Islamic Charity in the Era of Globalisation

Abstract

The text focuses on the description and evaluation of an Islamic social
system in the framework of the so-called Islamic moral economy based on
obligatory alms (zakat) and the waqf system. Attention is paid to the main
institutions of the Islamic social order such as mosques, madrasas,
foundations, waqf property and forms of financing. The main principles and
differences in charitable activities in Sunni, Shi'a Islam, Christianity and Sufi
orders are highlighted and analysed. The article defines and clarifies the
main historic landmarks of Islamic charity while providing a survey of
contemporary Islamic NGO. Common features of the Islamic NGOs and
their sporadic links to Islamist movements and terrorists are also discussed.
The article concludes with an identification of the main reasons for the
relatively small impact of the measures taken after the September 11.