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ACLU Report Says War on Terrorism Financing Infringes Muslims' Religious Freedom

By Howard M. Friedman

Yesterday the ACLU issued a 166-page report titled Blocking Faith, Freezing Charity: Chilling Muslim Charitable Giving in the "War on Terrorism Financing." A press release accompanying the Report summarizes its findings:

U.S. terrorism finance laws and policies unfairly prevent Muslim Americans from practicing their religion through charitable giving, create a climate of fear and distrust in law enforcement and undermine America's diplomatic efforts in Muslim countries.... "Without notice and through the use of secret evidence and opaque procedures, the Treasury Department has effectively closed down seven U.S.-based Muslim charities, including several of the nation's largest Muslim charities," said Jennifer Turner, a researcher with the ACLU Human Rights Program and author of the report....

"Widespread intimidation of Muslim donors and the arbitrary blacklisting of charitable organizations trample on Muslims' free exercise of religion through charitable giving and tarnish America's reputation as a beacon of religious freedom," said Turner. "...[U]nless the Obama administration takes action, this legacy of the Bush administration will persist."

The ACLU has also posted a number of resources, including a video showing some of those affected, to supplement the report.

Full post as published by Religion Clause on June 17, 2009 (boomark / email).