Afghanistan, UNHCR Provides Earthquake Resilient Houses To The Families Affected By The June 2022 Earthquake In Barmal District Of Paktika Province; Each House Will Have Solar Lighting, Bukhari Stove And A Latrine.

Australia for UNHCR's Islamic Philanthropy program works with a range of supporters and partners to assist vulnerable refugees and displaced people. You can dedicate your Zakat, Sadaqah and other forms of donations to support refugees through our program. 

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Zakat Donations

All Zakat funds received are strictly dedicated to compliant cash assistance programs.

Dedicate your Zakat

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Sadaqah Donations

Your Sadaqah is an act of solidarity with community that is in need of our collective support.

Dedicate your Sadaqah

Rohingya refugee Ayesha cares for her younger brother and sister in a Cox’s Bazar refugee settlement.
Ramadan

Share the blessings of the holy month of Ramadan with people who have been forced to flee their homes.

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UNHCR's Refugee Zakat Fund

Credible. Sharia Compliant. Effective.

UNHCR’s Refugee Zakat Fund is a trusted, Sharia compliant and effective distributor maximising the power of Zakat to transform the lives of refugees, including in hard-to-reach areas.

UNHCR ensures 100% of Zakat funds are distributed to those most in need by covering overhead costs from non-Zakat sources. This ensures Zakat contributions are given to the most vulnerable, eligible recipients in critical need.

UNHCR’s Refugee Zakat Fund supports vulnerable families by providing them with cash assistance, empowering them to gain financial independence and meet their essential needs. The fund follows rigorous governance tools and is monitored to ensure transparency at every stage. This governance approach entails the following pillars:

Zakat Compliance

  • Scholars: the Fund is Zakat compliant, backed by ten fatwas from credible scholars and institutions.
  • Infrastructure: follows fatwa recommendations by dedicating 100% of funds to refugees eligible for Zakat.
  • Compliance review: annual third-party field visits to oversee distribution and publish compliance reports.
  • Donor centric: the destination of Zakat funds is determined by the Zakat donor/partner at the onset of the partnership

Assessment and Monitoring

  • Vulnerability assessment framework: to identify eligible recipients, updated on a yearly basis.
  • Innovation: use of technology in distribution, to increase efficiency and minimize fraud and duplication.
  • Post distribution monitoring: twice a year, to measure impact and improve implementation.

Financial Governance

  • Management & accountability: funds are kept in a dedicated interest-free bank account in Geneva.
  • Traceability: all funds are dedicated to Zakat compliant cash assistance programmes in identified countries with critical needs.
  • Transparency: UNHCR publishes annual Zakat reports, and partners are provided with customized reports.

Sadaqah and Sadaqah Jariyah

Sadaqah, or voluntary charity, supports the well-being of those in need and ensures a better life for refugees and displaced people, providing them with healthcare and education services, as well as livelihood opportunities.

Sadaqah Jariyah is an act of continuous charity; one that will benefit both the person who gives aid to those in need and the one who receives help, even beyond their lifetimes. Some of the projects that fall under Sadaqah Jariyah include the provision of shelter kits, rehabilitation of schools or installation of wells, which all have a sustainable impact on the lives of refugees and displaced people. They provide continued critical assistance to those in need. Sadaqah Jariyah can also be given on behalf of loved ones that have passed away.

Afghanistan. UNHCR Provides Earthquake Resilient Houses For Families In Paktika

Islamic Philanthropy Reports

Read UNHCR's Islamic Philanthropy Annual Reports on the impact of the Refugee Zakat Fund. In 2022, the fund supported over 1.2 million beneficiaries among displaced populations.

Ambassadors

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Raja Yassine

Islamic Philanthropy Ambassador

Raja Yassine is a passionate advocate and supporter of young refugees from minority communities. Starting her career in teaching, Raja now works as a Scholarship Coordinator at Newington College where she assists young refugees with gaining access to education.

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Peter Gould

Islamic Philanthropy Ambassador

Peter Gould is a leading creative designer. His creative studio team use design, research and a deep understanding of Muslim audiences to help purpose-driven organisations create brands and experiences for a more inclusive and representative world – and he credits his personal spiritual journey as a major influence.

Get in touch

Charbel Ghattas

Charbel Ghattas

Philanthropy Manager

Australia for UNHCR's Islamic Philanthropy program works with a range of supporters and partners to assist vulnerable refugees and displaced people. You can dedicate your Zakat, Sadaqah and other forms of donations to support refugees through our program.

Your gifts can provide cash assistance, shelter, emergency supplies such as blankets and hygiene kits, and protection services for people escaping conflict, disaster and persecution.

If you would like to know more about our Islamic Philanthropy program, or would like to make a donation, please do not hesitate to contact me today.

Islamic Relief Australia

Australia for UNHCR and Islamic Relief Australia are working as partners in their respective areas of expertise and networks of generous Australian donors, corporates and civil society to raise much-needed funds for UNHCR’s emergency assistance and humanitarian relief programs.

Joint projects and initiatives that acknowledge Islamic charitable giving practices will be identified and developed to raise awareness about the situation and needs of refugees worldwide and connect the Islamic and wider Australian community in support of the 100 million people displaced globally.

FAQs

What is Zakat?

Zakat is the Arabic term for a donation required by all Muslims as one of the Five Pillars of Islam. Zakat is often given from specific sources of wealth including different forms of funds, livestock, savings, trade goods, crops, and minerals, and given to special categories of recipients.

What is Sadaqah and Sadaqah Jariyah?

Sadaqah, or voluntary charity, supports the well-being of those in need and ensures a better life for refugees and displaced people, providing them with healthcare and education services, as well as livelihood opportunities.

Sadaqah Jariyah is an act of continuous charity; one that will benefit both the person who gives aid to those in need and the one who receives help, even beyond their lifetimes. Some the projects that fall under Sadaqah Jariyah include the provision of shelter kits, rehabilitation of schools or installation of wells, which all have a sustainable impact on the lives of refugees and displaced people. They provide continued critical assistance to those in need. Sadaqah Jariyah can also be given on behalf of loved ones that have passed away.

Why dedicate Zakat or Sadaqah to UNHCR?

Sixty percent of refugees and internally displaced people are from predominantly Muslim regions, and the humanitarian needs in these areas are increasing.

UNHCR's Zakat Fund is a trusted agent to facilitate providing resources to the most vulnerable families, as it is Zakat compliant and backed by fatwas from leading scholars and institutions.

With the need for support greater than ever, UNHCR ensures 100% of Zakat contributions are delivered directly to eligible refugees and displaced families.

How is my Zakat spent?

Your dedicated Zakat will provide essential support to eligible refugees and forcibly displaced families in dire need. 

UNHCR’s Refugee Zakat Fund will distribute 100% of the Zakat you donate to countries in need: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mauritania, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Rohingya people, Syria and Yemen.

How was the UNHCR Refugee Zakat Fund established?

In 2017 and 2018, UNHCR directed the receipt of $14.4M Zakat funds to assist approximately 7,000 families in Jordan and Lebanon.

As a result of this, UNHCR launched the Refugee Zakat Fund in 2019. It is now a credible, Sharia compliant and a pioneering structure of Zakat funds which is transforming the lives of refugees.

What is the 100% Zakat policy?

The Refugee Zakat Fund follows a 100% Zakat policy, meaning there will be no overhead or operational costs associated with donations to the Fund.

The Fund enables UNHCR to provide cash assistance to refugees, which reduces overhead costs, ensures 100% accountability and immediate assistance.

Other overhead costs, such as bank transfer fees, will be covered from other sources of funding to UNHCR and not be used by the Refugee Zakat Fund. 

Does UNHCR provide Refugee Zakat Fund reports?

Yes, UNHCR reports twice a year on the impact of Zakat and Sadaqah collections through the Refugee Zakat Fund.

You can read UNHCR's Islamic Philanthropy reports online

What is Ramadan?

The Holy Month of Ramadan is one of the most sacred and blessed times for Muslims around the world. It is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, where Muslims observe “siyam” or fasting (one of the Five Pillars of Islam), prayer, gratitude to Allah (SWT) and giving. 

How can I help refugees this Ramadan?

Every year during the Holy month of Ramadan, UNHCR asks for support and generosity to help refugees and internally displaced people in need.

By contributing to the Refugee Zakat Fund and UNHCR Sadaqah programs, you can provide cash assistance, core relief items, life-saving health care and emergency shelter assistance to millions of brothers and sisters who need it. This Ramadan, whether through Sadaqah or Zakat, we encourage you to share the blessings of the Holy month.

Other ways to give

Tanzania. New Shelters Built In Nduta Camp To Accommodate Relocated Refugees Copy
Philanthropy

A major gift can help UNHCR protect vulnerable people fleeing conflict or disaster

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Regular Giving

Join our emergency response team and maximise your impact as a regular giver 

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Gifts in Wills

Leaving a gift in your Will can help UNHCR provide lifesaving aid beyond your lifetime

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