Muslims plead for charity list, Aref Assaf, Bergen Record, October 31,
2004
We demand that the U.S. government publish the list of banned organizations to
which we risk criminal action if we donate money to. It is a case of a classic
double jeopardy. Our community wants to follow the laws of the land yet our
government has put the burden of discovering what is legal or forbidden on the
shoulders of the citizens.
Imagine if, for example, a police officer gives you a speeding ticket and when
you ask what speed were you driving and what the posted sped limit was, the
police officer refuses to answer. When you take the matter to the judge, he,
too, sides with the officer and doubles your fine!
Imagine also if we were to shut down the Red Cross because it has been shown
that money or services rendered by them to a needy Afghan child whose father was
a member of the Taliban. Is it fair, consequently, to close down and freeze the
assets of the Red Cross? Moreover, would it be fair for the government to jail
or punish me for having donated money to that noble organization?
The effect of this policy has rendered many legitimate Muslim charities on the
verge of bankruptcy as donations from Muslims have but vanished. It is also a
form of religious discrimination to prevent Muslims from freely fulfilling a
basic tenet of their religion, alms giving, especially during the holy month
Ramadan.
While we are not questioning the merits of the government's characterization of
some Muslims charities as supporters of terrorism, we do believe the government
has access to the names, locations or specific work of most, if not all, illegal
and terrorist-related organizations.
If it is illegal to give money to such groups, then it is the burden of the
government to publish and make available such a list.
Aref Assaf, |
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