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A litmus test of a healthy civil society, says Sir Tom, is when half the country’s adult population gives their time for something they are not paid for, in any week, month or year.
Some countries are doing better than others, such as the Scandinavian countries, the United States and India, and religious societies are often “very good” at this, he says.
He [Sir Tom Shebbeare, is Director of Charities to His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales] commends the Muslim community for its systematic way of raising funds through Zakat, the third pillar of Islam which calls for the giving of a fixed portion of one’s wealth to charity. He enthuses over how the Ismaili Muslim community – with its keen ability to balance between business and not-for-profit – has set up the best hospitals, hostels and schools in Pakistan.
via TODAYonline | Sunday | The St Regis Perspectives | A do-gooder to his bones.
Ismailimail 