The International Islamic Fiqh Academy (IIFA), which serves as UNHCR’s Zakat Board, has renewed its endorsement of the Refugee Zakat Fund following a review of UNHCR’s Zakat programme.

The review builds on IIFA’s earlier fatwa, issued in 2020, endorsing UNHCR’s approach to the collection and distribution of Zakat funds for eligible refugees and internally displaced people.

Following the review, H. E. Prof. Dr Koutoub Sano, Secretary-General of IIFA, recognised the Fund’s “strong governance practices” and commended UNHCR’s “due diligence in ensuring that UNHCR’s operations remain compliant with the principles of Shariah.”

This marks the first review conducted since IIFA and UNHCR agreed last year that the Academy would serve as UNHCR’s Zakat Board, providing an additional layer of independent Shariah oversight to the Refugee Zakat Fund.

The renewed endorsement represents an important milestone in UNHCR’s continued efforts to strengthen the governance, transparency and Sharia compliance of its Islamic philanthropy programme, ensuring Zakat donors and partners that their contributions are managed in accordance with Zakat specific requirements.