DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 30 (UPI) -- Unwanted attention from federal agents could be the reason Muslim charities in the United States are experiencing a noticeable drop in contributions this year.
Najah Bazzy, who heads the charity Zaman International in Dearborn, Mich., says cash donations during Ramadan this year were less than half of previous years, The New York Times reported Monday.
Bazzy said she found most people unwilling to donate by check and she often receives anonymous wads of $100 bills stuffed into envelopes, the Times said.
Similar stories are reported in Muslim communities across the country.
In Washington, contributions have dropped sharply at the Islamic Center of America currently $6 million in debt for a new mosque, the newspaper reported.
The Times said many American Muslims are said to be reluctant to donate to Islamic causes out of fear that donations will bring unwanted attention from federal agents looking into potential ties to terrorism.
Since 2001 the government has closed five major Muslim charities, seizing millions of dollars in assets for allegedly funneling funds to terrorist groups.
