All,
There has been mention of ‘charity’

Out of left field, and as an honest question.
It would enlightening to know what PROPORTION of Islamic based/derived charity goes to non-Islamic recipients.

Not whether or not it exists/happens– I am sure it does –but what proportion?

Things I have seen/experienced incline me to believe that Islamic charity is to a large extent directed to Islamic recipients?

Horus,

“what proportion of Islamic charities goes to non-Islamic recepients?

Difficult question because there is no formula. The context is charity is for every human being and animal. Reality is different.
For organised charities you will need to go to each site to find out. For individual charities I can only speak for myself and those who I know of and its mainly on its merits. For example, in Australia, I split charity money evenly between Islamic charities and the salvos. Islamic charities being things like mosques maintenance and repairs. When I am overseas (ie in an Islamic country) I don’t give to building new mosques as I believe there are enough. I give to sponsoring orphans, income-less widows and poor children deprived from education. I also don’t give cash but buy books or pay school fees, etc. Many of my friends and contacts do the same although I am not sure how reflective are we, as a sample, of the overall Muslim communities.
I also give to Christian charities overseas on its merit but I know few Muslims who do that.

Hope I was of help,

Fellow-Human
Thank you for your forthright response.
Though, I'm not sure that the rest of your
congregation would be as humanitarianly inclined as you.

I am more and more inclined to believe that if we could just convince you to change a few of your beliefs , you'd be a real A1 guy.

Good to see you still around.
Cheers!

Good call Horus.
The belief that Muhammed's mentally insane message is divine would be a good start.

Thanks Horus,

“not sure that the rest of your congregation would be as humanitarianly inclined as you”

Belief system is ever changing, 10 years ago when I first suggested to some of my friends that Orphan school fees should replace donations to build new mosques, my idea was labelled as ‘alien and left field’. Today guess what? Almost all people I know and there children are doing it. Beliefs can be influenced and changed if you light candles which I think I am doing.

I am scratching my head as to which ‘few’ of my beliefs are so bad but I was told I am reasonable, logical and factual (at least at work). Anyway, will do my best in our conversations and if I can’t be an A1 guy I will settle for an A2.

Cheers,

Fellow_Human,

I always enjoy talking with you - even if we don't always agree. You are ever gentle, enlightened and intelligent; always very well informed. Your humanity is evident. You are a wonderful spokesman for your faith.

Christianity had accretions of tribal or previous practices attached. You pointed out that female circumsion had been practiced by Christians. Honour killings, whilst illegal, still occur in some Christian areas. Little boys were mutilated to sing castrati for the glory of the church.

Christianity’s history is marked with barbarity - converting the infidel at the end of a sword, then immediately despatching them in case they recant.

Christianity also had accretions of pagan beliefs attached. In Gothic cathedrals in England, bosses are very evident along the ceilings; as are gargoyles - many of which are downright obscene. These elements are of pagan gods, which the Church permitted so as to make their Christian faithful feel at home. Chartres cathedral is built on the site of a Roman temple, the goddess, an ebony figure, was re-assigned as the Black Madonna.

For the most part, Christianity has weeded these out. Christianity has had the Reformation, and Counter Reformation - both bloody. Then the Enlightenment.

Do you think it possible that Islamic anthropologists and archaeologists could identify accreditions of old tribal mores and practices, in no way attached to Islamic beliefs, and these be expunged from Islamic practices. I'm sure this would go a great way towards more tolerance of Islam by the West. Many in the West feel some practices, such as the burqa, confronting.

I know a lovely Arab Muslim family, gentle, warm and generous. The wife is an anglo-Australian convert and wears this garment. I see beyond it, but many others don't. I hesitate to discuss Islam, indeed certain other topics, except at the most superficial level.
I don't want to inadvertently give offence.

Happily, I feel that I can discuss such matters with you.

Pax