The Centre for the Study of Islam at the University of Glasgow has been awarded a $100,000 research grant from the Ford Foundation, New York, to study philanthropy among British Muslims.

The UK Case study is part of a wider international project, which will compare the charitable habits of Muslims.

Dr Mona Siddiqui of the Department of Theology and Religious Studies and project co-ordinator said: "Muslims believe that giving money purifies their own wealth. The purpose of the research is to understand the nature of philanthropy and how it can result in a more just society.

"We want to discover who Muslims give their money to and why they choose to give to certain things and not others. Some Muslims donate all the time and others only at religious festivals."

There are five other countries involved in the study; Indonesia, India, Turkey, Egypt and Tanzania. The UK project is very special, as it is the only western European country to be involved.

Dr Siddiqui added: "Some of the countries involved in the project may be able to see a direct link between philanthropy and a change in social justice."

The grant was awarded at a meeting on the Island of Bali in July 2003, which was attended by Dr Siddiqui and the lead researcher Mr Amanullah De Sondy, who has been appointed to the post of Research Fellow.

Teams involved in the one-year study will meet in Egypt in spring 2004 to discuss the initial results of fieldwork. The final meeting will be in the form of an International Academic Conference, which will allow for discussion and debate regarding the findings of the project.

Media Relations Office (media@gla.ac.uk)

University contact: Dr Mona Siddiqui 0141 330 4604
email: s.siddiqui@divinity.gla.ac.uk

University of Glasgow Press Office: 0141 330 3535/3683

First published: 15 August 2003