Report: Blocking Faith, Freezing Charity

This report documents the effect of U.S. government actions on American Muslims' exercise of their right to profess and practice their religion through charitable giving. The ACLU's research shows that U.S. terrorism financing policies and practices are seriously undermining American Muslims' protected constitutional liberties and violating their fundamental human rights to freedom of religion, freedom of association, and freedom from discrimination.

The ACLU found that these policies and practices are neither fair nor effective, and are undermining American values of due process and fairness. This report outlines clear measures the Obama administration and Congress should take to ensure American Muslims can exercise their religion while protecting charities from mistaken targeting and abuse, and simultaneously promoting national security and humanitarian aid.

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(Executive Summary (PDF))

Table of Contents

I	EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND INTRODUCTION	7
II	METHODOLOGY	25
III	LEGAL FRAMEWORK	27
IV	LACK OF DUE PROCESS TO PROTECT AGAINST MISTAKE AND ABUSE	39
V	DISCRIMINATORY ENFORCEMENT OF COUNTERTERRORISM LAWS AGAINST AMERICAN MUSLIM CHARITIES	59
VI	INTIMIDATION OF MUSLIM DONORS BY LAW ENFORCEMENT	69
VII	CHARITABLE GIVING IN ISLAM	83
VIII	CHILLING EFFECT ON MUSLIM CHARITABLE GIVING AND IMPACT ON RELIGIOUS FREEDOM	89
IX	CHILLING EFFECT ON ASSOCIATION WITH MUSLIM COMMUNITY AND RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS	111
X	COLLATERAL CONSEQUENCES UNDERMINE COUNTERTERRORISM EFFORTS	117
XI	INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS AND CONSTITUTIONAL LEGAL STANDARDS	131
XII	ACKNOWLEDGMENTS	139
XIII	ENDNOTES	141