The Confluence of Remittances and Transnational Islamic Charity

Abstract

While remittances have received much attention in recent decades, interest in transnational Islamic charity is limited. This is an intriguing paradox, as remittances and Islamic charity are both substantial private monetary flows. This chapter explores the confluence of remittances and transnational Islamic charity in the transnational social field spanning Norway and Pakistan. These monetary transfers to family and friends include business investments, emergency assistance, school fees, and Islamic alms. The chapter draws on 97 semi-structured interviews with migrants and their descendants, as well as focus groups with 52 participants in Norway and Pakistan. The concept of remittance scripts is utilized as an analytical tool to investigate the confluence of remittances and transnational Islamic charity. Applying remittance scripts to transnational Islamic charity underscores the salience of relational, emotional, and material aspects. It adds temporal dimensions, which allow for a fresh perspective on social practices that encompass transcendental considerations and intergenerational change.