Muslim women who are registered to vote are more likely to donate money and volunteer than nonvoters

Having compassion toward people in need is a top motivation for this demographic group to give. Mohammed Elshamy/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Civic engagement – including volunteering and registering to vote – rather than religiosity was more correlated with giving by Muslim American women, according to research we conducted with our colleagues at the Muslim Philanthropy Initiative.

All Muslims are supposed to contribute zakat, an obligatory form of giving. To meet this obligation, Muslims are required to give 2.5% of their surplus wealth to charities every year.