Muslim charitable organisation : a case study of Darul Aehsan Foundation, Bangphlat District, Bangkok

Abstract

Muslim charitable organisations have proved their significant role in the development of societies, especially in Muslim minority countries. However, they face the issues of organisation classification, transparency, information disclosure, and collection, distribution and fund allocation performance. This case study attempts to scrutinise the organisational structure and classification of the Darul Aehsan Foundation. Moreover, it seeks to describe the collection process, the distribution process, and the fund allocation process of the social fund of the Darul Aehsan Foundation. The institution is located in the Bangphlat district of Bangkok. It should be highlighted that the organisation is considered one of the oldest Muslim charitable organisations in the area. The study was conducted using qualitative research methods. Archival documentary survey and preliminary observation are the two main research instruments. The documentary study examined the previous literature concerning non-profit organisations in Thailand, Muslim charitable organisations, and the Darul Aehsan Foundation. It also examined the official and unofficial annual reports as well as the documents relating to the foundation projects. The preliminary survey, on the other hand, included interviews with office staff and discussion of the issues with the resources staff member in charge of the projects. The study discovered some challenges such as the absence of agreed definitions and classifications of Muslim charitable organisations in Thailand, as well as the issue of transparency and information disclosure. In terms of the Darul Aehsan Foundation, the study successfully identified the classification of the organisation. Moreover, the findings highlight the lacunae in committee board efficacy as well as effective fund collection, distribution, and allocation decision-making. It also concludes that the issues of transparency and information disclosure are still the main issues of the foundation and shall be taken into consideration in order to improve the overall organisational performance.