The Charity Commission has launched its annual safer giving campaign to help British Muslims continue giving generously to registered charities this Ramadan.

As Muslims in the UK enter Ramadan today (Friday 26 May), the Charity Commission says there are simple steps people can take to check before they give, to ensure their zakat goes where it is intended this Ramadan.

The Muslim Charities Forum has estimated that Muslims across Britain 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).

The Charity Commission have produced a video encouraging people to check before they give. It shows how they can make sure their generosity helps those in need by giving to genuine, registered charities.

Ramadan video

Nick Donaldson, Head of Faith Charities Engagement at the Charity Commission said:

All year round, and especially at Ramadan, the generosity of British is Muslims amazing – your money is having a massive impact in your communities and for causes around the world.

We want to help you to continue giving safely, confident that your donation is going to those who need it most. Check before you give by going to gov.uk/find-charity-information and make sure that your zakat gets to the people you want to help.

Monowara Gani, Director of Operations at the Muslim Charities Forum said:

We know that Muslims in Britain take their zakat duties very seriously and are enormously generous in their charitable giving, especially at Ramadan. Around £100m 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 to check before they give to ensure you are giving to a genuine registered charity and that your zakat is going where it is intended.

The Commission’s ongoing safer giving campaign encourages people giving at key times of the year, such as Christmas, Ramadan, during emergencies and humanitarian crises, to make sure their donations go to registered charities.

Check before you give – Charity Commission advice:

• before giving, check for a charity registration number. You can verify this at gov.uk/find-charity-information
• 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 internet browser

Ends.

PR 43/17

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Notes to editors

1. See research published in 2014 by social enterprise Cause4.
2. The Commission launched its first Ramadan-specific campaign in 2011.
3. The Charity Commission is the independent regulator of charities in England and Wales. To find out about our work, see our annual report.
4. For more information about giving safely, visit the Charity Commission page on GOV.UK.
5. Those concerned that they may have been targeted by a fundraising scam should report it to Action Fraud

2014 – Present FCO, Deputy Director, Head of Overseas Security 2013 – 2014 Mogadishu, Deputy Head of Mission 2010 – 2013 Special Political Adviser to UN Special Representative for Somalia 2007 – 2009 FCO, Head, South Asia Group 2004 – 2007 FCO, Deputy Head, Drugs and International Crime Department 2003 – 2004 FCO, Head of Western Mediterranean Section, EU Directorate 2002 – 2003 Kabul, Deputy Head of Mission 2001 – 2002 FCO, Afghanistan Unit, Head of Political Section 1997 – 2000 Islamabad, Head of Chancery 1995 – 1997 FCO, Head of Nuclear Policy Section, Non-Proliferation Department 1993 – 1995 FCO, Supernumerary, South-East Asia Department 1993 Joined Foreign and Commonwealth Office

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