Charity Commission issues advice on supporting genuine registered charities.
People in Birmingham are being encouraged to keep giving generously to registered charities this Ramadan.
The Muslim Charities Forum has estimated that British Muslims donate around £100 million during Ramadan and research suggests that disaster relief, children and education are the top three causes to benefit from the practice of zakat (charitable giving).
As Muslims in Birmingham entered Ramadan on Friday, the Charity Commission has launched a safer giving campaign with top tips for supporting genuine charity appeals (see below). The Commission says there are simple steps people in Birmingham can take to take to check before they give to ensure their zakat goes where it is intended this Ramadan.
Nick Donaldson, Head of Faith Charities Engagement at the Charity Commission, said: “All year round, and especially at Ramadan, the generosity of Muslims in Birmingham is amazing – your money is making a huge difference to your communities and to causes around the world. We want to help you to continue giving safely, confident that your donations are going to those who need them most. Check before you give by going to gov.uk/find-charity-information to make sure that your zakat gets to the people you want to help.”
Monowara Gani, Director of Operations at the Muslim Charities Forum added: “We know that Muslims in Birmingham take their zakat duties very seriously and are enormously generous in their charitable giving, especially at Ramadan. Around £100 million is donated each year during Ramadan across Britain. We at MCF see first-hand the difference that generosity makes. That’s why we are endorsing the Commission’s campaign and encouraging Muslims in Birmingham to make simple checks to ensure you are giving to a genuine registered charity and that your zakat is going where it is intended.”
– Check before you give – Charity Commission advice:
– Check for a charity registration number. You can verify this on the online register of charities
– Be more cautious about people collecting for general charitable causes, such as ‘for sick children’ – make sure you’re giving to a genuine registered charity
– When approached by collectors, check whether they are wearing a proper ID badge and that any collection tin is sealed and undamaged
– If in doubt, ask the collector for more information – a genuine fundraiser should be happy to answer questions and explain more about the work of the charity
– Never feel under pressure by a fundraiser into making a donation immediately
– Be careful when responding to emails or clicking links within them. Don’t click-through from suspicious-looking emails. If you want to donate online, type in the charity’s website address from your homepage.