MUSLIMS and RELIGIOUS SCHOLARS: Is charity welcome in Islam?

I'm not sure like you, but I think that usury (lending of money for a profit) is frowned upon. Mind you I think that they have special banks etc. that somehow get around this in some way (Muslims please forgive my laypersons answer because I don't know enough of your culture and since 9/11 my interest has only been met with hostility by non-Islamic people. I'd really like to experience your religion but I fear prejudice even though I have Turkish genetics that people ume I'm Sicilian or Greek when I speak) I'm dark skinned and dark haired