Sad to see that nonmuslims seem to have a more transparent offering (on paper at least) for international zakat than any muslim org. Besides the process though, it’s the actor that I find notable part, and I share some of the suspicions you mention in the article.
What does the UN (HCR) get for helping muslims donate zakat with no overhead? They also seem to be paying top dollar for the #1 sponsored google result for “zakat” (out of their own pocket, if we believe their claim that 100% zakat goes to recipients.)
I hope Muslims take this creepy UN offering as a way to reflect, be critical, and perhaps offer more ehsan-ic zakat offerings.
I completely agree. If UNHCR can do it, why can't our Islamic organizations? Is it that hard/challenging to use non-zakat funds for admin expenses and have 1. a clear zakat policy 2. have a separate bank account for zakat funds and 3. give zakat funds as cash to recipients (perhaps with a few exceptions, as mentioned, for children (ie, orphans) who can't use money themselves?)
Not to criticize the work of UNHCR but they are so bloated and such a bureaucracy who spends money like they are the royal family. If you visit any country they are working in, the staff have houses or flats equipped with cooks and cleaners, they are chauffeured in bullet proof SUVs wherever they need to be, and they wine and dine in the top restaurants of the area of operation. Most of the staff are diplomats children who secured the position not based upon experience, but connections. And finally, yet most critically, they do not serve the Palestinians as they are "under UNRWAs" umbrella, who is hurting for funds and is the largest employer in occupied Palestine and the camps. UNHCR is the last place I would give my Zakat. Whoever spoke to you sold you a bill of goods. Yuck is an understatement.
I would be reluctant to hand over more control to already powerful governments that cause the refugee crisis in the first place.
I am sure people can find better options closer to their private circles who are either needy or engaged in micro charity distribution here and internationally if look hard. Perhaps increase the share of giving to them.
I prefer Country specific organizations, even better if they are domiciled in that country. Online and FX transfer apps sending money easier. This removes a large chunk of US cost.
Careful thought is required on cash handouts vs programmatic services. Cash is generally spent by male figurehead (including on smoking if not drugs), while children's and women's health and educational needs are neglected. Further, in poorer countries both education and healthcare practice are infected by malpractice and fraud. I would prefer to fund such high value service providers directly. Perhaps, the smaller the better - but there are some excellent large network service providers.
Summary, I would continue to let Muslim Charity expand and improve with better monitoring rather than surrendering to international regime of exploitation.
Great comment. Cash payments has been studied in different contexts. Give Directly is an org that does cash payments and studies what happens, the results seem positive (I realize there are others) Remember, zakat is not charity. If you want programatic benefits, that is charity.
I also worry that programs may have implied biases and prejudices (the concerns about bad men, smoking or drugs may fit there). With zakat, its more about rights. Those entitled to zakat have rights over those who must pay it as a general matter.
I think global inequity is so ridiculous that I don’t have any problem with giving zakat to refugees or the poor overseas. Local is the best option right now since zakat is being botched by international nonprofits across the board (obviously some worse than others).
I recently came across your newsletter and read all the articles.I appreciate your effort in regards to Zakat use and the overhead in many organizations.iI read the article in which you ranked the different organization by their overhead expenses.The most efficient or least expensive was Baitussalam USA.Have you had a chance to look at their operations or accounting.I would appreciate if you have any information.Yiu are doing good work.
I wrote about them briefly in March with a bunch of others, but not subject to a full analysis. Their 990 is a mess and they are not transparent, no zakat policy or accounting for example (that I was able to see). I would 100% not donate any zakat to them.
Really appreciate all the work you've done here! I guess my question to you would be - if you had say $1000 and had to donate Zakat online, how would you do it? UNHCR? IMRC? And is Islamic Relief UK demonstrably better than Islamic Relief USA (the 12.5% is a "hard" cap on expenses and other program specific expenses can't be put into the other 87.5% or am I just misunderstanding this) - so it would just be better to donate there?
Those numbers are really just how they book spending when it’s programatic zakat. So of you are feeding someone, the cost of the food is not administrative, its programatic. However there were value judgements made about purchasing, contractors and profit margins throughout every phase of delivery of aid. Of course IRW is superior to IRUSA, but that does not mean I would donate my zakat to either. I prefer hand to hand zakat. I have reservations about UNHCR even though they are the best.
I would not donate zakat online. I walk up to my masjid’s office and give them a check.
Sad to see that nonmuslims seem to have a more transparent offering (on paper at least) for international zakat than any muslim org. Besides the process though, it’s the actor that I find notable part, and I share some of the suspicions you mention in the article.
What does the UN (HCR) get for helping muslims donate zakat with no overhead? They also seem to be paying top dollar for the #1 sponsored google result for “zakat” (out of their own pocket, if we believe their claim that 100% zakat goes to recipients.)
I hope Muslims take this creepy UN offering as a way to reflect, be critical, and perhaps offer more ehsan-ic zakat offerings.
I completely agree. If UNHCR can do it, why can't our Islamic organizations? Is it that hard/challenging to use non-zakat funds for admin expenses and have 1. a clear zakat policy 2. have a separate bank account for zakat funds and 3. give zakat funds as cash to recipients (perhaps with a few exceptions, as mentioned, for children (ie, orphans) who can't use money themselves?)
Not to criticize the work of UNHCR but they are so bloated and such a bureaucracy who spends money like they are the royal family. If you visit any country they are working in, the staff have houses or flats equipped with cooks and cleaners, they are chauffeured in bullet proof SUVs wherever they need to be, and they wine and dine in the top restaurants of the area of operation. Most of the staff are diplomats children who secured the position not based upon experience, but connections. And finally, yet most critically, they do not serve the Palestinians as they are "under UNRWAs" umbrella, who is hurting for funds and is the largest employer in occupied Palestine and the camps. UNHCR is the last place I would give my Zakat. Whoever spoke to you sold you a bill of goods. Yuck is an understatement.
I would be reluctant to hand over more control to already powerful governments that cause the refugee crisis in the first place.
I am sure people can find better options closer to their private circles who are either needy or engaged in micro charity distribution here and internationally if look hard. Perhaps increase the share of giving to them.
I prefer Country specific organizations, even better if they are domiciled in that country. Online and FX transfer apps sending money easier. This removes a large chunk of US cost.
Careful thought is required on cash handouts vs programmatic services. Cash is generally spent by male figurehead (including on smoking if not drugs), while children's and women's health and educational needs are neglected. Further, in poorer countries both education and healthcare practice are infected by malpractice and fraud. I would prefer to fund such high value service providers directly. Perhaps, the smaller the better - but there are some excellent large network service providers.
Summary, I would continue to let Muslim Charity expand and improve with better monitoring rather than surrendering to international regime of exploitation.
Regards,
Great comment. Cash payments has been studied in different contexts. Give Directly is an org that does cash payments and studies what happens, the results seem positive (I realize there are others) Remember, zakat is not charity. If you want programatic benefits, that is charity.
I also worry that programs may have implied biases and prejudices (the concerns about bad men, smoking or drugs may fit there). With zakat, its more about rights. Those entitled to zakat have rights over those who must pay it as a general matter.
What are your thoughts about Obat Canada and Obat USA?
Also, may interest you:.
https://youtu.be/-6a0Yf08XYk
https://islamqa.info/en/answers/145096/he-works-in-a-foreign-country-and-sends-his-zakaah-to-his-homeland
https://islamqa.org/hanafi/seekersguidance-hanafi/86171/zakat-giving-locally-vs-abroad/
National Zakat Foundation:
https://fb.watch/jQP7tSNvgc/?mibextid=Nif5oz
Looks good, they don’t appear to accept zakat?
I think global inequity is so ridiculous that I don’t have any problem with giving zakat to refugees or the poor overseas. Local is the best option right now since zakat is being botched by international nonprofits across the board (obviously some worse than others).
I recently came across your newsletter and read all the articles.I appreciate your effort in regards to Zakat use and the overhead in many organizations.iI read the article in which you ranked the different organization by their overhead expenses.The most efficient or least expensive was Baitussalam USA.Have you had a chance to look at their operations or accounting.I would appreciate if you have any information.Yiu are doing good work.
Have you ever critiqued Helping Hand For Relief & Development? Curious about your thoughts on them
I wrote about them briefly in March with a bunch of others, but not subject to a full analysis. Their 990 is a mess and they are not transparent, no zakat policy or accounting for example (that I was able to see). I would 100% not donate any zakat to them.
Really appreciate all the work you've done here! I guess my question to you would be - if you had say $1000 and had to donate Zakat online, how would you do it? UNHCR? IMRC? And is Islamic Relief UK demonstrably better than Islamic Relief USA (the 12.5% is a "hard" cap on expenses and other program specific expenses can't be put into the other 87.5% or am I just misunderstanding this) - so it would just be better to donate there?
Those numbers are really just how they book spending when it’s programatic zakat. So of you are feeding someone, the cost of the food is not administrative, its programatic. However there were value judgements made about purchasing, contractors and profit margins throughout every phase of delivery of aid. Of course IRW is superior to IRUSA, but that does not mean I would donate my zakat to either. I prefer hand to hand zakat. I have reservations about UNHCR even though they are the best.
I would not donate zakat online. I walk up to my masjid’s office and give them a check.
if you have time, would love your thoughts on these two charities...
TCF (TCF USA)
Friends of Indus Hospital