World Refugee Day Dinner at the Ismaili Centre in Dubai

On June 21st, in collaboration with UNHCR, the Ismaili Centre in Dubai hosted a dinner in observance of World Refugee Day. This event brought together prominent members of the Ismaili community and fostered engaging conversations about the global displacement crisis. The dinner event featured a significant panel discussion that featured representatives from both UNHCR and the Aga Khan Development Network. Our very own Houssam Chahine was a key participant in this conversation, where he provided detailed insights into the global

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UNHCR Launches 5th Islamic Philanthropy Annual Report in Jakarta, Doha, and Dubai

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

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Egypt’s Al-Azhar joins UNHCR in its global Ramadan campaign supporting refugees

The Islamic Research Academy of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif has joined forces with UNHCR in its ongoing Ramadan campaign. This collaboration aims to provide urgent relief to forcibly displaced people amid escalating humanitarian crises. Dr. Nazir Ayyad, Secretary General of the Islamic Research Academy, mentioned that this is the second joint campaign with UNHCR, focusing on raising awareness about the suffering of vulnerable refugees and internally displaced people (IDPs) and urging international support. The campaign will showcase human stories, highlighting the experiences

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UNHCR: Islamic giving plays increasing role in helping the forcibly displaced

This is a summary of what was said by Khaled Khalifa, Senior Advisor to the High Commissioner and UNHCR Representative to Gulf Cooperation Council Countries – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today’s press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. At the start of the holy month of Ramadan, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is launching its 5th Islamic Philanthropy Annual Report, which shows the power and growing potential of Islamic giving to save lives and

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UNHCR report: Refugee Zakat Fund helps around 6 million forcibly displaced people since its establishment

UNHCR Launches Islamic Philanthropy Report at Joint Event with Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair Refugee Education Fund The beneficiaries included more than 1.5 million refugees and internally displaced people who were assisted in 2022 UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency launched its Islamic Philanthropy annual report today at a joint event in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in partnership with Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair Refugee Education Fund. The report highlights the importance of utilizing Islamic Philanthropy tools and their role in responding to

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Emergency: Devastating Earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria 

On February 6, 2023, two powerful earthquakes (with a magnitude of 7.7 and 7.5 on the Richter scale) struck Türkiye and Syria, also affecting other countries, causing widespread destruction and exacerbating the already dire humanitarian situation in the region.   The disaster has affected tens of thousands of people – with reports that thousands have lost their lives. UNHCR is working around the clock to respond to the needs of those affected by the earthquake. In Syria, together with its partners,

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1.2 Million People Benefited from Zakat and Sadaqah Funds

On October 12th 2022, UNHCR launched its Islamic Philanthropy Mid-Year Report 2022 in partnership with Zakat House of Kuwait. The report highlights the impact of Zakat and Sadaqah funds received by UNHCR through the Refugee Zakat Fund during the first half of this year. You can now watch a video clip that summarizes the report’s key highlights and shows the number of refugee and internally displaced beneficiaries in 20 countries across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East – whose total number

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International Islamic Fiqh Academy, Al Azhar Islamic Research Academy, and Islamic Fiqh Council renew confidence in UNHCR’s Refugee Zakat Fund

In a meeting held at the headquarters of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy (IIFA) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, UNHCR and IIFA agreed to set-up an annual joint mechanism to verify compliance of the Refugee Zakat Fund with Zakat conditions. The meeting was also attended by several reputable jurisprudential bodies, including Secretary Generals of the Muslim World League’s Islamic Fiqh Council, Al Azhar Islamic Research Academy, and the Tabah Foundation for Research and Consultancy. All attendees confirmed IIFA’s coordination role in

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In Ramadan, Every Gift Counts in Making an Impact in the Lives of Refugees

Let’s join hands to help displaced families secure food Today, refugee and internally displaced families are going through difficult conditions. This has forced such families to make desperate decisions in prioritizing monthly expenses, including medicine and healthcare, which often means they have to procure less meals for themselves and loved ones. UNHCR is working tirelessly to implement cash assistance programmes targeting most vulnerable refugee and internally displaced families, including families of widows and orphans, to help them secure immediate needs

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