Muslim Philanthropy Initiative
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The Muslim Philanthropy Initiative (MPI) organizes symposiums and seminars; convenes philanthropic leaders; holds training programs; conducts research; and recruit Muslims in the field to train and empower a new generation of philanthropic and nonprofit leaders.
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Item US Muslims' Perceptions of Waqfs(Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, 2025) Cheema, Jehanzeb; Wasif, Rafeel; Siddiqui, Shariq; Mofawaz, Mohannad; Farhat, Zainab; Shehata, AhmedItem Muslim Giving and the Environment(Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, 2025) Thapa, Sitashma; Cheema, Jehanzeb; Siddiqui, Md. Jonayed; Enrici, Ash; Siddiqui, ShariqDrawing on national survey data, this report explores the intersection of Muslim-American philanthropy and environmental giving. It gives a first-of-its-kind quantitative analysis of how Muslim-American donors support environmental causes and also presents a comparison to the general population. Findings reveal that Muslim Americans engage more strongly with environmental giving and causes compared to the general population. This report's findings suggest the important role Muslim Philanthropy can play in promoting environmental action and sustainability.Item Philanthropy in Kuwait(Muslim Philanthropy Initiative, Lilly Family School of Philanathropy, Indiana University, 2025) Abu Rumman, Samir; Supiyan, Yusri; Siddiqui, Shariq; Cheema, Jehanzeb; Wasif, Rafeel; Kesgin, Selman; Haque, Nazmul; Thapa, Sitashma; Al Shayji, AbdulrazzakThe primary objective of this report that is based upon a nationally representative survey (n = 821) was to obtain information on charitable giving and volunteering patterns in Kuwait. The survey questionnaire included a demographic section followed by questions relating to charitable giving, zakat, volunteering, waqfs, and NG0s.Item Philanthropy in Jordan(Muslim Philanthropy Initiative, Lilly Family School of Philanathropy, Indiana University, 2025) Abu Rumman, Samir; Supiyan, Yusri; Siddiqui, Shariq; Cheema, Jehanzeb; Wasif, Rafeel; Kesgin, Selman; Haque, Nazmul; Thapa, SitashmaThe primary objective of this report based upon a nationwide representative survey (n = 1002) was to obtain information on charitable giving and volunteering patterns. The survey questionnaire included a demographic section followed by questions relating to charitable giving, zakat, volunteering, and waqfs.Item Philanthropy in Pakistan(Muslim Philanthropy Initiative, Lilly Family School of Philanathropy, Indiana University, 2025) Supiyan, Yusri; Siddiqui, Shariq; Cheema, Jehanzeb; Wasif, Rafeel; Kesgin, Selman; Haque, Nazmul; Thapa, SitashmaThe primary objective of this nationally representative survey (n = 2000 ) was to obtain information on charitable giving and volunteering patterns in Pakistan. The survey questionnaire included a demographic section followed by questions related to charitable giving, zakat, volunteering, waqfs, and NGOs. The overall analysis of the survey results for Pakistan sheds light on motivations and preferences for charitable giving, views and practices revolving around zakat, trends pertaining to volunteering, and perceptions and engagements with waqfs and NGOs. For certain findings, Pakistan's trends are similar to those of other Muslim-majority countries (refer to the other country reports for comparison). First, in-person giving remains the most preferable method of charitable giving. Second, the widespread belief in zakat as a means of poverty and hunger alleviation reflects the belief that zakat should be channeled to immediate relief. On the other hand, other findings seem to apply only to the context of Pakistan. The lack of popularity for alternative means of charitable giving besides giving directly to individuals, the lack of trust in giving to state institutions, general unfamiliarity with waqfs, and the perceptions of NGOs, among other things, reflect this distinction. Pakistani respondents are also relatively split on whether zakat is a mandatory tax (42%) or a nonobligatory charity (58%), reflecting the absence of an overwhelming consensus on this issue. Regarding volunteering, respondents acknowledged other factors besides prosocial motivations that drive them to volunteer. These reasons are self-oriented, and they range from warm glow to "strategic" decisions where individuals are motivated by how volunteering can improve their career prospects and enable them to network and to be able to explore and familiarize themselves with causes they support and believe in.Item Muslim Philanthropy Initiative's 2024 Impact Report(Muslim Philanthropy Initiative, 2025-03-07) Hassan, SaimaInnovative research, impactful partnerships, forward-thinking leadership, and valuable training and education initiatives—all contribute to bringing MPI's mission to fruition. Explore our 2024 impact report to see how your support has made a difference and helped us achieve our goals.Item Empowering Communities: The Transformative Potential and Practices of Zakat in the Contemporary United States - Insights from Scholars, Theologians, Practitioners, and Community Leaders(Muslim Philanthropy Initiative, Lilly Family School of Philanathropy, Indiana University, 2025-02-27) Siddiqui, Shariq; Samad, Abdul; Mofawaz, Mohannad; Elbenni, AhmedIslamic Relief USA, in collaboration with the Muslim Philanthropy Initiative (MPI) at Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, hosted the first annual Symposium on Zakat in Contemporary United States at the Islamic Relief USA Headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia, on November 18-19, 2024. This symposium was a meeting of select Islamic scholars and leaders to discuss contemporary issues of zakat in the United States using Chatham House Rules to allow for a robust and frank discussion. Muslims in the United States are highly diverse, which results in a diverse set of opinions and debates related to how zakat can be collected and distributed among Muslims, non-Muslims, and potentially others in the United States. This white paper presents six key insights that emerged during the symposium on the role of zakat in the contemporary United States and helps us develop consensus on some of these issues.Item Türkiye Giving Report(Muslim Philanthropy Initiative, IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, 2024-10-01) Kesgin, Selman; Haque, Nazmul; Thapa, Sitashma; Cheema, Jehanzeb; Wasif, Rafeel; Siddiqui, Shariq; Durak, Muhammed Burkay; Abu-Rumman, SamirTürkiye is a nationalist, secular, parliamentary democracy, which has a unique geographic passageway between the continents of Europe and Asia. Türkiye is recognized as one of the leading donors of humanitarian aid when measured in proportion to its national income. The tradition of charity (almsgiving) is deeply rooted in society which inherited from its long and old glorious past, especially from the Ottoman empire. Moreover, Islam along other religions play crucial role in philanthropic endeavors. Foundations, charities, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are considered formal forms of philanthropy in Türkiye, while informal philanthropy is based on community-based spontaneous acts charity. This report aims to understand charitable giving trends across major urban centers in the Republic of Türkiye. The survey was conducted in various urban cities with 1,210 adult respondents with a questionnaire focusing on demographic characteristics, charitable giving, zakat, and volunteerism. The report explores the motivations behind both general charitable giving and Zakat giving. The report indicates that the majority of giving is in-kind while a significant number of donors engaged in volunteering activities in time of disaster. The report also addresses the trust issues related to civil societies and charities among individuals.Item Muslim Philanthropy Institute's 2023 Impact Report(Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, 2024-04) School of Philanthropy, Indiana University Lilly FamilyMPI’s projects and research are driving key decisions of Muslim nonprofits and its work has deeply enriched the Muslim nonprofit and philanthropic sector. This report is a testament to MPI's impact and the progress made by it towards its mission in 2023.Item Ramadan, U.S. Muslims, and Zakat: Insights from a National Survey(Muslim Philanthropy Initiative at Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, 2024-03-28) Siddiqui, Shariq; Thapa, Sitashma; Cheema, Jehanzeb; Ahmed, TulipRamadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, observed by Muslims through fasting from dawn to dusk. In 2024, it began in early March and ends in early April. This report explores the link between Ramadan and zakat, a mandatory form of almsgiving and one of Islam's five pillars. A survey of 1,136 U.S.-based Muslim adults revealed that the majority prefer giving zakat during Ramadan, often through fundraising iftars or community prayers. Demographic trends show that Muslim women, married individuals, those in the $50,000-$75,000 income bracket, and the 30–39 age group, particularly registered voters, have a higher propensity to give zakat during this period. Additionally, higher religiosity levels correlate with increased zakat giving during Ramadan, offering insights for nonprofit and Muslim faith-based institutions.