Source: Religion News Service
UNITED STATES, July 10, 2010: The decision of the U.S. Supreme Court prohibiting “material support” for accused terrorist groups continues to reverberate. The law prohibits providing cash and weapons to terrorist groups, but also training in how to hold elections and peacefully resolve conflict.
Civil rights groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union, argued the law violated the First Amendment right of free speech. “The maze of government laws has created a lot of fear and confusion that puts a chill on Muslim giving,” said Farhana Khera, executive director of Muslim Advocates, a civil rights group. “For Muslim Americans, the problematic piece is that it affirms the idea that the donor’s intent — promoting a peaceful cause or giving money for humanitarian purposes — is irrelevant.”
Critics say the law, which exempts medicine and religious materials, is vague and has implications for Muslim charities and individual Muslim donors who want to fulfill their religious duty to aid the poor.