(RNS1-SEPT09) Farhana Khera is the executive director of San Francisco-based Muslim Advocates, an organization dedicated, in part, to helping Muslim charities gain accreditation and the public's trust. For use with RNS-10-MINUTES, transmitted Sept. 9, 2009. Religion News Service photo courtesy Farhana Khera.
September 9, 2009
NEWS FEATURE
10 minutes with … Farhana Khera
By Kristen May
WASHINGTON—Giving to charity, or zakat, is one of Islam’s five pillars, but never more so than during Ramadan, when many Muslims make almsgiving a central part of observing the holy month.
Yet ever since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, U.S. Muslim groups have chaffed under increased scrutiny after Washington tried to ensure donations were not being funneled to terrorist groups.
In his landmark speech to the Muslim world in Cairo last June, President Obama said the post-9/11 restrictions made it too difficult for Muslims to meet their religious obligations, and said he was “committed to working with American Muslims to ensure that they can fulfill zakat.”
Farhana Khera is the executive director of San Francisco-based Muslim Advocates, an organization dedicated, in part, to help Muslim charities gain accreditation and the public’s trust.
Some answers have been edited for length and clarity.
Q: What is the mission of Muslim Advocates?
A: Muslim Advocates is a national legal advice and legal education organization for equality, liberty, and justice guaranteed for all, regardless of faith. The organization was started four years ago by a group of Muslim American lawyers who came together after 9/11 because there was a need for the Muslim community to have a legal voice. It was our time to step forward and do our part to protect the rights of religious freedom that all Americans should enjoy and share in.
Q: How important is charity within Islam, especially during Ramadan?
A: Charity is a religious obligation as well as a civic responsibility for American Muslims, as for many people of faith and goodwill. During Ramadan especially, American Muslims make important decisions regarding civic duties and their charitable donations.
Q: Ever since the 9/11 attacks, Islamic charities have had a tough time. What are the major problems they’ve come up against?
A: Since 9/11, the government has made it more confusing for charities, with very confusing laws and regulations. We recognize that there are steps that the American Muslim community can take to restore donor confidence, like having greater public transparency. There are ways to promote internal accountability and accountability to the public.
Q: Your organization offers a Muslim Charities Accreditation Program. Tell me about that.
A: The program offers a series of seminars for Muslim leaders, as well as technical assistance and resource materials. We educate the charities about the 20 standards of the Better Business Bureau, whose standards go above and beyond the government’s requirements. We are providing this as a free service to the community. A lot of charities—and this is not unique in the Muslim community—are started by people who are passionate about a cause, but they might not have the necessary legal or economic understanding.
Q: What does this program mean for the average American Muslim during Ramadan?
A: This program evolved because we saw a need from the charity side, but also from donors. Donors were saying “Hey, can you address this issue?” I think folks are concerned, first off, where their charity funds are actually going. Secondly, they are worried that if they donate to a charity that the government later searches, will they be implicated as well.
Q: President Obama has spoken out about making it easier for Muslims to give to charity. Have you seen any changes or any movement towards change in policies of this kind?
A: Since that comment in June, his advocacy has not only opened up conversation, but it was refreshing. They do seem to be looking at these problems anew. We’d been engaging with the Treasury Department during the previous administration, but there’s been a change in the tone.
Q: What do you hope to see by Ramadan next year?
A: Our hope is that we will continue to get support and get more Muslim charities and mosques involved. We have already exceeded expectations. As word spreads about the program, we hope that more and more people will come forward.
(0) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink