Muslim Charities Seek US Seal of Approval

Better Business Bureau will vet groups to encourage donors

By Nick McMaster, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 13, 2008 5:01 PM CDT

(Newser) – Muslim charities will voluntarily open up their books to the Better Business Bureau in the hopes of gettiing donors to reach for their wallets again, the Wall Street Journal reports. A coalition of groups requested the BBB's seal of approval to counter the stigma felt since the Sept. 11 attacks. Donations to Muslim charities in the US have withered since the Treasury Department alleged in 2001 that some were funding terrorism.

Though none have brought convictions, the six investigations into Muslim charities have had “a chilling effect that has affected donors and volunteers," says the President of Muslim Advocates. Donors are reluctant to give if they may later be linked to terrorism, even inadvertently, and the rigorous vetting process is designed to allay those fears.

[Images (2)]

[Quotes (1)]

Brenda Aouda holds a sign showing support for the Holy Land Foundation that federal officials say funneled millions of dollars to Hamas, Tuesday, July 24, 2007 in Dallas. (AP Photo/Donna McWilliam)

John Wolf, left, and Hadi Jawad hold signs supporting the Holy Land Foundation defendants while standing outside the federal courthouse in downtown Dallas, Texas, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2007. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

People don't want to be affiliated or be drawn into an area where there may be questions raised as to where the funds are used. - Inayat Malik, Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Holder: No 'Credible Threats' for 9/11

Attorney general says government will remain watchful

(NEWSER) - For years each Sept. 11 brought warnings of heightened terrorist threats on the grim anniversary. But, thankfully, not this year. US Attorney General Eric Holder said yesterday that there have been no credible threats of terrorism against the US for next week, reports Reuters . "We don't have any credible, specific allegations of activity or threats of any kind of activity on Sept. 11," said Holder. Nevertheless, he added: "We are being vigilant with regard to what is out there. We are prepared to respond to anything that we see." More»

9/11 Shows Psychology's Shortcomings

Report gives humbling assessment of therapists' work

(NEWSER) - Psychologists rushing to Ground Zero on September 11 might have done more harm than good. Experts overestimated how many people—including firefighters and police who responded—would experience stress for a prolonged period following the disaster, according to a report coming out in American Psychologist. Many also might have been too quick to diagnose Post Traumatic Stress Disorder to those watching on TV, says the New York Times . More»

WikiLeaks Reveals al-Qaeda Bigwigs' Location on 9/11

Docs unveil bin Laden hideouts, tension within group

(NEWSER) - On 9/11, the bulk of al-Qaeda’s leadership was gathered in a single place: Karachi, Pakistan. One key figure was in a hospital following a tonsillectomy; another was preparing for a biological weapons program; and Khalid Sheikh Mohammed was with other leaders in a safe house, watching the attacks on TV, the Washington Post reports. Within 24 hours, they returned to Afghanistan to brace for war, WikiLeaks documents show. Once there, Osama bin Laden told Arab fighters “to defend Afghanistan against the infidel invaders." More»

Muslim Rep Breaks Down at King Hearing

Peter King defiant, says radical Islam must be investigated

(NEWSER) - Peter King’s hearings on the radicalization of American Muslims got off to an emotional start today, when Rep. Keith Ellison—the first Muslim American elected to Congress—broke down in recounting the story of a Muslim paramedic who died while responding to the 9/11 attacks and was later, according to Ellison, vilified for his faith. “Mohammed Selman Hamdani was a fellow American who gave his life for other Americans,” Ellison declared, voice quaking with repressed tears. “His life should not be identified as just a member of a religion.” More»

Bigoted Islam Hearings Ditch GOP Values

Peter King's prejudiced stance embraced by party, writes Peter Beinart

(NEWSER) - The upcoming House hearings on American Muslim terrorists showcase a bigotry that has seeped through the GOP, writes Peter Beinart for the Daily Beast . Rep. Peter King “isn’t holding hearings on domestic terrorism; he’s holding hearings on domestic terrorism by one religious group,” and that group is not even responsible for most US terrorism, writes Beinart, pointing to the likes of Timothy McVeigh and Jared Lee Loughner. The fact is that King’s “anti-terror credentials are spotty”—he long sympathized with the Irish Republican Army, for example—while his “anti-Muslim credentials are excellent.” More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Muslim Charities Seek US Seal of Approval