Published: 13 November 2007
Charity Regulator reaches out to faith-based charities
The independent charity regulator, the Charity Commission, has launched a dedicated unit – the Faith and Social Cohesion Unit - to provide support & expert advice to faith-based charities.
The unit aims to:
· strengthen the governance of faith-based charities
· identify & support organisations that could be but are not currently registered as charities and
· improve the regulator's and society's, understanding of faith-based charities and the contribution they make
The new unit will be headed by Ghulam Rasool. With extensive experience of working with faith communities at the grass roots, Ghulam has been actively involved in interfaith initiatives, religious education, and has been at the forefront of capacity building within faith organisations and upskilling of religious leaders.
Ghulam has also worked on innovative projects with young people to promote tolerance & understanding between different faith and ethnic groups.
The new Faith and Social Cohesion Unit will lead the Commission's work with faith-based charities, building on the findings of a two year programme of workshops with representatives from over 800 faith-based organisations across 11 different faiths.
Events were held with Muslim, Jewish, Sikh, Hindu and Buddhist communities as well as special meetings with the UK's smaller faiths such as Baha'i and Zoroastrianism, and a special multi-faith event for women only.
Feedback from representatives of all faiths focused on a desire for more face-to-face advice, tailored guidance and training for trustees from the Commission.
Key issues the Commission will take forward from the events include:
· Setting up the Faith & Social Cohesion Unit
· A new outreach programme, with face-to-face events providing advice and guidance and the opportunity to meet representatives from other faith-based charities
· Improving the accessibility of essential Commission publications and guidance for charity trustees with English as a second language
Dame Suzi Leather, Chair of the Charity Commission, said:
"The number and variety of faith-based charities reflects the diversity of modern Britain. Charities are often motivated by religious belief and are important vehicles in bringing people together for the common good, and in building bridges across communities.
Our programme of listening to and learning from faith-based groups has taught us a lot about how we can better serve their needs.
Our new Faith and Social Cohesion Unit will enable us to continue and develop our work with faith-based charities, by promoting good practice and providing specialist advice, guidance and training to trustees.
Our new Unit will focus initially on Muslim organisations: not only is Islam Britain's second largest faith, but time and time again Muslim charities have asked us for help in strengthening their governance and tackling the lack of understanding and mistrust about their work within society.
As the independent regulator of charities we have a duty to increase public trust and confidence in all charities operating in England and Wales.
Said Ferjani of the Mosques and Imams National Advisory Body (MINAB) said:
"We welcome the establishing of the Charity Commission's new Faith and Social Cohesion Unit, and the important work it will be doing to promote the benefits to mosques of registering as a charity.
We look forward to working closely with the Commission to support high standards of governance at mosques, with the wider community benefits that this will deliver."
Further information
Faith and Social Cohesion Unit
Mosques and Imams National Advisory Body (MINAB)
Related articles
Faith in the Education System
Role for Faith Based Groups in UK Welfare
Role of Local Authorities in Tackling Extremism
Commission on Integration and Cohesion reports
To find a business you can trust, click on the related categories below: