Understanding Islamic Charities

Understanding Islamic Charities is a book project that the Middle East Program took on in 2007. The book explores the variety of roles that Muslim charities play in different countries, their interactions with national and international institutions, and the boundaries and connections between their philanthropic roles and their political impacts.

Philanthropy is a vital lens through which to examine dynamics in the Muslim world because it harnesses enormous material and human resources as well as organizational capacity. Many in the West view Muslim philanthropic enterprises with considerable skepticism because of accusations of material support for, or condoning of, acts of violence against civilians. Drawing on CSIS’s regional and functional expertise, Understanding Islamic Charities explores the varieties of roles that Muslim charities play in different countries, their interactions with national and international institutions, and the boundaries and connections between their philanthropic roles and their political impacts.

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