Keeping Cairo’s Commitments: Reform Charitable Giving Laws & Build Bridges to the World’s Muslims
Our guest blogger is Akil Vohra, Counsel at Muslim Advocates, who is leading the Muslim Charities Works Program aimed to strengthen the Muslim nonprofit sector and reform hurdles to charitable giving.
obamacairoPresident Obama is trying to bridge the divide that persists between the United States and Muslim communities here and abroad. During his groundbreaking speech in Cairo last June, Obama made an important commitment to American Muslims: reform charitable giving:
OBAMA: “Freedom of religion is central to the ability of peoples to live together. We must always examine the ways in which we protect it. For instance, in the United States, rules on charitable giving have made it harder for Muslims to fulfill their religious obligation. That’s why I’m committed to working with American Muslims to ensure that they can fulfill zakat.“
American Muslims have applauded the President’s Cairo commitment and are eager to see results. Easing burdens on charitable giving protects religious freedom and builds bridges of goodwill between the United States and Muslims around the world. Extensive polling of those in Muslim-majority nations shows that charity not only creates goodwill between nations but also improves Muslim perceptions of America abroad.
Tags: American Muslims, Cairo Speech, Muslim Advocates, Obama, Zakat
Short URL: http://tinyurl.com/2c72nk6
