US Muslims seek to remove the fear and uncertainty from their
charitable activities.

Go to the Masjid and ask for donations and you will find that the Muslims are some of the most generous people in America. The Prophet Muhammad taught that one of the very pillars of Islam is 'Zakat',  a yearly poor-due leveied on more wealthy believers. However within that crowd of givers you will find more and more who wish to give anonymously. Some asking "can you accept cash?" While some may be bashfull and seek to purify themselves from being viewed as ostentatious, some are worried that they will be accused by the government of financing terror.

Since 9/11 a cloud of suspicion has been cast over Islamic Charities. Since 2001, 7 Islamic Charities have been closed and had millions of dollars of their assets frozen. Even though only one Islamic Charity has been convicted of actually funding groups that may have engaged in Military action abroad (such as the war in Chechnya), other groups have had their doors closed even after no criminal activity was discovered. In some instances loyal donors were questioned by the FBI and made to feel that prosecution was emenent. This has in turn caused American Muslims to be fearful to give to Islamic charities and in some cases to stop giving at all.

There are many of unanswered questions regarding any guidlines that the State Dept. wants Islamic charities to follow, or protective measures donors can take to prevent puting themselves at risk. Recently Muslims have become increasingly more vocal in demanding straight talk and action from the government so that the fear and uncertainty regarding their charity can be removed.

Ibrahim Warde, Adjunct Profession of International Business at Tufts University has written the book "The Price of Fear: The truth behind Bush's Financial War on Terror. It outlines that much of rash actions done post 9/11 to Muslim Charities proved little guilt and got little results. Muslim groups such as ISNA and the Council on American Islamic Relations have had talks with key government officials hoping to put steam behind efforts to introduce legislation that will bring due-process  and curb the unrestricted powers that current terror financing policies provide. Also, the ACLU has recently released a comprehensive report entitled, Blocking Faith, Freezing Charity, documenting the consequence of U.S. government actions on American Muslims' exercise of their right to profess and practice their religion through charitable giving. The ACLU's research shows that U.S. terrorism financing policies and practices are seriously undermining American Muslims' protected constitutional liberties and violating their fundamental human rights to freedom of religion, freedom of association, and freedom from discrimination.

These and many other efforts by Muslim individuals are bringing a much deserved eye of attention to the issue of Muslim Charities. As another Ramadan season of giving is upon us, many American Muslims are hopefull of soon being able to give freely to needy Muslims at home and abroad without fear.

Related: Hear Prof. Ibrahim Warde discuss Bush financial policies in war on Terror.