In March, UNHCR launched its 5th Islamic Philanthropy Annual Report, showcasing the impact of UNHCR’s Refugee Zakat Fund since 2017. Over 6 million refugees and IDPs in 26 countries have benefited from Zakat and Sadaqah contributions. With over 100 million forcibly displaced worldwide, more than half from OIC-member countries, this support is crucial. 

The report was launched in Jakarta, Doha, and Dubai.

In Jakarta, over 100 representatives from local organizations and media attended the launch. Speakers from regional organizations, including CIMB Bank and MAIWP (Malaysia), Rahmatan lil Alameen Foundation (Singapore), and Human Initiative and ZIS Indosat (Indonesia) joined UNHCR representatives to discuss the impact of Islamic social finance on vulnerable refugees and internally displaced people.

In Doha, UNHCR launched its report in collaboration with H.E. Sheikh Thani bin Abdullah bin Thani Al Thani, at the Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies. The panel discussion featured prominent Islamic scholars and executives from humanitarian organizations, including Eid Charity. They explored the importance of partnerships between Islamic organizations and UN agencies like UNHCR to maximize Islamic philanthropy’s impact on humanitarian response.

Lastly, in Dubai, the report was launched in partnership with Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair Refugee Education Fund. Attended by over 100 people, the event featured keynote speeches by Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair, chairman of Mashreq Bank, and Khaled Khalifa, senior advisor to the High Commissioner and UNHCR Representative to GCC countries, and a panel discussion on strategic Islamic philanthropy’s role in humanitarian response. CNN Arabic’s Dr. Caroline Faraj moderated the panel, which included leading executives from the Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair Refugee Education Fund, Sheikh Abdullah Al Nouri Charity Society, and UNHCR.