Muslim Americans gave an estimated $1.8 billion in zakat, or charity, in 2021, according to a report. 

The average Muslim gave $2,070 in zakat, one of the five pillars of Islam, according to the report released last week by the Muslim Philanthropy Initiative at Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at IUPUI.

The report shows American Muslims are more apt to view zakat as an act of philanthropy or charity rather than as a tax imposed by religious authorities.

Shariq Siddiqui, the director of the Muslim Philanthropy Initiative, said much of the figure was donated during the month of Ramadan.

"It is critical that nonprofit organizations and charities find meaningful ways to engage with Muslim-American donors around Ramadan," said Siddiqui.

The biggest beneficiaries of charity were international nonprofits, which received 25.3% of all zakat funds, according to the report./aa