Islamic Philanthropy
Mid-Year Report
2025

Dear Reader,

Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh,

I write to you at a time when our organization – like many others – has been forced to make difficult decisions about our essential aid programmes. This year has been one of the most challenging in recent memory for humanitarian organizations.

As crises driven by conflict and instability continue to grow, so too do the needs of those displaced. Yet, this rising demand has been met with a severe funding shortfall, leaving millions at risk and forcing us to scale back life-saving assistance.

UNHCR estimates that nearly 11.6 million refugees and displaced persons could lose access to essential humanitarian assistance in 2025. UNHCR has been forced to reduce the scale of its operations by almost one third. The implications of these cuts are, quite literally, life threatening. Every region and every sector have been affected, from education and health to protection and shelter. Refugee families now face impossible choices every day: whether to feed their children, pay their rent, or buy urgently needed medicine.

Yet even in this time of immense difficulty, our commitment as humanitarians remains steadfast. We continue to seek innovative and sustainable ways to bridge the widening gap between rising needs and shrinking resources. The Refugee Zakat Fund stands out as a powerful source of hope.

Despite the harsh reality, it is thanks to the compassion and generosity of donors like you that we can continue this vital work and are able to reach families in dire need and offer them much needed relief. Since its establishment in 2017, the Fund has supported more than 9.2 million refugees and internally displaced people in 33 countries, a remarkable achievement. Yet the potential remains far greater. By activating the vast untapped resources of Islamic giving and expanding Sharia-compliant investment tools, we can provide complementary and sustainable funding for life saving humanitarian programmes.

This report continues to be a testament to the power of Islamic philanthropy as a driver of sustainable development. The report not only presents key facts and figures but also brings to life the impact of the Refugee Zakat Fund through compelling human stories – reminding us why our work matters. They are stories of faith, resilience, and hope amidst hardship.

On behalf of our entire team, I extend my deepest gratitude for your trust and support. Together, we can continue delivering lifesaving assistance to families who need it most.

Sincerely,
Dr. Khaled Khalifa