Embedded giving: Muslim philanthropy in South Africa

Muslim philanthropy in South Africa is not a homogenous concept. This chapter reflects on how (i) the heterogeneity of the histories, cultures, and contexts of the Muslim communities in South Africa results in multiple narratives of Muslim philanthropy, (ii) Muslim philanthropy in South Africa is primarily an embedded practice, entwined in religious and cultural interactions - and rarely externally incentivized or motivated, and (3) practical expressions of Muslim philanthropy are significantly broader than what is acknowledged as “philanthropy” in Western discourse. The chapter further explores some basic elements of the direction and scope of Muslim philanthropy at individual and institutional levels, recognizing that what we know is limited in relation to what exists, and highlighting questions and issues that require comprehensive empirical exploration.