Culture is the language of a nation - its books, poetry and traditions. In order for two nations to engage in a fruitful discussion, it is important for both to understand the other side's culture and moreover, respect it. Samuel Huntington's cultural civilizations cannot communicate with one another because they don't know or try to understand the other's cultural norms.
The importance of cultural perception pertains to states and their strategies to combat terrorism financing. Cultural differences are also present in the nefarious use of charitable organizations by terrorist groups. Muslim terrorist groups ascribe to the concept of Jihad bil-Mal (financial Jihad against the infidels) and therefore justify this misuse. The same principle also gives religious rationalization to the practice of establishing new charitable organizations in order to funnel charitable funds for terrorist purposes such as buying weapons or training of fighters.
All current counter-financing terrorism strategies are geared toward countering money-laundering, and do not prevent terrorists from misusing charitable organizations. Money-laundering counter-strategies cope with the practical matters of terrorist groups funneling money and do not consider any cultural aspects. The existing strategies are not able to address unique cultural elements such as traditional financial systems as Hawala or Islamic banks, which leave no visible paper trail. Therefore, a cultural shift in strategy is needed.
Every strategy that seeks to counter the misuse of charitable organizations by terrorist groups should consider Muslim and Arab cultural norms. The charity in question, Zakat, is one of the five pillars of Islam (in addition to faith- shahada, prayer- salat, annual fasting during the month of Ramadan- sawm, and the once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage to Mecca- hajj). This is a sacred religious requirement and should be honored by the West. Honor is the key word in Muslim and Arab culture, and every individual's deed is evaluated by the honor it brings to himself, his family, his town or his nation.
The condescending attitude of Western, particularly American, law enforcement agencies creates hostility in Muslim communities regarding the counter-financing terrorism campaign. Consequently, these communities are not willing to cooperate with authorities, the "outsiders."
It is not unlikely that if Muslim communities in Western countries felt appreciated and honored, a fruitful cooperation could emerge to the benefit of both parties. Counter-strategies should focus culturally on charitable organizations rather than financially; the campaign should be Arab-Muslim-oriented, and most essentially, led by Muslim leaders from every country. No success can be achieved without the cooperation of Muslim communities.
A culturally focused strategy might serve as more a deterrent than the currently existing strategies. A successful campaign explaining the disadvantages and consequences of contributing Zakat funds to terrorism could dissuade charitable organizations from cooperate with terrorists. In this way, even when charitable organizations and terrorist groups have proximity to each other (e.g. war zones), charitable organizations might resist the influence of the terrorist group. All this assumes that the charitable organizations are able to choose their own path.
The lack of transparency of Muslim charitable organizations is the biggest obstacle to overcome, and thus an Achilles Heel of any counter-strategy. There are many charitable organizations that have no connection to terrorism. Therefore, it is essential to institute a campaign explaining the importance of transparency, both of the organization and the donor, in order to clear any accusation of connections to terrorist groups.
Some might argue that a culturally oriented campaign for counter- financing terrorism is naïve, but it could help where existing policies have failed. Current strategies cannot prevent the misuse of charitable organizations.
Who knows, it might work.
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