Andy9o8 3 #1 June 18, 2009 http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/6/16/743087/-Restore-Religious-Freedom-for-Charitable-Donors QuoteRestore Religious Freedom for Charitable Donors Tue Jun 16, 2009 at 07:39:01 AM PDT By Jennifer Turner, Human Rights Researcher, ACLU Human Rights Program U.S. policies that purport to address terrorism financing are seriously undermining the Constitution's fundamental rights to freedom of religion, freedom of association, and freedom from discrimination. This past year, I traveled from Michigan to Texas to interview American Muslims about how terrorism finance laws interfere with their rights to practice their religion. American Muslim donors told me how the closure of some of the largest American Muslim charities in the country, widespread law enforcement interviews of Muslim donors about their donations, and surveillance of donations at mosques without suspicion, is creating a climate of fear that prevents them from making charitable donations. Terrorism financing laws leave many innocent Americans unable to fulfill a central tenet of their religion: charitable giving, or Zakat, one of the five pillars of Islam and a religious obligation for all observant Muslims. In a new report released today, the ACLU Human Rights Program documents the chilling effects of terrorism financing policies on American Muslims' practice of their religion through charitable giving. For example, one American Muslim quoted in the report (PDF) told me, "I'm so scared to give charitably. They might come after me. I think when I'm giving, will they come after me? Will they put me on their hit list? There is a constant worry in the back of my mind. I fear giving more would put me on the hit list, and the government will say there is a linkage between me and the charity…. Because everything is under scrutiny, I am not able to fulfill my religious obligation to give — because I am just afraid. It affects my religious obligation to give. I am not following my faith, I'm not practicing my religion as I should. I'm like a prisoner, I can't practice my religion the way I want to — there's no freedom in that respect." From Michigan to Texas, American Muslims told me that they are unable to fully practice their faith, and unable to support needy people both at home and overseas for fear that they could be interrogated by the FBI, dragged into court, lose their citizenship, or even prosecuted for donations to entirely legal Muslim charities that are registered with the IRS. While charitable giving is an important part of all major religions — Christians practice tithing, for instance — terrorism finance laws unfairly and disproportionately target Muslim giving. In recent remarks in Cairo, President Obama recognized that American Muslims face barriers to practicing their religion, noting, "In the United States, rules on charitable giving have made it harder for Muslims to fulfill their religious obligation." The continued intimidation of American Muslim donors tarnishes America's reputation as a beacon of religious freedom. In his speech in Cairo, President Obama not only acknowledged problems with the current laws, but went further, calling for and committing to change these policies and enhance protections for charitable giving. The ACLU applauds the President's commitment and stands ready to work with him for change. Post-9/11 policies have created a climate of fear that prevents Muslims from practicing their religion, and unless the Obama administration takes action, this legacy of the Bush administration will persist. Religious freedom is a fundamental American value to be protected and honored. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
futuredivot 0 #2 June 18, 2009 From the same site http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/5/27/736092/-Muslim-charity-founders-convicted-of-funding-terrorism http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A18257-2004Jul27.html http://www.shariahfinancewatch.org/blog/category/islamic-charities/You are only as strong as the prey you devour Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rickjump1 0 #3 June 18, 2009 This is only one side of the story, but it should create a lot of business for lawyers. Another campaign promise BHO has to cough up; wonder what tiny percentage came here with the sole intent to support jihad. Do you think this is another crack in the door toward sharia law. Any ideas?Do your part for global warming: ban beans and hold all popcorn farts. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy9o8 3 #4 June 18, 2009 Quoteit should create a lot of business for lawyers. Hot diggity! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VTmotoMike08 0 #5 June 18, 2009 The only logical choice is to investigate all the Christians who give to pro-life charities too. Who knows how many of them are financing weapons to knock off abortion Docs. Then we can discriminate against everyone equally. For everyone who could not tell, the above was a complete joke. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,162 #6 June 18, 2009 You know what this means - Muslims hate charities! No wonder they're discriminated against. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TomAiello 26 #7 June 18, 2009 QuoteYou know what this means - Muslims hate charities! No wonder they're discriminated against. No, no, no. Charities hate Muslims!-- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,162 #8 June 18, 2009 >Charities hate Muslims! Well, and no wonder! They never donate to 'em. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rookie120 0 #9 June 18, 2009 Quote Well, and no wonder! They never donate to 'em. Thanks for the laugh on that one!If you find yourself in a fair fight, your tactics suck! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #10 June 18, 2009 Quote "I'm so scared to give charitably. They might come after me. I think when I'm giving, will they come after me? Will they put me on their hit list? There is a constant worry in the back of my mind. I fear giving more would put me on the hit list, and the government will say there is a linkage between me and the charity…. So is there any actual evidence? I've read similar quotes from whackos about black UN helicopters. And just because it has the name Muslim in it doesn't mean it's a viable charity. Check Your Black Muslim Bakery (Oakland, CA) for an example. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shropshire 0 #11 June 18, 2009 Quite... I would guess that most people donate annonomously (only people who need to be seen to be giving would do otherwise) - (.)Y(.) Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TomAiello 26 #12 June 18, 2009 Quote Quite... I would guess that most people donate annonomously (only people who need to be seen to be giving would do otherwise) - Hard to get the tax deduction on an anonymous donation.-- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
