This Ramadan, include CAIR in your Zakat plans
“Charities are (meant) only for the poor and the needy, and those who are charged with collecting them, and those whose hearts are to be won over, and for the freeing of human beings from bondage, and (for) those who are overburdened with debts, and (for those who strive) in Allah’s cause (fi sabili-llah), and (for) the way-farer: (this is) an ordinance from Allah—and Allah is All-Knowing and All-Wise” (At-Tawbah:60)
Dear Friends,
As I look forward to welcoming Ramadan this evening, I find myself drawn back to where this sacred holiday found us last year. One year ago, our community was in profound crisis. We looked on in horror and helplessness as Israel perpetuated war crimes against our fellow Muslims in Gaza, indiscriminately murdering men, women, and children even as they fled. Today, thank God, we have a temporary and fragile ceasefire. But still we worry: will this tenuous agreement hold? And locally will the defamation and hate mongering against Muslims continue to rise? And perhaps most importantly, how can we, as American Muslims, help counter all this?
In fact, Ramadan is exactly the right time to ask ourselves this question. One of the essential values of the holy month is generosity towards our ummah. As Muslims, we are called upon to give Zakat, and to prioritize forms of giving that fulfill our communal obligation (fard kifayah) to protect the right to practice Islam and defend people experiencing unjust oppression.
At CAIR-Philadelphia, we protect, defend, and celebrate our Muslim communities every day, throughout the year. Our legal team helps our community members fight for their civil rights and well-being. Our civic engagement programs build power for Muslims across Pennsylvania and ensure our voices are heard and respected by our elected officials. And our youth leadership programs foster the next generation of proud Muslim community leaders.
Our work qualifies as fi-sabili-llah, one of the eight Zakat-eligible categories in the Quran. That’s why Islamic scholars like Sheikh Ahmad Kutty have determined that it is “not only permissible, rather it is also imperative” to give Zakat to organizations like CAIR during Ramadan.
The past year has brought challenges none of us could ever have imagined. And the year ahead will surely bring more. CAIR-Philadelphia’s ability to generously contribute to our communities’ well-being relies on the generosity of community members like you. Can we count on you to join us in ensuring that our Muslim American communities continue to be safe, seen, and valued in 2025?
JAK,
Dr. Ahmet Tekelioglu, Executive Director
CAIR-Philadelphia
