SRINAGAR: The British Muslims are Europe’s generous givers as far as charity goes. A survey report made public early this year said that British Muslims give nearly one billion pounds a year, which is more than Rs 10,000 crores.

A research report published by the London-based think tank, the Ayaan Institute, reports that UK Muslim humanitarian charities raised £708M for causes in 2020. It also estimates that this amount, combined with Muslim giving to UK charitable causes (including 2752 mosques and prayer venues), means UK Muslims generously give at least £1Bn a year to charity, projected to reach £4Bn by 2050.

Ramzan, the Muslim month of fasting, is a major contributor to charity across Europe and especially in the UK. A report said UK Muslims give on average more than £130 million to charity this month.

The donations are so hugely expected that the Charity Commission for England and Wales issued an advisory. “Ramadan is a time of huge generosity among British Muslims, and the recent earthquake in Turkey and Syria, as well as the ongoing impact of the cost-of-living crisis, make it especially important that their charitable contributions support good causes through registered charities. Regulators are therefore issuing advice to remind British Muslims to make checks, ensuring their donations reach registered charities.”

Early March, William and Catherine, the prince and princess of Wales, showered praises on British Muslims for raising record funds to aid victims of the earthquakes that struck Turkey and Syria. The royals, with the princess wearing a headscarf, visited the Hayes Muslim Centre to thank volunteers who raised 30000 pounds within a few hours. Late last year, they raised more than 13 million pounds for flood-devastated Pakistan.

Part of the charity goes to the relief and rehabilitation of refugees across the world. A report by Brown University in the United States said that around 37 million people (3.70 crore), mostly Muslims, have become refugees or displaced since the start of the War on Terror in 2001.

This year, local issues will remain the key pressure on Muslim charities in the UK. Islamic Relief, the London-based major Muslim charity said that an estimated 16 lakh British Muslims have landed in poverty and deprivation because of the cost-of-living crisis. This makes up almost half of the British Muslim population.

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