eye patch from surgery last year and a the first aid workers to reach the city. As I Everywhere I went the air was thick – bladder problem. He clearly needed medical crouched in the rubble of a ruined school, smoke mixed with sewage and something help. “My family were used as human I found a battered, light blue girl’s shoe else I had never smelled before: I was told shields,” explained his daughter. “It was amongst bits of brick and debris; it would it was bodies under the rubble which had absolutely terrifying.” She and the rest of probably fit a six or seven-year-old. I saw not yet been cleared, bodies which had the family had taken turns carrying the a dusty toy giraffe, which made me think probably been there for days. The stench patriarch of the family to the evacuation of my nephews who love cuddly animals. I was particularly strong at the school. point. It had taken them nine hours. I kept saw a car right in the middle of what would thinking: “What if this was my father?” have been a big classroom. The blasts had At Hammam al-Alil camp in southern been strong enough to throw big trucks in Mosul, where 8,000 families live in tents, One woman told me that ISIL fighters had the air. Later, I saw a bus lodged in a wall sometimes sharing with others, I was able approached her as she was cleaning the three storeys up in another part of the city. to see first-hand the difference that aid porch of her house, with clothing covering

26 her head to toe. They had reprimanded What I’ve seen is harrowing – the stuff people who are living in the direst circum- her for not wearing the traditional black of nightmares – but I have also had the stances or who have been through extreme abaya and beaten her. The Yazidi women in privilege, perhaps simply by virtue of being suffering. Our charities are the response the camps told stories of horrific condi- a woman, of female refugees wanting to to their cries for assistance. Experience in tions under captivity, of rape, torture and tell me their stories. They have allowed the field helps keeps the flame of sincerity complete barbarism. me to hold their hands, and to comfort alive. We must never forget this. them. Their needs are generally simple, like In the Cox’s Bazar area of Bangladesh, lanterns so that they can relieve themselves I couldn’t get over the sheer number of at night with less fear of being attacked. people that were arriving from Myanmar: burnt, bruised, severely malnourished and These stories paint a high-octane picture of weakened by their journey over the border. life as a humanitarian. But it isn’t always The overwhelming majority were women adrenalin-pumping work. Often, my days and children, with sickening stories of their are incredibly mundane. Whether it’s wait- male relatives being killed. ing for permission from local authorities to be able to distribute aid, or dealing with Impromptu camps were being erected in some kind of procurement and logistics and around the documented camps. Wet hold up – a lot of time in the ‘field’ is spent mud was overflowing as a result of heavy dealing with administrative issues. Madiha Raza currently works as Senior Global rain – a regular occurrence in Bangladesh. Communications at International Rescue It was, quite simply, the worst humanitarian Committee (IRC). IRC responds to the world’s situation I’ve thus far come across: children worst humanitarian crises. She also was the having to defecate anywhere they could Head of WF-Aid and worked for Muslim Aid “EXPERIENCE IN THE as their Global Communications Coordinator. find space because of a lack of latrines; FIELD HELPS KEEPS THE Madiha is also a trustee of MCF and holds a other children running around barefoot, BSc in International Politics and a Masters in spreading filthy mud and disease. It was FLAME OF SINCERITY ALIVE. International Development. nothing less than a public health crisis WE MUST NEVER waiting to happen. FORGET THIS. ”

Having arrived in Bangladesh just a week or so after the influx of refugees, I could already see the potential risks of so many women and children coming over the In between the terror and hardship, life can border. Sexual violence in refugee camps, be mundane for the women I meet too. child trafficking and other crimes are Most of their days are spent ensuring that not uncommon in such tense situations. their family members’ basic needs are met. Subsequent news coverage has proved But there is a big difference: they don’t that these concerns were not unfounded. know when, if ever, they will be able to go UN reports tell damning stories of children home. being abducted as they play in the camps. COVID-19 has further exacerbated cases The sector spends a considerable amount of gender-based violence across the world, of time in self-criticism. However, it is with an IRC study showing an almost 75% important for all of use to remember that increase in domestic violence in African though there are many areas of the sector nations during COVID-19. What’s worse is that can be improved – our raison d’etre is the lack of access to support services due important and life-affirming. There remain to lockdown restrictions. – even in today’s world – far too many

27 The implications of financial legislation on charities: The case of al-Barakaat

DR SAMANTHA MAY

eginning immediately Nearly two decades later, the assumptions after 9/11 and accentu- that prevailed after 9/11 continue to ated by the publication dominate. Very little scrutiny has occurred “NEARLY TWO DECADES B of The 9/11 Commission on the political level regarding the effects Report, policy makers LATER, THE ASSUMPTIONS of the Financial War on Terror. The assump- have closely scrutinized THAT PREVAILED AFTER 9/11 tion that non-Western forms of giving and Islamic charities, organisations and finan- CONTINUE TO DOMINATE” informal financial transactions are undoc- cial institutions globally. The Commission umented and unregulated was proven report speculates that ‘Al Qaed’a . . . took entirely incorrect in the case of al-Barakaat: advantage of Islam’s strong calls for char- a remittance service based in Somalia. itable giving. . . Charities were a source of the U.S. government has not been able to money and also provided significant cover’ The misguided attack began at the behest determine the origin of the money used for (2004: 170-171). of the United States when on November 7, the 9/11 attacks. Ultimately the question is 2001, US enforcement agents descended of little practical significance’ (2004: 172). Following 9/11, a number of financial on eight different al-Barakaat offices within However, the question has had widespread measures were taken as a consequence of the United States and four within the ‘practical significance’ globally as inter- the above unevidenced speculation, includ- United Arab Emirates, initiating charges of national humanitarian non-governmental ing the closure of all the largest Muslim terrorist offences linked to al-Qaeda. Accu- organizations have been closed, had assets charities within the US and the expansion sations were later established as baseless frozen, individuals arrested, charged, and of the Charity Commission’s regulatory and al-Barakaat was declared innocent of convicted, and, importantly, suspicion cast powers. This is despite the concluding terrorist charges. upon large swathes of Muslim communities remarks of this section of The 9/11 attempting to fulfil their charitable and Commission Report stating that, ‘to date, The initial closure of al-Barakaat and the spiritual obligations.

28 seizure of its assets was publicly deemed a financial movement facilitated by al-Bara- life source resulting in portions of the triumph by President Bush who stated that kaat. Following the closure of al-Barakaat, population becoming collateral damage ‘today’s actions disrupts al-Qaida’s commu- remittances received in Somalia fell by on the ongoing war on terrorism. The irony nications, blocks an important source of half (Warde, 2007: 101) worsening the of course is that the perceived injustice, funds … and sends a clear message to the economic conditions for thousands. worsening economic conditions, and dete- global financial institutions. You are either riorating security could potentially provide with us, or with the terrorists’ (Bush, 2001). the spark for further political violence and In total, 62 institutions and individuals had may have contributed to the emergence of their assets frozen in connection with this violent political movements in Somalia only case. In contradistinction to the high profile “IN THE CONTEXT OF NO a few years after the closure of al-Barakaat. the initial closures had in US media, the GOVERNMENT AND NO exoneration of the company that occurred FUNCTIONING STATE, THE The unintended consequences of after a lengthy and costly legal battle was SERVICES OF AL-BARAKAAT counter-terror financial initiatives may have discreet to the point that al-Barakaat is PROVED ESSENTIAL TO THE increased insecurities rather than lessened often still raised as a ‘successful’ case. them. The restriction of aid and religious LIVES OF HUNDREDS AND The case of al-Barakaat may not be well practice is also likely to create feelings of known in the Northern Hemisphere but is THOUSANDS OF SOMALI grievance and injustice, which in turn feeds renowned in Somalia for the devastation, PEOPLE RELYING ON THE into further insecurities. Current coun- suffering and injustice done. FIRM FOR EMPLOYMENT, ter-terror policies focused on the charity COMMUNICATIONS, AND and voluntary sector have the danger of To understand the detrimental and CASH TRANSFERS” being counter-productive by adding to disproportionate consequences of closing perceptions of harm, grievance and margin- al-Barakaat, one must appreciate the alisation thought to be correlating variables context in which it operates in Somalia. in violent action. Somalia is often perceived as a weak, or ‘failed’ state particularly following the It was assumed that, as an informal finan- Hindering the work of charities, volun- collapse of the government in 1991. The cial transfer network, al-Barakaat would tary organisations and informal financial downfall of the government precipitated not have written records and thus were systems creates obstacles for those trying the collapse of much of the Somali state open to abuse. However, in contrast to to challenge genuinely violent ideology including the banking and financial sector. assumptions, it was discovered that records which may, in the long run, decrease global In this context, al-Barakaat assumed a of all transactions had been kept and no security for us all. major importance in Somalia’s economy links to terrorism could be found. The FBI by providing money transfers, communica- stated that al-Barakaat’s cooperation with tions, and employment. the investigation was ‘exceptional (cited Warde, 2007: 99). Consequently, states Even the United Nations utilised al-Bar- such as Canada, the Netherlands, Sweden, akaat’s services for the delivery of and the UK concluded that there were finances to Somalia. In the context of no no grounds to sustain claims of links to government and no functioning state, the terrorism. With no compelling evidence and services of al-Barakaat proved essential pressure from other states, the US and the to the lives of hundreds and thousands UN discreetly removed al-Barakaat’s listing of Somali people relying on the firm for as a terrorist entity in 2006 resulting in an employment, communications, and cash official relaunch of the company in 2014. Dr Samantha May is Lecturer in the School of Social Sciences, University of Aberdeen. transfers. The company had been Somalia’s Dr May specialises in the relationship largest employer and operated Somalia’s The case of al-Barakaat is a reminder of between Religion and Politics and is currently only water purification plant. Closure of the the hidden violences being carried out researching Muslim charitable giving in the UK company resulted in around 700 individu- under the justification of counter terror in the context of the Financial War on Terror. als losing their jobs. Particularly important, initiatives. It could be argued that as al-Bar- was the movement of remittances from akaat have been removed from terrorist the Somalia diaspora which al-Barakaat listings and have since relaunched, little facilitated. real damage has been done. However, this is to neglect and underestimate the harm The UN estimated that remittances alone and suffering that the Somali population were approximately $500 million in 2001, endured during the years of al-Barakaat’s over ten times that received in foreign closure. In the name of Western national aid (El-Fath, 2009:16) with much of the security, the Somali population lost a vital

Bush, George. W. 2001. The White House, ‘Terrorist Financial Network Factsheet’, https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2001/11/20011107-6.html El-Fath A Adel Salam. 2009. ‘War on Terror: Fantasy and Fiction Behind the Mythology of Terrorist Financing’, Intellectual Discourse, å17 (1): 1-23. The 9/11 Commission Report. 2004. https://www.9-11commission.gov/report/911Report.pdf Warde, Ibrahim. 2007. The Price of Fear: The Truth Behind the Financial War on Terror, (California; University of California Press).

29 Promoting a faith-inclusive approach to development

AJAZ AHMED KHAN & AFFAN CHEEMA

At a time when development and humanitarian agencies are re-examining issues of identity, legitimacy and diversity, we hope that this book stimulates further discussion about the importance of faith in development strategies, particularly when engaging with Muslim communities, institutions and faith leaders. We also hope that it encourages a wider range of faith-based agencies to articulate their perspectives and have their voices heard. If development is to succeed, then we must better understand the world from the perspective of those we are seeking to support, and promote more integral, inclusive and community appropri- ate strategies.

aith is central to the lives We argue that Islamic teachings encourage of many people living in us to move beyond addressing the basic poverty. It is often the needs of those living in poverty, to also F lens through which they promoting rights and behavioural change view the world and a as well as meeting spiritual needs Our hope way for them to make is that this analysis encourages practition- sense of life’s experiences. However, this ers, researchers and policy makers to better reality is rarely acknowledged, much less understand, explore and utilise faith as a Ajaz Ahmed Khan is Senior Microfinance invested in or harnessed by many interna- resource that has immense potential to Adviser with CARE International. He holds tional development organisations. Instead, promote better development outcomes in a PhD in Development Economics and has faith is often either ignored or perceived Muslim communities. extensive experience of living and working in a diverse range of countries in Latin America, to have a negative influence, particularly Eastern Europe, Asia and Africa. He has in relation to Muslim communities. We feel The need to adopt a more faith inclu- written widely on microfinance and on Islamic that that these views arise from a lack of sive approach is increasingly important. microfinance in particular, as well as more understanding. Muslims comprise 1.8 billion people, or generally on faith and development. approximately one-quarter of the world’s We co-edited a recently published book population. However, they comprise an entitled ‘Islam and Development: Insights even greater proportion of those catego- for Working with Muslim Communities’. rised as living in poverty, receiving human- It outlines Islamic perspectives on a range itarian aid, as refugees and residing in of development issues such as forced areas of conflict. Unsurprisingly, therefore, migration and refugees, safeguarding Muslim communities are the focus for much and child welfare, gender-based violence, of the world’s international humanitarian climate change and peacebuilding and and development assistance. According conflict resolution. We felt it was impor- to the Organisation for Co-operation and Affan Cheema is the Head of Programme tant to move beyond speaking about Economic Development (OECD) nine of the Quality at Islamic Relief Worldwide. He holds a MSc in Development Planning and has worked Islamic values and discuss applied ethics. top ten recipients of Official Development for over two decades in the humanitarian Therefore, the book includes analysis of Assistance are Muslim majority countries or and development sector, travelling extensively successful projects that have respected and those with significant Muslim populations. in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. This incorporated Islamic teachings into their Muslims are also the principal beneficiaries experience has given him a valuable insight into the poverty-related needs, demands, and design and delivery and demonstrated how of assistance provided by countries belong- rights of communities, especially those of a development organisations and Muslim ing to the Gulf Cooperation Council and Muslim faith. communities can work together to effect Muslim faith-based organisations from the meaningful and sustainable change. United Kingdom and elsewhere.

30 Stronger Together

The Muslim Charities Forum, founded in 2007, is the network of British Muslim charities dedicated to working for social good both at home in the UK and abroad.

Our role is to collectively improve our accountability, transparency and efficiency as a sector – to contribute to a more just and sustainable world. The Muslim charity sector has remarkable potential and has already done phenomenal work – it is now, more than ever before, imperative that we work together, combining skills and lifting each other up. Ultimately, our vision is to see British Muslim charities taking a central role in moving towards building a more just and sustainable world. Join the forum for visibility – influence – networking – training – knowledge exchange – representation

To request an application form or to find out more about how to become a member, call us on 0203 096 1983 or email [email protected]

Our members are united by a collective set of We Support values, rooted in our shared Islamic faith. We support MCF members to enhance their capabilities, accountability, improve efficiency and Our values are: ultimately to have a greater impact. We do this through delivering training, facilitating discussion forums, producing resources, collaborating on Accountability joint projects and celebrating successes. Effectiveness We Connect We connect our membership to share skills, knowledge, experience and to mobilize resources. Excellence Our connected membership creates space to debate issues, engage with the wider sector Humanity including policymakers, governmental bodies and research institutions. Transparency We Represent We represent and project our membership through a data-driven, self-confident, collective voice on big debates. We showcase our member’s achievements and represent a strong united voice for the British Muslim charity sector.

Our network includes

And connecting and supporting over 300 local groups across the country 6 Whitehorse Mews, 37 Westminster Bridge Road, London, SE1 7QD T: 020 3096 1983 [email protected] www.muslimcharitiesforum.org.uk Paper from responsible Registered Charity No.: 1166149 sources. www.fsc.org FSC® C001648 Cover image by S. Hermann & F. Richter from Pixabay The mark of responsible forestry