Guarding a Sacred Trust
Muslim Nonprofit Management for Post-911 World
by
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THE NEW MUSLIM nonprofit in America is easily among the most innovative and harrowing stories in contemporary philanthropy. Yet scholars and thought leaders in the field have paid it less than scant attention… Since September 11, with no more need than to intone the magic word “terror,” the authorities have brought down the most significant Muslim charitable organizations in the country upon the heads of their directors and staff. Casting, then, their lidless eye upon the immensely poor-loving and affliction-conscious American Muslim community, they nearly chilled the blessed benevolence right out of its members’ hearts…. that is the reason for this book: To nurture against ill winds the unfailing breath of goodness and goodwill in Muslims that their religion, Islam, has blown into them and enjoined them with as a matter of faith; to organize and enhance that irrepressible “human” spirit to foster the wellbeing of all the world’s deserving neglected and direly needful…
What good does it do America, for instance, to reflexively take down its native Muslim charities, when, in fact, they were among the greatest public relations assets it had throughout the Muslim world? Muslim humanitarian organizations, for example, delivered with every dollar, dug well, and dole of food to the stricken, the thirsty, the hungry the tangible, “tasteable” message that America cares, America shares, America is fair. Not with a thousand secretaries of public diplomacy and affairs, or a hundred television stations could the country deliver even a single believable message that compares in worth or effect.
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About the Book
Our organizations emerged just decades ago as the remarkable coalescing of two blessings: An enlightened dimension of Western civilization, the nonprofit, and an outpouring of goodness engendered in Muslims by Islam. Wherever it flowed, this wondrous blend gained vigor and left new life in its immensely fertile wake. It behooves us all to think for a moment about the fruitfulness of this union. Its possibility is practically and spiritually exhilarating. However, in the aftermath of the tragedy of September 11, 2001, the nonprofit world changed forever and all Muslim nonprofits found themselves under intense scrutiny with their operations being under a cloud of suspicion.
Thought-provoking and groundbreaking, Guarding a Sacred Trust is essential reading for anyone interested in learning how Muslim nonprofits function and to upgrade to an effective organization. This 481-page book, with 41 chapters, addresses every aspect of nonprofit organizational development, especially in the aftermath of 911.
This book is the culmination of the authors’ combined four decades of experience in volunteering for, working in, leading, founding, consulting, and growing a variety of nonprofit organizations in America. But it is not meant only for Muslims and Americans. It aims to serve everyone who wants to institutionalize his or her passion, or who yearns to upgrade and raise the professional quality with which they and their existing nonprofit groups function. It is directed to institutional leaders, managers, and philanthropy professionals, but any nonprofit employee, volunteer, or supporter will find a storehouse of education catalogued in its pages.
About the Author
About Mohamad Chehade:
Dr. Chehade has served in different capacities as director, board member, manager, and consultant at various nonprofit organizations for over 20 years. He also delivers seminars to nonprofit staff and professionals to enhance their leadership and management effectiveness, and provides effective consulting solutions for many nonprofit organizations. His training and consulting focus on strategic planning, organizational development, human and financial resources development, marketing and branding, and public relations. He has worked on research studies and writings regarding Muslim philanthropy in the US and community-based Muslim organizations.
About Khalil Jassemm
Dr. Jassemm taught in several colleges and universities in the US and abroad. He is the founder of LIFE for Relief and Development; an international nonprofit organization based in Southfield, Michigan and acted as its President for 16 years. With over 18 years of experience in the field of International Humanitarian, he was one of few Muslims who were elected to the board of InterAction; the largest umbrella of American International Humanitarian Organizations. Dr. Jassemm is recognized as one of the top leaders of the Muslim and Arab community in the US. In this capacity, he has been interviewed by a number of print and electronic media outlets in the US and abroad.
Dr. Jassemm with Dr. Mohamad Chehade established Institute for Excellence in Nonprofit Leadership and Management. Dr. Jassemm is the Author of the “Islamic Perspective on Charity” a comprehensive Guideline on how to run a Muslim Nonprofit in the States.