Religious Freedom at the Core of Civil Liberties

Defending American Muslim zakat money is not simply a Muslim issue but a civil right based on the constitution. The first amendment in the bill of rights about religious freedom and civil rights states "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;...". It seems odd that some people are choosing to ignore the amendment that is one of the foundations of civil rights in the United States and deny American Muslims the right to fulfill one of the basic pillars of Islam, which is zakat or almsgiving. 

At a major conference sponsored by the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), American Muslims came together to discuss their right to engage in charitable giving with the treasury department. The Treasury Department's Juan Zarate wanted to ensure the audience that American values and Islamic mandates can coexist and are similar by nature. Zarate stated in his testimony at ISNA that "the act of charity is sacred in Islam, and it is sacred in American culture."

In December 2001, the assets of three major American Muslim relief organizations, Holy Land Foundation, Global Relief Foundation and Benevolence International had their assets frozen on suspicion of financing terrorism. No evidence has been provided to donors of these organizations that they were financing terrorism. In the meantime, American Muslims had been waiting to see their money go somewhere other then the pockets of high priced attorneys defending the case. Two particular Zionist attorneys Nathan Lewin and David J. Strachman have filed lawsuits to seek the frozen zakat money to give to victims of suicide bombing in Israel, the money that was intended to help the poor and destitute, victims of war and famish in the Muslim world. They are seeking the money that American Muslims have intended to give as part of their religious obligation. 

Since American Muslim religious rights have been violated and attempts have been made to disable the system of zakat giving, American Muslim organizations such as the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) have been working hard to defend their God given right to help the poor and needy.

In an initiative led by Salam Al-Marayati, Executive Director of MPAC, the Treasury Department agreed to release frozen money to relief work to be used how it was intended. The Holy Land Foundation followed through on the Treasury Department's promise and filed for a license to give $50,000 of their frozen assets to be given to the Palestine Children's fund. This is a landmark in the Muslim charities case because it ensures American Muslims that their money, their religion and their values are not under attack but it is actually terrorism that the U.S. government is looking to combat.

American Muslims need to keep working hard and paying attention to the details of where money goes once it leaves their hands. American and Islamic values can intertwine but, there are special interest organizations and lawyers who choose to corrupt the United States system. Unfortunately at times they do get away with their fair share of unethical activity. God-willing, if the rights steps are taken for American Muslims to get involved with the United States political system to change it for the better, this basic human, civil and religious right will never be threatened again. American Muslims contribute significantly to the richness in culture and diversity in the United States and use the opportunities of freedom and success to help needy and poor in other countries. After all, the opportunity to help people in need has not only become an option in the United States but a responsibility both as Muslims and people who realize that it is important to give back from the success achieved in our country. There is no lawyer, or special interest group that will take away our motivation to exercise one of the most basic civil rights enshrined in our constitution and donate generously.

Nahal Ameri is the Community Relations Coordinator of the Muslim Public Affairs Council