Transcript Muslim Civil Society in the US: Overcoming Islamophobia

Muslim Civil Society in the US:
Overcoming Islamophobia
through Charity, Advocacy and
Education
U.S. Muslim Charities and the War on
Terror: A Decade in Review
Update to the 2006 OMB Watch
Report, Muslim Charities and
the War on Terror. It examines:
• The Muslim charities shut down
under executive order and the
litigation surrounding the cases
• Excessive government scrutiny
and surveillance of American
Muslims
• Response from civil society
organizations
The Problem
• Shut-Down Charities
– Al-Haramain Islamic Foundation
– Benevolence International Foundation
– Global Relief Foundation
– Goodwill Charitable Organization Inc.
– Holy Land Foundation
– Islamic American Relief Agency
– KindHearts for Charitable Humanitarian Development
Inc.
The Problem
• Government investigations
– Islamic Society of North America (ISNA)
– Kinder USA
– Life for Relief and Development
• Surveillance of Muslim Communities
– FBI Infiltration of Mosques
– NYPD Surveillance of Community Groups
The Response
• Charities continue to provide aid
– Life for Relief and Development
– Islamic Relief USA
– Zakat Foundation of America
– Many others…
The Response
• Accreditation Programs and Due Diligence
– Muslim Advocates
• Dialogue and Education Initiatives
– Muslim Public Affairs Council/ISNA building
bridges with law enforcement
– Dispelling stereotypes during Peter King’s
“Radical Islam” congressional hearings