Muslim Charities Forum

This workshop is being held to help Muslim-led Charities improve their support to those in need. Access to the public, brand awareness and trust are essential in making charities a success. Muslim-led charities have come under suspicion and scrutiny in recent times as to where the funds go and organisations that Muslim-led charities are affiliated with.

The internet has revolutionised the way charities communicate with donors. A charity’s website, social networking and online video has made sharing work in the field and donating easier and also attracts a worldwide audience rather than a local or nationwide audience.

This workshop will be looking at how different tools can help charities communicate and fundraise effectively.

For more info, contact our secretariat at info@muslimcharitiesforum.org.uk.

The idea of this workshop came to light after consultations made between the Muslim Charities Forum with several of its members. Muslim led Charities based in the United Kingdom have had difficulties to access institutional funds in the past due to the lack of knowledge about it.

The first aim of this workshop is to build stronger working relationships and collaboration between Institutional Donors and UK based Muslim led NGOs as well as promote the understanding of the working practices of Institutional Donors for the Muslim Charitable Sector.

The second aim of this workshop is also to promote partnerships with other NGOs working in the field of relief, development and humanitarian aid.

The workshop will concentrate on both European and DFID Funding Schemes and will discuss about the experiences of various organisations, such as CAFOD and Oxfam, in working with Muslim organisations.

The Muslim Charities Forum is holding a workshop on Zakat with various representatives of the UK based Muslim Led NGO.

Zakat is one of the 5 pillars of Islam according to which each Muslim has to give a percentage of his income to charity. It serves principally as a contribution to the poor and deprived people in the world.

The idea is to set up a working group on Zakat. This group will meet regularly to discuss about the approaches of the different schools of thoughts to the issue of Zakat.

Many Muslim led NGOs have shown interest in deepening this subject. Given the importance of Zakat for the Muslim Charitable sector, we thought that the best option would be to set up a Zakat Group that would meet regularly every 3 months to share ideas and debate about the:

• the means of Islamic Charitabe giving (al sadaqa, al nadr, al waqf...)
• the definition of Al Fuqara (the poor) and Al Masakeen (the needy)
• the expenditures on the 8 beneficiaries of Zakat
• the administrative costs of Zakat

The first meeting should be held on the 4th of November 2009 in London since many organisations are already based in London.