These 4 Reputable Charities and Zakat Organizations Aid Palestine Right Now
With the last few nights of Ramadan here, we all know we want to catch the blessed night of Laylatul Qadr, as well as maximize the rest of this beloved month. Many of us have been holding our financial fire due to the rising cost of living to focus on the last 10 nights, myself among them. While I know it is important to donate locally, it is of great importance to me to donate to charities and Zakat organizations in the world in dire need of our aid, and Palestine is at the top of all of our lists. However, there is a significant challenge in knowing who to donate to.
It is no secret that there are always people who try to capitalize on crises, as Forbes, other money business companies, and the FBI have widely reported, and create spurious campaigns. We know that there are charities and Zakat organizations that spend much of the money they receive on administrative overhead costs and that most of the money donated never leaves their offices. At the same time, doing nothing to help is not an option. So who can we trust?
With all that in mind, Muslim Girl decided to put out a quick list of some reputable places to give charity with a higher degree of certainty that our charity will be most able to reach the people we so much want to help.
1. Baitulmaal
Baitulmaal is a reputable organization in which two of our sheroes, Linda Sarsour and Zahra Billoo have actually been on the ground within Egypt in their efforts to provide aid to Gaza. The organization is providing food aid, water stations, as well as hygiene kits for women to have dignity packages to help them, and tents.
One of the things many people look for in deciding who to trust, given the impossibility of verifying the credibility of an organization, is whether or not reputable community members have thrown their weight behind an agency. There are videos of the significant resources that Baitulmaal has sent and is continuing to send directly into Gaza and they are a solid and verified place to give aid.
2. Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF)
Established in 1991, PCRF has a 4-star rating with the Charity Navigator and has been on the ground for over three decades, so they are not newcomers to this work. They also accept Zakat as well as general charity and have an endorsement on their website that they are a valid place to pay Zakat. They have medical work, as well as emergency famine relief that is ongoing in Palestine and specifically are working to send emergency aid to Gaza.
3. Islamic Relief USA
Over 30 years old, Islamic Relief provides international aid to a wide range of areas of need, including the current crisis in Palestine. Again, the Charity Navigator gives the agency a 4/4 rating as well as a 100% rating. Islamic Relief is highly reputable and has been active in disaster relief all over the world, consistently delivering effective and life-saving support to Muslims all over the world. They also accept Zakat, as well as Fidya Kaffara, and Sadaqah, and you can designate your donation when you make it.
4. Middle East Children’s Alliance (MECA)
The Middle East Children’s Alliance is a well-established charity that has been operating out of Berkeley, California with a 4/4 star rating from the Charity Navigator which rates Charities in the U.S. MECA has a transparent financial profile, and publishes comprehensive and easy-to-access financial reports on their website. They provide a variety of types of aid to Palestine, including famine and emergency relief, clean water, medical aid, psychological aid, electrical aid, and other forms of direct relief. MECA is a trustworthy organization, however, they do not take Zakat.
This is in no way an exhaustive list of all reputable charities and Zakat organizations operating in Palestine, or working to get emergency aid to Gaza. However, these charities are verified and reliable, and giving to them can have a high degree of confidence that the aid will directly reach the Palestinian people due to their length of establishment in the work, their reliability, their credibility, and their transparency.
May Allah help the Ummah in this time of crisis, especially the Palestinian people, and those in Gaza, and come to all of our aid powerfully, ya Qadir, and make us be successful in our prayers. May Allah aid us, sustain us, and strengthen us, especially those of the Ummah who are starving, or suffering from oppression. May Allah grant those who are suffering patience, and help us overcome the challenges that face us. May Allah bless us on the Day of Decision with a good record, and make our best day the day we meet Him. Allah (Alone) is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs (for us). 1
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