A British Islamic charity is urging local Muslims to fulfill their religious charity obligation by giving money to help the poor within the country rather than sending it abroad, the Guardian reports.

The Zakat—the 2.5 percent of wealth above a certain threshold that Muslims are called upon to give to the needy each year—“is meant to be given locally,” said Azim Kidwai, general manager of Mercy Mission UK, an Islamic charity that encourages Muslims to get involved locally. Many Muslims pay Zakat during Ramadan, the holy month that ends next week.

Other faith charities, such as Muslim Aid and Islamic Relief UK, are urging that Zakat be paid to international organizations to help flood victims in Pakistan, the mother country of 43 percent of British Muslims. Mr. Kidwai said Muslims should give beyond the 2.5-percent threshold to support flood relief but that Zakat should be used “to reach out to the poor right here.”