Yesterday evening we were visited by a group of Muslims seeking Muslim brothers. As I wasn't a muslim they were not interested in talking to me so they asked if my neighbour was Muslim and I said yes.

This happens alot so I can say the muslim community in Tinsley keep in touch with their families. They do have a few trouble makers but so does every community. I hope I am safe in saying that these guys in our area are OK but there is an atmostphere of tension developing.

A lot of these guys knocking on doors, chatting to the occupants and moving onto the next "muslim" house are usually collecting money. The brother hood thing is only a couple of pounds deep. They generally go around with an emotive script that works on some people for collecting donations for mosques or charities etc. I would compare them to insurance sales men because on leaving they always seek the next nearest address they can go to. Also like in every community some are genuine and yet others are doing it simply to line their own pockets in the name of God, and no doubt a good many just get turned away. The mosque being built at Wolsely Road for example is largely funded through such communal collections and also people going up and down the country knocking on doors of Muslims and asking for donations.

Thanks for the info, I will find out a little more tonight when I see Mo. Do you get a little magazine like the Awake one from the Jehova's Witnesses.

They seem to be coming around every other week at the moment so they must be collecting a fair packet.

For the most part, a bit of a pain realy, handing over your money is difficult at the best of times, relligious or not. Most people would give a small contribution just to get rid of them, but I guess it probably depends on how guilty they make you feel as to how much you end up giving.

Tell em to go away [or words to that effect] , same applies to every other scrounging religious group.

Originally posted by Nimrod
Tell em to go away [or words to that effect] , same applies to every other scrounging religious group.
mormons, jobos etc etc :P

I understood that Muslims are expected to give 2.5% of their savings to the needy - is it related to this?

Originally posted by Hadron
Thanks for the info, I will find out a little more tonight when I see Mo.

Where were we supposed to be meeting? ;)

Originally posted by dan_999uk
I understood that Muslims are expected to give 2.5% of their savings to the needy - is it related to this?

That is true and is indeed one of the pillars of the religion to give 2.5% of your savings, and is obligatory on every Muslim each year and forms the original welfare tax. There is a requirement however to make sure that whoever you give the money to is deserving of the help given. This system devised some 1400 years ago benefits many people even today. These days most would just work out how much they owe and give to charities that they are happy to trust (Some charities have been known to pass on as little as 20pence in the pound to needy and the rest is spent on administration).

People going around appealing for funds however, have to because religious institutions and or Mosques are not regarded as a part of the needy and you are required only to give if you can afford to. They literally do promise heaven and earth for a couple of quid.:)

That's interesting D_A_V. Do you know whether the money has to be spent on Muslims (or in practice always would be)? Maybe non-Muslims are by definition not "deserving"? I wonder whether Muslim people's donations to the tsunami appeals were only to be spent on Muslims?

you could end up funding further 'poor mis-guided souls' to a early grave when you contribute to their cause!

Originally posted by Hadron
Yesterday evening we were visited by a group of Muslims seeking Muslim brothers. As I wasn't a muslim they were not interested in talking to me so they asked if my neighbour was Muslim and I said yes.

This happens alot so I can say the muslim community in Tinsley keep in touch with their families. They do have a few trouble makers but so does every community. I hope I am safe in saying that these guys in our area are OK but there is an atmostphere of tension developing.

I thought it was mainly Jehovah's Witnesses that called around door to door. :suspect: hmm well personally i refuse to give to those who call door to door. if i wnat to give to charity i'll go down to the charity shop and do it myself. It annoys me that some people use their religion *by saying we'll go to hell etc* to get money out of people

Give them nothing as if you do give them money it might be used to kill more of us.

A good friend of mine is a Jehovas Witness & he is a good guy we discuss football not religion as he know's I am C of E,he leaves all the leaflets & I like the artwork done in them,but I have never been worried about a Jehovas Witness coming to my door,but in the light of the bombing's I would feel a little uneasy & I am no racist,each to his or her own religion.

Originally posted by CaptainSwing
That's interesting D_A_V. Do you know whether the money has to be spent on Muslims (or in practice always would be)? Maybe non-Muslims are by definition not "deserving"? I wonder whether Muslim people's donations to the tsunami appeals were only to be spent on Muslims?

It goes back to Islam not being a religion but a communal way of life where everyone is expected to lookout for their neibours welfare. No such written bar that charity must only be given to Muslims that I am aware of. As I did point out that its easier these days to hand money over to NGOs like Oxfam, or Saint Luke’s or similar as long as you feel your money will contribute in helping another human being less fortunate than yourself. The system works as a social net for the poor and destitute in some Muslim countries at times like the Christmas equivalent, the Eid as a season of goodwill etc. People knocking on doors and asking for donations however are a pain, leading to some dads sending their kids out to say they are not at home and so on.

Internetowl, you wrote," you could end up funding further 'poor mis-guided souls' to a early grave when you contribute to their cause!"

"Mis-guided" is indeed the operative word, I am certain you must be knowledgeable about many OTHER things though.

Originally posted by royjames
Give them nothing as if you do give them money it might be used to kill more of us.

Erm - mods i think a ban is in order after this comment. BNP by any chance?

Originally posted by royjames
Give them nothing as if you do give them money it might be used to kill more of us.

Now thats what I call tight, kills ya to give a bit of money for charity :hihi: Oxfam will love you.