Empowering Communities: The Transformative Potential and Practices of Zakat in the Contemporary United States - Insights from Scholars, Theologians, Practitioners, and Community Leaders

Abstract

Islamic 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.