Dushwari

a nice effort for uniting Muslim lawyers in North America.

true most of all work begins and is sustained by monies,
but, there is something much more invisibly powerful and that is loyalty to a group as well as being focused on a mission in the company of like minded resolute people.

your thoughts on this and how likely it is that issues that matter to Muslims will get a voice if our lawyers unite and work towards building a common ground?
____________
Dear NAML members,


I am very excited to share news with you of the launch of our latest initiative -- the Muslim Charities Accreditation Program. (See detailed program info below.)


This program is an excellent combo of the legal expertise of Muslim Advocates + the nonprofit expertise of a trusted, independent charity evaluator, the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance. Together, we aim to educate Muslim nonprofit leaders, ensure the legal compliance, accountability and transparency of mosques and Muslim charitable organizations, and restore confidence with donors, volunteers, government regulators and the public.


This program is the culmination of heavy lifting by Akil Vohra, one of our full-time staff attorneys at Muslim Advocates. He has spent his first year with us researching appropriate nonprofit standards and charity evaluating mechanisms and then working with Muslim charities to educate them about the program and to sign them up. We have our first round of organizations already going thru the evaluation process.


Many thanks to Akil for his dedication and commitment to serving our community in this deep and meaningful way. He is leading a project that is one of the most important initiatives since 9/11 to protect and strengthen the Muslim community.


Our program has also benefited from the advice and contributions of a number of NAML members, including Shirin Sinnar, Marwa Elzankaly, Yusuf Safdari, Karim Hanafy, Minal Hasan, Mazen Asbahi, and Sahar Aziz, and Muslim Advocates Board members Awais Sufi, LaDale George, and Amber Khan. Our deep gratitude to each of them for making this program possible.


***So as you can see, while Akil is doing the heavy lifting, we cannot do this work alone. We are looking for pro bono counsel, accountants and nonprofit professionals to assist with the program.***


***We're also looking to spread word about the program and to sign organizations up. Please forward information about this program to mosque and Muslim nonprofit Board members, officers and senior staff you know who could benefit from the free services offered thru this program -- free legal assistance by Muslim Advocates and free evaluation and accreditation by BBB-WGA.***


As noted below, you can sign up to volunteer or to participate on our website (Muslim Advocates) or by contacting Akil (akil@muslimadvocates.org), who is cc'd here.


Many thanks and salaam,
Farhana




---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <farhana@muslimadvocates.org>
Date: Fri, Aug 15, 2008 at 2:20 AM
Subject: Muslim Advocates Launches Muslim Charities Accreditation Program
To: farhana@muslimadvocates.org







Muslim Advocates Launches Charities Accreditation Program
A Joint Initiative with the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance


Dear Friends,

I am very pleased to report that this week, Muslim Advocates launched its newest initiative, the Muslim Charities Accreditation Program – a joint initiative with the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance (BBB-WGA), a trusted and independent charity evaluator with 70+ years experience.

Since 2001, government scrutiny of certain Muslim charitable institutions has had a deleterious effect on the community's ability to support charitable activities and to exercise its religious obligation of zakat, or charity. The Muslim Charities Accreditation Program is a proactive, practical approach. It will assist mosques and charitable organizations with legal compliance and nonprofit best practices, so that they can focus on what they do best: serving our communities and helping those in need.

The key components of the Muslim Charities Accreditation Program include:

Free Assistance by Muslim Advocates' staff attorney and our network of lawyers, accountants and other experts.

Free Evaluation and Accreditation by the trusted BBB-WGA using some of the most rigorous standards in the nonprofit community

Educational Seminars for Muslim Nonprofit Leaders held nationwide bringing together attorneys, accountants and nonprofit professionals discussing a broad range of issues affecting nonprofits including: tax issues, employment law and anti-terrorist financing laws and regulations.

A Muslim Nonprofit Best Practices Guidebook authored by attorneys and in consultation with nonprofit professionals to provide nonprofit leaders with the tools they need to build and maintain their institutions.

A Technical Assistance Hotline available to nonprofit leaders to address immediate questions relating to nonprofit governance, financial and legal issues.

An Online Portal for Nonprofits and Donors providing guidance to nonprofits and resources to help donors make the best decisions when it comes to their philanthropy.

This initiative has already received extensive media coverage, including:

Wall Street Journal Free Preview - WSJ.com

The Chronicle of Philanthropy Watchdog Group Devises New Accreditation Plan for Muslim Charities - Philanthropy.com

Chicago Tribune Muslim charities are urged to get bureau accreditation -- chicagotribune.com

NPR Marketplace program (radio) 'Marketplace' Report: Muslim Charities Audited : NPR

Get involved in this exciting, new program today:

(1) Sign up for the Muslim Charities Accreditation Program: Are you a nonprofit leader, Imam, Shura Council member or do you know of a nonprofit or public charity that could use assistance in meeting best practices? Click here to learn more and to sign up for the program: Participate in the Muslim Charities Accreditation Program! - Muslim Advocates

(2) Volunteer your expertise: Muslim Advocates is seeking attorneys, accountants and nonprofit professionals to assist in our campaign. Are you interested in legal research, providing financial, tax or other guidance, or hosting an educational seminar? Click here to sign up: Volunteer - Muslim Advocates

(3) Share this information: If you know someone who would be interested in participating in the program, please forward this email and direct them to our website: Muslim Advocates

(4) Help us continue this good work: This initiative has been possible by the generous support of donors like you. Help us continue this good work. Consider a donation today.

Please visit us at Strengthening Charities - Muslim Advocates to learn more about the Muslim Charities Accreditation Program and our effort to strengthen the Muslim American philanthropy sector.

If you have any questions, please contact, Akil Vohra, at 415-692-1484 or akil@muslimadvocates.org.

Best regards,

Farhana Khera
President & Executive Director


For more information, visit Muslim Advocates

Our work is only made possible by the generous support of donors like you.

Donate today!

Ask99

Thanks for posting the info Dushi