Center for Security Studies

Charity under Threat? Zakat Institutions in the Occupied Palestinian Territory

Charity under Threat? Zakat Institutions in the Occupied Palestinian Territory

Author(s): Emanuel Schaeublin, Owen Frazer
Journal Title: Research Summary
Publisher(s): Center for Security Studies (CSS), ETH Zurich
Publication Year: 2012

This note discusses the functioning of local charitable welfare institutions, particularly zakat institutions, in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. Zakat, known as mandatory alms, is one of the five pillars of Islam. Zakat institutions are voluntary committees charged with the collection and distribution of zakat donations from the local community. Research conducted in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip has highlighted the challenges that these organizations are facing to operate effectively due to increased political interference and structural reforms introduced since the 2006 elections. The note summarizes the main findings of that research.

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