[27 July 2012] International Muslim charity organizations in today world - Islam And Life - English Muslims regard charitable giving as an important religious duty in their lives; many religious scholars place giving to charity alongside praying to God. This constitutes one of five Islam's pillars called zakah, an Arabic word for "purification". According to one estimate, citizens of Muslim countries give 10 percent of their income to charitable causes. However the Muslim charitable deeds lack a visible presence in the world. This could be mainly because Muslims are not allowed to advertise their charitable works. It is more virtues according to their belief to give charities anonymously. In recent years some large Muslim charities have entered the international arena. For example after the Boxing Day tsunami of 2004 and the earthquake in Kashmir, 3 major Islamic charities in Britain offered 1.7 million pound of emergency relief. (Muslim Aids, Muslim Hands and Islamic Relief) The Muslim presence in the world of international, modern, professional charity was not always welcomed, most notably those involved in giving aids to the people of Palestine. This week's Islam and Life asks: How important is the role of international Muslim charity organizations in today's world? Show Less >>