# Charity Commission issues advice on spotting genuine registered charities ahead of Ramadan

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2017/05/26/charity-commission-issues-advice-on-spotting-genuine-registered-charities-ahead-of-ramadan/
- Published: 2017-05-26T16:15:07+01:00
- Author: Howard Lake

**The Charity Commission has issued its annual advice to help British Muslims continue
giving to genuine registered charities this Ramadan.**

 

The Commission often issues advice on [safer giving around religious festivals](https://fundraising.co.uk/2014/12/08/charity-regulators-wish-public-safe-xmas-when-donating/)
and in the wake of major public appeals such as those created in response to this
week’s [terrorist attack at the Manchester Arena](https://fundraising.co.uk/2017/05/24/british-red-cross-sets-emergency-appeal-fund-following-manchester-arena-attack/).
It has been advising on [giving at Ramadan since 2011](https://fundraising.co.uk/2011/08/08/charity-commission-gives-safer-giving-advice-ramadan/).

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The Commission has published several steps for people to take to check before they
give, to ensure their zakat goes where it is intended this Ramadan, which gets underway
today.

 

## £100m giving during Ramadan

 

The [Muslim Charities Forum](https://www.muslimcharitiesforum.org.uk/) estimates
that Muslims across Britain donate around £100m during Ramadan. The top three causes
that benefit from zakat are reported to be [disaster relief, children and education](http://www.cause4.co.uk/home/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Cause4-A-Survey-of-Charitable-Giving-in-the-British-Muslim-Community-December-2014.pdf).

 

Monowara Gani, Director of Operations at the Muslim Charities Forum said: “We know
that Muslims in Britain take their zakat duties very seriously and are enormously
generous in their charitable giving, especially at Ramadan. Around £100m is donated
each year during Ramadan across Britain. We at MCF see first-hand the difference
that generosity makes. That’s why we are endorsing the Commission’s campaign and
encouraging Muslims [in the UK] to check before they give to ensure you are giving
to a genuine registered charity and that your zakat is going where it is intended.”

 

## How to give safely

 

The Charity Commission advises:

 

 * before giving, check for a charity registration number. You can [verify this at gov.uk](http://gov.uk/find-charity-information)
 * be more cautious about people collecting for general charitable causes, such 
   as ‘for sick children’ – make sure you’re giving to a genuine registered charity
   when approached by collectors, check whether they are wearing a proper ID badge
   and that any collection tin is sealed and undamaged
 * if in doubt, ask the collector for more information – a genuine fundraiser should
   be happy to answer questions and explain more about the work of the charity
 * never feel under pressure by a fundraiser into making a donation immediately
 * be careful when responding to emails or clicking links within them. Don’t “click-
   through” from suspicious-looking emails. If you want to donate online, type in
   the charity’s website address from your homepage.  

 * **[Muslim Aid campaign asks people to make their Zakat count this Ramadan](https://fundraising.co.uk/2018/05/08/muslim-aid-campaign-asks-people-make-zakat-count-ramadan/)**(
   8 May 2018)
 * **[Chocolate cakes raise over £1 million for Syria](https://fundraising.co.uk/2018/06/13/chocolate-cakes-raise-1m-syria/)**(
   13 June 2018)
 * **[Ramadan 2019 fundraising round up](https://fundraising.co.uk/2019/05/01/ramadan-2019-fundraising-round-up/)**(
   1 May 2019)

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