Zakat in the UK: Islamic Giving, Citizenship and Government Policy

Zakat (obligatory alms) as one of the five pillars of Islam is estimated to run into the £billions annually worldwide. In 2016, the British Muslim community is thought to have given record amounts during the holy month of Ramadan: the month zakat is predominantly given. Despite the religious and moral imperative to distribute wealth in Islam, currently the finances of charity are deemed to be politically ambiguous. Amendments to the British regulator the Charity Commission broadened the regulatory powers in October 2014 and Counter-terrorism initiatives indicating charities in general to be domains of ‘vulnerability’ have been met with wide criticisms. This paper looks at the ways that Islamic charitable giving, particularly zakat, can indicate active citizenship and the strengthening of community ties within the U.K. The paper aims to take seriously the critiques given for recent policy regarding charitable institutions generally while outlining mutually beneficial procedures and objectives that if understood correctly can enhance rather than undermine social cohesion in a multicultural Britain.