FAQs

Answers to your most frequently asked questions.

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

General Questions

How do you pronounce “Baitulmaal” and what does it mean?

Baitulmaal is pronounced “BAY-tul-mal” with the “mal” like Mallory. Baitulmaal literally translates from Arabic into English as “House of Wealth” but its meaning is that of an “Institution of Charity.” Essentially, Baitulmaal is your home for charity.

What does Baitulmaal do?

Baitulmaal serves as a conduit between the compassion of our donors and the needs of our beneficiaries. Baitulmaal provides life-saving, life-sustaining, and life-enriching humanitarian aid to under-served populations around the world regardless of faith or nationality. Our vision is a world free of want.

Where is Baitulmaal located?

Baitulmaal is headquartered in Dallas, Texas (meet the national team here). We also have offices in California, Florida, Illinois, Michigan and New Jersey as well as international offices in Africa, South Asia and the Middle East.

Where does Baitulmaal work and what are some of its programs?

Our compassionate donors enable Baitulmaal to RESPOND to emergencies, SUSTAIN families, and empower communities to THRIVE in countries such as Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Ghana, India, the Ivory Coast, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Pakistan, Palestine, Somalia, Syria, Turkey, Yemen, South America and the U.S. 

In addition to responding to emergencies with immediate aid such as food, water, medicine, hygiene kits, and assistance with evacuations or debris removal, Baitulmaal also provides long-term solutions to long-standing problems such as access to clean drinking water, resources to combat disease and malnutrition, and programs to strengthen and support communities.

Programs include:

  • Distributing nutritious food packages
  • Repairing damaged homes, hospitals, and schools
  • Supplying hospitals with antibiotics and medical supplies
  • Sending winter aid packages to displaced communities
  • Installing solar panels in schools for renewable energy
  • Promoting sanitation and hygiene by digging deep water wells, installing desalination plants, and filling water tanks
  • Assisting with COVID-19 efforts in the U.S. and abroad
  • Conducting vocational training in communities
  • Providing food for seasonal programs such as Ramadan iftars and Udhiya meat distribution.
  • And much more

What percentage of my donation goes to those in need?

Baitulmaal is 501 (c)(3), tax-deductible, zakat-eligible charity with a 4 star rating on Charity Navigator and Platinum Seal of Transparency on Guidestar.

A portion of your donation (9% in 2020) goes toward reasonable administrative costs (3%) and other support expenses (6%) to ensure the delivery of charitable services. The percentage of donations that go toward programs is 91%.

How do you get aid to countries that have blockades in place?

Charitable organizations are working together under the umbrella of large humanitarian forums. This enables us to take advantage of help through the United Nations. The UN relies on these forums to facilitate humanitarian aid distributions. This is not to say that getting aid to certain countries is without difficulties. But we work hard to get aid to where it is needed and have been blessed with being able to do so.

What type of orphan programs do you have? 

Baitulmaal facilitates one-to-one orphan sponsorships of Syrian, Palestinian, Yemeni, Kenyan, Somali, Lebanese, and Jordanian orphans. Sponsorships span a minimum of one (1) year (through either a monthly or one-time, one-year donation) and cover an orphan’s nutritional, health, educational, psychological, and social wellbeing. Donors are assigned an orphan and receive updates on their support. 

Baitulmaal also offers a general orphan support program for donors who want to support other efforts to help orphans grow and thrive around the world outside of the sponsorship program. 

Can I dedicate my gift in honor or in memory of someone? 

Yes, we have a dedication option on our online donation form. Simply check the box and select “in honor” or “in memory” and enter the name or names of who you want to dedicate your gift to. 

I want to donate to PayPal, but how do I make sure my donation goes to a specific country or program?

Our donation form is fully integrated with PayPal. You can donate with the confidence that your gift intent will be recorded and honored. 

Do you accept Crypto currency donations?

Yes! You can learn more here.

I have questions about my donation. Where can I get help?

Please reach out to donorcare@baitulmaal.org (you’ll be assigned a donor care specialist soon). 

I want to raise funds for Baitulmaal. How can I do that?

You can start a fundraiser on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/fund/baitulmaal/ or like, share, and add our link in your bio. 

You can also ask your supervisor or human resources department if your employer has a gift matching program. Many employer gift matching programs will match your donation, essentially doubling your impact. 

What other ways can I be involved?

Here are a few more ways to keep the compassion going:

  • Turn your compassion into volunteerism! Sign up to volunteer with Baitulmaal here.

Have any more questions? We’ll get you answers! Feel free to send us an email at info@baitulmaal.org.

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Questions about aid in Palestine

Do you have people actually in Gaza and the West Bank?

Yes. Baitulmaal has been blessed with having field workers in Palestine for more than a decade supporting healthcare in the West Bank and operating 400 water tanks in Gaza, in addition to other aid programs. Having resources inside Palestine enables Baitulmaal to quickly respond to the needs of Palestinians in times of crisis.

How are you responding to the current crisis in Gaza? (October 2023)

Baitulmaal is on the ground in Gaza distributing aid such as food packages, mattresses, blankets, pillows and floor mats to families in need. Warm meals are being distributed to injured victims in hospitals and their families, as well as to displaced Palestinians seeking refuge in shelters. Baitulmaal is also facilitating clean water access to approximately 44,500 Palestinians sheltering in schools and displacement centers. Psychosocial supports like toys, activities and friendly faces are also being provided to hundreds of displaced children in need of comfort during these difficult days. Baitulmaal is also preparing to deliver medical aid and supplies as soon as the situation allows. For the latest updates and photos, please follow us on social media.

If the borders are closed, how are you getting aid into Gaza?

Baitulmaal has aid stock currently within Gaza, and as soon as the situation allows, more aid will be brought in. The situation is evolving and we are doing everything we can for the people of Gaza. Baitulmaal will share more information on aid deliveries as they become available. Please follow us on social media for the latest news and updates.

What have you done to help Palestinians?

Since its inception, Baitulmaal has delivered humanitarian aid to Palestine, including:

I am currently sponsoring a water tank in Gaza. What is the status?

At this time, weekly water tank refills may have been interrupted due to the current crisis, but clean water access is still an ongoing effort in Gaza. Baitulmaal is redirecting resources to operate water stations located in schools and shelter centers in Al-Zawaideh, Deir-Al-Balah, Al-Maghazi Camp, Al-Nuseirat Camp, Al-Khawalda, and Al-Sawarha. This ensures efficiency and clean water access to as many displaced families as possible. So far, approximately 44,500 Palestinians have access to these clean water stations. Once the situation allows, Baitulmaal will conduct an assessment on the status of existing water tanks and any future needs. We anticipate that more water tanks will be required in the near future.

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Questions about aid in Morocco

What is the current situation in Morocco?

  • A 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck near Marrakech, Morocco on Sept 8, 2023, killing more than 2,900 people and injuring approximately 5,500 according to Moroccan authorities
  • More than 300,000 people have been affected in Marrakech and surrounding areas, including 100,000 children, according to the WHO
  • Worst-hit provinces include hard-to-reach villages in the High Atlas mountains, such as Al Haouz, Chichaoua, Taroudant, Marrakech, Ouarzazate and Aziz Lal
  • An estimated 50,000 homes were partially or completely destroyed

Is Baitulmaal sending aid to Morocco?

Yes. Baitulmaal is working with local teams on the ground in Morocco to deliver emergency aid to families in need.

What kind of aid is Baitulmaal sending?

Baitulmaal is currently on the ground in Morocco distributing aid such as food, tents, mattresses, blankets, and kitchen supplies to families in need. Baitulmaal will share more information on aid deliveries as they become available.

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Questions about aid in Libya

What is the current situation in Libya?

  • Approximately 11,300 Libyans have perished in floods brought on by torrential rains this month, while another 10,000 remain missing, according to the Libyan Red Crescent
  • More than 46,000 Libyans are now displaced, according to the UN’s International Organization for Migration
  • One quarter of the city of Derna, which previously had a population of 100,000, is completely destroyed.
  • Experts are warning that floodwaters have severely contaminated water sources, making them unsafe for human consumption and exposing communities to grave health risks from diseases such as cholera, diarrhea, dysentery, hepatitis A, typhoid and polio

Is Baitulmaal sending aid to Libya?

Yes. Although there are logistical challenges to delivering aid in Libya, Baitulmaal is diligently working with local and international aid groups – including the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) – to mobilize emergency aid to Libyans in need.

What kind of aid is Baitulmaal sending?

Baitulmaal is currently planning to send emergency health kits to Libya, in addition to food and other aid. Baitulmaal will share more information on aid deliveries as they become available.

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Questions about earthquake response in Turkiye/Syria

What is the situation in Turkiye and Syria after the Feb. 6, 2023 earthquakes?

  • 41,000 people have perished in the earthquakes (as of Feb. 15, 2023)
  • Deaths are likely to surpass 56,000 according to the UN emergency aid chief
  • Thousands more have been injured
  • Millions have been displaced
  • 23 million people across Turkiye and Syria will likely face the threat of a “secondary disaster” if aid does not reach them soon, according to the World Health Organization (WHO)

What kind of aid is Baitulmaal sending?

Baitulmaal began immediately distributing food, water and blankets to survivors of the quakes. It also sent $5.35M in emergency medical aid to Turkiye, the first shipments of which are currently being distributed within Turkiye and northern Syria (as of Feb. 14, 2023). The charity will also provide winter relief kits, run ambulance services and operate medical tents, among other aid.

Where is Baitulmaal distributing the aid?

Baitulmaal is providing aid according to the unique needs assessments of survivors in:

  • Turkiye: Gaziantep, Sanliurfa, Adiyaman, Hatay and other areas
  • Syria: Idlib, Maarat Masrin, Jinderes, Salqin, Sarmada, Harem, Tell Abyad and other areas in northern Syria

Aren’t governments sending humanitarian aid?

The aid pledged by governments around the world, if it materializes, can take months to reach Turkiye, with even less aid likely to be committed to Syria due to conflict in the region.

How do you track and monitor that the aid is actually getting into the hands of those who need it the most?

Baitulmaal has reporting requirements for field workers and third parties who help us deliver aid. This includes detailed documentation of the amount of aid, the number of beneficiaries as well as the costs and other social impact metrics. We also require photographic evidence of the aid deliveries as an additional measure.

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Questions about aid in Ukraine

What’s happening in Ukraine?

  • Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022
  • Russian military forces have bombed homes,
    hospitals, schools, and other civilian targets 
  • 1M refugees flee Ukraine in the first week
  • 4M refugees as of March 29, 2022
  • Mostly women, children, and elderly

What kind of aid is Baitulmaal sending?

Medical supplies are in urgent need, so Baitulmaal sent $2M in emergency medical aid and set up a general relief tent on the border of Ukraine in Romania. We are assessing the evolving situation and may send additional aid packages as needed.

What about refugees in other parts of the world?

Baitulmaal provides aid to refugees in many parts of the world including the Rohingya in Bangladesh, Palestinians and Syrians in Jordan, Turkiye and Lebanon, Uyghurs in Turkiye and internally displaced people in Yemen and Somalia, as well as Ukrainian refugees at the border of Ukraine.

As a faith-based organization, shouldn’t Baitulmaal focus on helping only Muslims?

The Quran teaches us that “whoever saves a life, it will be as if they saved all of humanity.” (Quran 5:32). 

As people of faith and people of conscience, we have a duty to respond to human suffering whenever and wherever we can regardless of faith, ethnicity, or nationality. 

There is no shortage of human suffering, so there should be no shortage of our compassion. 

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