Muslims are among Britain’s most generous givers, topping a poll of religious groups that donate to charity, according to new research.
Muslims who donated to charity last year gave an average of almost £371 each, with Jewish givers averaging just over £270 per person. (£1=247.826 NGN)
Nearly one in ten of Jewish givers donated more than £1,000. Among Muslim givers, most donated between £300 and £500.
Atheists, by contrast, donated an average of £116 when they gave to charity with roman Catholics giving slightly more then £178 other Christians slightly less then £178 and Protestants £202.
According to the poll of 4,000, carried out in conjunction with the JustGiving website, nearly four in 10 atheists did not donate at all, compared to three in ten Muslims, Catholics and other Christians, nearly three in ten Protestants and more than four in ten Jewish people.
JustGiving said a growing number of Muslims were making their charitable donations online. Zakat, one of the five pillars of Islam, is the compulsory giving of a proportion of one’s wealth to charity.
Religious charities such as Muslim Aid and Islamic Relief benefited most, but many donations also went to the likes of Cancer Research, Macmillan and the British Heart Foundation.
Zarine Kharas, chief executive of JustGiving, said: “Our data shows many of Britain’s Muslim communities are at the forefront of digital giving, driving an increase in zakat donations.”
Farooq Murad, secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain, said: “It highlights the true spirit and reality of Islam in Britain, in caring not just for the community but also humanity at large and supporting national causes.”