Beyond Cultural Taboos: The Muslim Woman's Guide to Money Conversations

Like many immigrant families, finances weren't discussed openly in our home, particularly with daughters. This cultural silence around money matters extended even to religious financial obligations like zakat. Although zakat is a fundamental pillar of Islam required of all Muslims regardless of gender, the practical aspects of calculating and fulfilling it were not taught to me. This omission reflects a broader pattern where financial acumen wasn't considered essential knowledge for young women. As I entered adulthood, I found myself unprepared not only for basic financial responsibilities but also for properly fulfilling my religious obligations related to wealth.

Nausheena HussainAugust 7, 2025Economic Empowerment, philanthropy, Leadership

Muslim Philanthropy: A Tradition of Abundance

When I was a child, the month before Ramadan, my immigrant parents would sit at the kitchen table with my sister and me to discuss how our family could give back. They would tell us about a family relative back in India who could use our help. Maybe it was for something critical, like surgery; or something invaluable, like education; or something practical, like a sewing machine! My working-class family’s support was not extravagant, but we did what we could. This experience taught me that, even as a child, I had the power to make a transformational difference in others’ lives.

Dilnaz WariachJanuary 12, 2023philanthropy, economic power, Leadership

Zakat, Taxes, and DAFs: Understanding the Philanthropic Complexities

Ostensibly, tax laws and tax incentives were created so that the wealthy would have agency in their charitable giving and, hopefully, increase it. But is that really what’s happening? Are billionaires actually giving more? And in my own position of relative privilege, how can I leverage these laws and incentives to benefit my community?

Nausheena HussainApril 21, 2022philanthropy, economic power, Intersectionality

Giving Circles: New Model or New Name?

Two months before the holy month of Ramadan begins, my mailbox, inbox, and messaging groups swell with invitations to fundraising dinners from all across the metro. Typically, a well renowned speaker flies in, gives a keynote at a semi-formal dinner, and a familiar face challenges us to dig deeper into our pockets with a starting bid to donate $25,000!

Nausheena HussainMarch 14, 2019philanthropy, giving circles, economic power

A Revival of Sisterhood

In a word, we were *woke,* but were still lacking a space for us to gather and pool our resources to affect real change in often-ignored areas: social and political action and philanthropy. These spaces exist in droves elsewhere, like my professional networks, but were lacking within communities in which I focused on my faith.

Meher KhanMarch 10, 2019advocacy, philanthropy, Intersectionality, leadership

Expressions: The Muslim Women’s Narrative Project

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