(Photo from Sullivan County)

An interesting piece on the plight of Islamic charities after 9/11 in the latest issue of ColorLines, via Newsdesk. I wasn't aware that of the six major Muslim nonprofits that were shut down, no one has been convicted of any crime. See story here:

Last year in Illinois, a coalition of Muslim and other religious organizations pushed the Illinois State Assembly to pass a resolution called "Charity Without Fear." The resolution called on the federal government to create a list of organizations that are safe for people to contribute to without fear of being questioned by the government. The Bush administration has made no move to respond.

With or without fear, many Muslims contribute 10 percent of their annual income to charity. Having turned to local organizations, they have begun to directly impact mosques.

"Donations are back to the levels of pre-September 11 and are better," said Mohammed Sahloul, president of the Mosque Foundation, which has about 4,000 attendees for prayer service on Fridays. The mosque's budget has doubled from $500,000 to $1 million, and they have used the new money to expand the mosque and remodel the youth center.

In other stories on the intersection of faith, philanthropy and international development ...

*A group of faith-based and socially responsible investors is applauding the release of Sears Holdings Corporation's revised "Code of Vendor Conduct and Guidelines" to prevent human rights abuses at its merchandise vendors and factories.

*Bishops task oil companies on social responsibility in Niger Delta.

*Opportunity International, a Christian microfinance organization, announces commitment to reduce global poverty at Clinton Global Initiative.

*In the UK, Church steps up to provide business advice to young people in the community.

*Archbishop Andrew S. Hutchison, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, on corporate social responsibility.

*And finally, on the other end of the "great good, or great evil?" spectrum: Uganda's anti-gay witch hunt escalates ...