Engagement Activities

As UNHCR continues to respond to displacement crises unfolding globally, our work is not complete without the support of our committed partners that help us amplify the stories of refugees. By using their strong voice and influence, our prominent supporters regularly advocate for refugee rights, raise awareness about the key role Islamic philanthropy plays in supporting displaced families, and fundraise for the Refugee Zakat Fund.  

This year, we partnered with some of the strongest names in the arts and nasheed industry to support refugee and internally displaced families and highlight UNHCR’s fundraising campaigns. Among our key supporters are international renowned singers Maher Zain and Mostafa Atef.  

In March 2024, our prominent supporter Mostafa Atef embarked on a field visit to Jordan to highlight the protracted plight of Syrian refugees and fundraise for UNHCR’s global Ramadan campaign and Refugee Zakat Fund. During his mission, Mostafa Atef visited Syrian refugee families living in urban settings. He listened to their stories, worries, and dreams. He also visited UNHCR’s offices, met with UNHCR’s officials and was thoroughly briefed on UNHCR’s cash assistance program. 

Following his visit, Mostafa Atef used his influence and public platforms to advocate and fundraise for refugee families. His call for action contributed to supporting over 1,600 refugee families. 

In April 2024, UNHCR’s High Profile supporter Maher Zain visited our operation in Egypt to highlight the one-year mark of the Sudan crisis. During his visit he visited UNHCR’s registration center, where he was briefed on the registration and protection process and met with newly arrived Sudanese refugee families.  

He also visited a community center, where he met with a group of Sudanese refugees, and heard first-hand the harrowing stories of their displacement and journey to refuge in Egypt. 

Maher Zain also met with UNHCR’s representative in Egypt Dr. Hanan Hamdan and discussed his support and commitment to the refugee cause.  

Prior to his visit to Egypt, and earlier during the year, Maher Zain also supported UNHCR’s global Ramadan campaign and called on his community to support and give their Zakat to refugees, helping support over 1,500 refugee families.   

In September 2024, renowned influencer Mostafa Atef took a powerful stand for displaced families that had suffered from the devastating war in Lebanon. Using his extensive reach across public platforms, Atef passionately advocated for urgent humanitarian aid, raising both awareness and funds for those desperately in need. His trust in UNHCR’s mission to provide life-saving assistance to vulnerable families in Lebanon led him to rally his community to support the emergency relief efforts.