A Click Away From Changing Millions Of Lives This Ramadan

With open hearts, glowing lanterns and delicious feasts, Muslims all around the world welcome Ramadan every year. The holy month, during which the Qur’an was revealed in, is dedicated for fasting, worshiping and charitable giving. One form of charitable giving is Zakat, which is also one of the five pillars of Islam. The act of giving Zakat not only purifies the contributor’s heart from selfishness and greed, but it also helps the poor and uplifts the entire community. What is

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UNHCR releases its annual report on Islamic philanthropy in collaboration with The International Islamic Fiqh Academy in Jeddah

UNHCR’s Refugee Zakat Fund received more than US$ 35 million through Zakat, Sadaqah, and Sadaqah Jariyah donations in 2021, helping 1,275,000 refugees and internally displaced people in 14 countries. UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, held a joint event today in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in collaboration with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)’s International Islamic Fiqh Academy (IIFA). As part of the event titled “Islamic Philanthropy and its impact: sustainable partnerships and practical solutions”, UNHCR launched its “Islamic Philanthropy

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Do you know a girl called Falmata?

When we think of Falmata, the word that first comes to mind is “perseverance.” At only 12 years old, Falmata has faced tremendous hardship in her short life, yet she remains optimistic and headstrong in her plans for the future.  Having lost her father at the hands of a violent extremist group and her grandmother and mother during displacement, Falmata has lived without a family for most of her life. Like many other separated and displaced children, Falmata has had

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Islamic social finance has a bigger humanitarian role

Islamic finance is used towards contributing to environmental, social, and humanitarian projects, in line with the spirit of Islam. Hundreds of financial institutions are involved in Shariah-compliant transactions, making Islamic finance an established and recognised industry around the world. Its assets were estimated at $2.88 trillion in 2019 and are expected to reach $3.69 trillion in 2024. The growth of the industry fostered an increasing interest in developing Islamic social financial (ISF) tools, where Islamic finance is used towards contributing

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Your Zakat Matters the Most to Um Abdullah and Her Son

Um Abdullah, is a mother who sacrificed everything to care for her son. She lost her husband back in Syria and had to care for their only child alone. She spent many nights worrying and crying and unfortunately lost her sight. Now she relies on thirteen-year-old Abdullah to help her to survive. ‘Abdullah means the world to me… I am alive because of my son”, she expressed wholeheartedly. Abdullah’s whole life has been transformed since the war started. He told

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How is Fatima Spending Ramadan in Kutupalong Refugee Camp?

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh are particularly vulnerable as many families live in one room inside already overcrowded camps. Many families are scared. Fatima is a refugee who lost her husband in Myanmar. She walked for days carrying her children across mountains and rivers to eventually reach safety in Kutupalong refugee camp. “We don’t have any money…so it’s a problem to have enough food.” Fatima told us. Mothers like Fatima rely on aid to survive away from

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First pledge of 1 million NGN to Nigeria’s Refugee and IDP Zakat Fund comes from the Sokoto State Zakat and Endowment Commission (SOZECOM)

On 8 April 2021, the UNHCR Refugee and IDP Zakat Fund was officially launched at a press briefing held in Abuja, Nigeria which brought together government officials, Muslim community, business leaders and UNHCR. At the launch, Alhaji Muhammad Lawal Maidoki, the Executive Chairman Sokoto State Zakat and Endowment Commission (SOZECOM) shared his commitment to alleviate the suffering of Nigeria’s most vulnerable internally displaced families and pledged NGN 1,000,000 from SOZECOM to the Refugee and IDP Zakat Fund. “We Muslims have

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Al-Azhar’s Islamic Research Academy launches “30 Days of Kindness”, its first global initiative to support refugees and displaced people in cooperation with UNHCR

The Islamic Research Academy at Al-Azhar Al-Sharif announced its first global advocacy initiative in collaboration with the UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, to inspire kindness and support to the most vulnerable displaced persons over the winter months. This initiative comes with the onset of winter and worsening economic crisis exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, adding to the challenges faced by over 3.8 million refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in dire need of assistance. The initiative, titled “30 Days of Kindness”, is being launched under the guidance of His Eminence Dr. Ahmad Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, as part of his support for Al-Azhar’s humanitarian role at the regional and

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Innovative Solutions for Addressing Global Development Needs: Harnessing the Power of Islamic Philanthropy & Zakat 10 October 2020

Session Brief As part of the C20 Summit hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia this year, UNHCR organized a panel discussion which highlighted pioneering and innovative approaches in harnessing the power of Islamic Philanthropy to address education, employment, infrastructure and related needs globally. A total of 72 participants from around the world signed up for the event and around 900 participated across all platforms of the C20 Summit during the day. The event speakers were Dr. Saleh Suleman Al-Wohaibi,

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