Ramadan
It took seconds for the lives of millions of refugees to change. And it takes a second to share the blessings of Ramadan with a family who lost everything. This Ramadan, #EveryGiftCounts.
Photo: © UNHCR/Antwan Chnkdji
As Muslims gather in their homes around the world, many refugee families are observing the holy month of Ramadan away from their homes. Your support this Ramadan will be a symbol of solidarity and hope to refugees and displaced people worldwide.
This Ramadan, whether through Sadaqah or Zakat, we ask for your help to share the blessings of the Holy month. Share the blessings of Ramadan today. #EveryGiftCounts
Your Zakat
Through its Refugee Zakat Fund, UNHCR has become the first major agency of its type to provide an efficient, trusted route for people to fulfil their giving obligations. All Zakat funds received by UNHCR are strictly dedicated to compliant cash assistance programs, which complements other aid provided by UNHCR.
Zakat Calculator
As the third pillar of Islam, Zakat is mandatory for adult Muslims who fall over the threshold of Nisab. Use our Zakat calculator to quickly determine how much you should give. Calculate your Zakat based on currency, including gold, silver, cash or stocks.
UNHCR’s Zakat Fund is a trusted, compliant and effective distributor harnessing the power of Zakat to transform the lives of refugees, including in hard-to-reach areas.
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UNHCR’s Refugee Zakat Fund is Zakat compliant, backed by fatwas from leading scholars and institutions, including the Canadian Council of Imams (CCIM)
- The majority of today’s refugees and IDPs, some 60% are eligible to receive Zakat, as they fall under 4 out of 8 categories mentioned in the Quran (9:60):
- Poor (Al Foqara’)
- Needy (Al Masakeen)
- Debtors (Al Gharimin)
- Wayfarers (Abna’ Al Sabeel)
- All Zakat donations are received in a dedicated interest-free bank account.
- How are families selected?
- Zakat money is provided to eligible vulnerable families living in areas of need based on poverty indicators as well as protection indicators.
- The Refugee Zakat Fund follows a 100% Zakat distribution policy, whereby 100% of Zakat contributions is delivered directly to the most vulnerable refugee and internally displaced families. UNHCR covers the overhead costs and other related expenses.
- Annual 3rd party field visits to monitor distribution and issue compliance reports and recommendations.
- Fatwas
- Dr Sheikh Ali Gomaa | Egypt
- Dar al-Ifta al-Missriyyah | Egypt
- The Senior Scholars’ Council of Morocco
- Sheikh Abdullah bin Bayya | UAE
- The Fatwa Council of Tareem
- The International Islamic Fiqh Academy | KSA
- Muslim World League | KSA
- Canadian Council of Imams
- Tabah Foundation
- International Shariah Research Academy (ISRA)
- Al-Azhar Islamic Research Academy (AIRA)
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UNHCR is a trusted agent to fulfill your Zakat obligations
- UNHCR’s Refugee Zakat Fund is subject to rigorous governance, ensuring transparency at every step, from receipt to distribution of Zakat funds to eligible families.
- Collaboration and partnerships with individuals, foundations, scholars and faith-based and financial institutions is at the core of UNHCR’s Refugee Zakat Fund strategy.
- UNHCR had a data-base for all of people of concern and follows a vulnerability assessment framework to identify eligible beneficiaries, in addition to post distribution monitoring, to measure impact and improve implementation.
- UNHCR has a 70-year track record in assisting refugees in need throughout the world.
- UNHCR publishes global reports to showcase impact of funds received on the lives of the most vulnerable refugee families. You can read them below:
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The Zakat fund is an effective way to help refugees
- Through the Refugee Zakat Fund, your support for refugees facing hardship is felt immediately by those most in need in the form of cash and in-kind assistance.
- UNHCR operates an expansive cash and in-kind distribution network in many countries. Zakat this year can be distributed in countries including Yemen, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Egypt, Mauritania, Turkey, India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Thailand, and Nigeria.
- For distribution of cash assistance, ATMs, IRIS scan, mobile wallets, and other technologies are used to deliver Zakat to the most vulnerable eligible refugees and IDPs.
Why should I give my Sadaqah to UNHCR?
Your Sadaqah is an act of solidarity with a community that is in need of our collective support. The Holy Qur’an instructs Muslims to give protection to those who need it. UNHCR will act as an intermediary to deliver aid to the most vulnerable families in order to meet their most basic needs.
Stories of Ramadan
Ghofran’s story
Abo Safwan’s story
Habibah’s story
GiveZakat App Information
UNHCR’s Refugee Zakat Fund launched the mobile arm of the fund, the GiveZakat app in 2020 due to an increase in digital philanthropy.
The mobile app allows donors to calculate Zakat, track their donations, donate both Zakat and Sadaqah funds easily and securely and set monthly Sadaqah donations for refugees and IDPs. Your donation through GiveZakat will be distributed by the Refugee Zakat Fund which is a credible, Sharia compliant, and effective distributor of Zakat and Sadaqah, as endorsed by respected Islamic institutions and scholars globally.
Download our new GiveZakat mobile app to help millions of refugee families who rely on Zakat and Sadaqah donations for shelter, healthcare, education and vital cash assistance.
Donate Today
Please help refugee families in need.