Muslim Aid
 | |
| Motto | Serving Humanity |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1 November 1985 (1985-11-01) |
| Type | NGO |
| Legal status | Charity |
| Purpose | Healthcare, education, Disaster & Emergency, Shelter & Construction, Economic empowerment, Child sponsorship, Income generation, UK development |
| Headquarters | London |
| Location |
|
Key people | Iftikhar Awan (chairman of the board) |
Revenue .mw-parser-output .nobold{font-weight:normal} (2014) | £34 million |
| Website | muslimaid.org |
Muslim Aid is a UK based Islamic charity NGO.[1] It was originally run by former senior staff of the Muslim Council of Britain,[2] and is now run by a new board of seven members which took office early 2018 and is chaired by independent management consultant Iftikhar Awan. It is a member of the Muslim Charities Forum, an umbrella organisation for UK based Muslim-led charities whose primary goal is to provide humanitarian aid and assistance to the poorest and most vulnerable people around the world and is also an associate member of Bond (British Overseas NGOs for Development), the UK membership body for non-governmental organisations and a member of NCVO, National Council for Voluntary Organisations, an organisation with 11,000 members that champions the voluntary sector and volunteering.
Contents
1 History and beginnings
2 Countries of operation
3 Recent work
4 25th anniversary
5 Controversies
6 Responses to Controversy
7 Awards and nominations
8 References
9 External links
History and beginnings
It was first established in 1985, in response to the 1983–85 famine in Ethiopia, by 23 organisations based in Britain.[3] It was initially led by a committee including Cat Stevens and members from the Muslim Council of Britain.[4] Stevens served as chairman[5] until his resignation in 1996. Suhaib Hasan became the next chairman. Mahmood al-Hassan became executive director in 1993.[6] From 1995, Iqbal Sacranie was a trustee.[7] The following year, conflicts in Afghanistan and Palestine and floods in Bangladesh saw Muslim Aid expand its emergency relief operations. Over the past 25 years Muslim Aid has grown from a small office in London to an international UK NGO, providing relief and development programmes in over 70 countries across the globe.[8]
By 1989 Muslim Aid's operations had expanded considerably and over £1 million of emergency aid had been distributed throughout Africa, Asia and Europe. As the charity grew, the scope of its work expanded.[8]
Whilst continuing to carry on its commitment to emergency relief work Muslim Aid also began to implement long-term development programmes. Today, water, healthcare, shelter and construction programs.[9]
Muslim Aid believes that in order to really help people, the causes, not just the symptoms of poverty must be addressed. By 1994 long-term development projects accounted for almost 50% of Muslim Aid's relief activity. As well as helping people overcome crisis' Muslim Aid provides skills and resources to assist people to move forward to a better life.[10]
Muslim Aid works closely with the communities to deliver its programmes and remains committed to working in collaboration with all its beneficiaries to ensure that the solutions are not imposed from the outside. All solutions are culturally sensitive, practical and owned by the beneficiaries.[11]
In April 2013, three men were convicted of planning terrorist attacks in UK. They raised funds by criminally posing as Muslim Aid workers; the matter was pursued by the police and prosecutions were made. A small amount of funds was recovered and passed onto the Charity.[12][13]
Countries of operation
They have field offices in 13 countries namely, Bangladesh, Bosnia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Pakistan, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan and Myanmar. Fully functioning offices are also being established in India and the Philippines. Muslim Aid has also registered and has functioning offices in Sweden and the USA. The Head Office is based in Whitechapel, London (UK). The Muslim Aid aid delivery footprint extends over 70 countries and is one of the largest of any INGO.[14]
Over the years, Muslim Aid has developed a "world-wide
network" of international partners—both corporations and humanitarian organisations—including British retail chain ASDA, the Islamic Bank of Britain, the Qatar-based Al Asmakh Charity, and the US-based United Methodist Committee on Relief. In 2014, Muslim Aid was part of an international, interfaith coalition of aid organisations that traveled to the Central African Republic to assess and raise awareness of the growing humanitarian crisis' in that country.[15][16][17][18][19]
From its inception in 1985, Muslim Aid has grown from a small organisation to one of largest Muslim NGOs in the world. Originally working to alleviate suffering during the humanitarian crises which plagued Africa through emergency relief, Muslim Aid expanded its work to encompass long-term humanitarian assistance through economic empowerment, education, child sponsorship, water and sanitation, shelter and disaster risk reduction.[20]
Recent work
Muslim Aid has carried out its work in many areas of the world. It operated in Indonesia following the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake (tsunami) and then the two earthquakes in Java (one in May 2006 and the other in July of that year).[21] It also worked in Bosnia following the Yugoslav wars of the 1990s.[22] It worked in Pakistan following the 2005 Kashmir earthquake, to build seismically resistant sustainable housing in conjunction with UK architectural charity Article 25.[citation needed] It has continuously worked in the Palestinian territories, Darfur, Eritrea, Afghanistan, Lebanon and Bangladesh.[citation needed] It also worked in China following the 2008 Sichuan earthquake.[citation needed]
In 2010 Muslim Aid responded to the destructive earthquake in Haiti and the devastating floods in Pakistan. It raised nearly £600,000 and £3 million respectively to help those who afflicted by the disasters. It is continuing its reconstruction work in these countries ensuring long-term prosperity of those living there.[23]
Since 2011, Muslim Aid has worked inside Syria, as well as in neighbouring countries through its field offices and partners, to deliver essential aid to those affected by the conflict in Syria. To date, food items, clothing, hygiene kits, medical aid and non-food items have been distributed. Education projects and long-term support of a hospital inside Syria commenced in 2016.
In 2016, Muslim Aid, in partnership with WFP, was the first NGO to reach Shirqat, Iraq, for over two years with essential food aid.
East London Mosque And Muslim Aid Donate 10 Tonnes Of Food To Homeless in Dec 2016.[24]
Faith groups including Muslim Aid worked together to care for street sleepers and other vulnerable people in the run-up to Christmas in 2016 across the English capital of London are expanding their efforts by providing meals and shelter packs to rough sleepers. Their aim is to make sure those most in need are protected from cold weather and hunger during the holidays when many shops and services are closed or operating at reduced capacity.[25]
25th anniversary
In 2010 Muslim Aid celebrated 25 years since it began its work. The year was marked with events and initiatives to highlight its achievements and plot its future course.[26]
The year was headlined by the 25th Anniversary Dinner held at the Natural History Museum in March 2010. Over 600 guests attended Muslim Aid's 25th Anniversary event. Speeches were given by Northern Ireland Secretary, Shaun Woodward MP; Shadow International Development Secretary, Andrew Mitchell MP; Shadow Foreign Secretary Edward Davey, MP and Sir Iqbal Sacranie, Chairman of Muslim Aid.[27]
Government Minister the Rt. Hon. Sadiq Khan MP, Minister of State for Transport also delivered a speech and was joined by distinguished guests from the media, diplomatic community, political, development and community organisations.[26] Renowned nasheed artist Ahmed Bukhatir performed on the 3 nights which raised over £300,000 in the events in London, Manchester and Birmingham.[28][29]
HRH The Prince of Wales and Prime Minister Gordon Brown Muslim Aid, with Brown recording a video message.
In a message HRH The Prince of Wales said:
"I have followed your progress with close interest and attention over the last quarter of a century and have admired the projects and programmes you have undertaken in more than 70 countries around the world, ranging from emergency and disaster relief to education, health and micro-finance projects. If I may say so, our country is incredibly fortunate to be able to count on organisations like Muslim Aid who bring not only help, but hope to those most in need."
In his message, the Prime Minister said:
"For a quarter of a century the valuable work Muslim Aid has been doing means that millions of people across the world are today safer and healthier. I wish Muslim Aid and its passionate and committed staff and supporters the very best for another 25 years of achievement."[30]
Controversies
Controversy surrounding Muslim Aid has centered mainly on allegations of its role in the financing of terrorist or extremist organizations. In 2002, a Spanish police report alleged the organisation to have used funds to send mujahadeen fighters to Bosnia.[31] In 2010, the organisation was investigated by the Charity Commission for England and Wales for allegedly funding groups linked to a banned terrorist organisation.[32] The investigation cleared the organisation and said that the claims were unsubstantiated. The Sunday Telegraph criticised the outcome saying that the Commission cleared the organization "without examining any of the evidence presented," that the organisation has admitted funding two organisations linked to Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and alleging that Muslim Aid is "closely linked to the extremist Islamic Forum of Europe, which wants to create a sharia state in Europe." [33][34]
In 2003, ABC News established a link between a Muslim Aid Australia and the Dewan Dakwah Islamiyah Indonesia (DDII) which is linked to the Islamist group Jemaah Islamiyah.[35] In 2008, their offices in Lakemba were raided by the police over allegations that funds were being sent through Interpal to help get money into Gaza during Israeli border closures.[36]
In 2008, the organisation was banned in Israel, due to its alleged ties to the Union of Good.[37] A 2009 report by the US-based think-tank Nine Eleven Finding Answers Foundation, also alleged the charity was part of the Union of Good.[4][38]Anthony Cordesman of the Center for Strategic and International Studies also said they funded Hamas.[39]
In 2009, despite being dogged by allegations of foreign intelligence links and terrorist support throughout the Muslim world, Muslim Aid Pakistan, with full support of Muslim Aid UK figures appointed a former director of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Khaled Latif Mughal as its country chairman.[40] Mughal was responsible for the Afghan and Kashmir theatres for Pakistan's premier spy agency during the 1990s. After the Mumbai terrorist attacks in 2008, Mughal claimed that the terrorist outrage was a conspiracy by the United States, Israel and India to cripple Pakistan and to steal its nuclear arsenal.
On the 2 May 2013 an international arrest warrant was issued for its long time trustee Chowdhury Mueen-Uddin for war crimes. He was subsequently found guilty in absentia of murdering 18 Bangladesh intellectuals as a leader within Al-Badr, a pro-Pakistan Islamist paramilitary force in the Bangladesh liberation war.[41]
The government of Bangladesh investigated the organisation for allegedly funding militants in the country.[42][43][44] In December 2013, Mozammel Hossain, the head of the Rangpur branch of Muslim Aid, was arrested for financing "subversive activities".[45][46] In April 2014, Bangladeshi politician Sayed Ashraful Islam of the Awami League Central Working Committee warned funds from the organisation were being used to spread "religious fanaticism".[47] Again in September 2014, Major general Abdur Rashid said they funded extremism.[48]
In 2014, the Charity Commission for England and Wales announced it was part of a "statutory inquiry".[49] According to the charity, the investigation was caused after they reported "non-compliance with some operational aspects in two field offices".[50][51] The Statutory Inquiry report has not yet been published.
In 2017, the government of Bangladesh barred the organisation from aiding the rohingya people in Cox's Bazar, alleging funds were used to preach Islam, construct mosques, encourage radicalism, and fund militants.[52]
Responses to Controversy
In response to the multiple allegations made against Muslim Aid, the non-profit watchdog agency of the United Kingdom Charity Commission began a comprehensive investigation. The Charity Commission examined alleged ties with terrorist groups as well as alleged payments made to groups linked with Hamas. Investigations lasted six months, from March 3 until September 2, 2010 and "found no evidence of irregular or improper use of the charity's funds or any evidence that the charity had illegally funded any proscribed or designated entities". The report further concluded the Charity Commission report "has given a public assurance that public allegations of links between [Muslim Aid] and terrorism are unsubstantiated".[53]
In 2016, Jehangir Malik, who has previously held the top role at Islamic Relief, was appointed chief executive of Muslim Aid. He had been at Islamic Relief for 23 years, starting as a volunteer and working up to national fundraising director, before spending his last six years at the charity as its UK director.[54] Michael King, the Interim Manager of Muslim Aid said that "This is an important international NGO, rooted in the faith of the Muslim Community and carrying out work in over 70 countries across the world. My principal task is to ensure that it will be a beacon of good governance in line with good practice, so enabling it to expand its vital relief work throughout the world".[55]
Awards and nominations
In 2013, Muslim Aid won International Charity award at the Charity Times Awards. The Charity was also nominated for the Charity of the Year award.
In January 2014, Muslim Aid was nominated for the Charity of the Year award at the British Muslim Awards.[56]
References
^ Muslim Aid Souvenir Brochure, (2010) Published by Muslim Aid, London
^ "Muslim help for poor investigated by charity chiefs". The Times..mw-parser-output cite.citation{font-style:inherit}.mw-parser-output .citation q{quotes:"""""""'""'"}.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-free a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/Lock-green.svg/9px-Lock-green.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-registration a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-gray-alt-2.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-subscription a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-red-alt-2.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration{color:#555}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription span,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration span{border-bottom:1px dotted;cursor:help}.mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4c/Wikisource-logo.svg/12px-Wikisource-logo.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output code.cs1-code{color:inherit;background:inherit;border:inherit;padding:inherit}.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-error{display:none;font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-error{font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{display:none;color:#33aa33;margin-left:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration,.mw-parser-output .cs1-format{font-size:95%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-left{padding-left:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-right{padding-right:0.2em}
^ Clarke, Matthew. Development and Religion: Theology and Practice. pp. 160–169. ISBN 0857930737.
^ ab "Government donation to Muslim Charitable organizations Forum denounced as "madness"". Telegraph.co.uk. 23 September 2014.
^ New Straits Times - Mar 1, 1985
^ Charitable Crescent: Politics of Aid in the Muslim World. p79-80.
^ Marie Woolf (16 August 2012). "Sir Iqbal Sacranie: 'There can never be justification for killing". The Independent.
^ ab Emel Muslim lifestyle magazine (April 2010), London P.32
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^ Emel Muslim lifestyle magazine (April 2010), London P.35
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^ "Terror trial: 'Public duped into funding bomb plotters'". BBC News.
^ "Register Home Page". charity-commission.gov.uk.
^ "Frequently Asked Questions". Muslim Aid.
^ "Corporate Partners". Muslim Aid.
^ "Muslim Aid and Al Asmakh Charity, Qatar sign MoU for Humanitarian Activities". Muslim Aid.
^ Gerard Clarke. "Trans-faith Humanitarian Partnerships: The Case of Muslim Aid and the United Methodist Committee on Relief". academia.edu.
^ "Muslim Aid warns of food crisis in CAR as part of interfaith aid coalition". Muslim Aid.
^ "Muslim Aid Day celebrated - The Muslim News". The Muslim News. Retrieved 2018-11-29.
^ "BBC NEWS - Asia-Pacific - Asian disaster: How to help". bbc.co.uk.
^ "Announcements". fco.gov.uk.
^ [1] Archived March 22, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
^ "Mosque Repeatedly Targeted By Britain First Donates 10 Tonnes Of Food To Homeless". HuffPost UK. 2016-12-18. Retrieved 2018-11-29.
^ "Muslims and Christians team up to help homeless". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 2018-11-29.
^ ab [2] Archived March 22, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
^ "Muslim Aid Media Centre". Muslim Aid.
^ Muslims Aid 25th Anniversary Event Archived 2011-07-23 at the Wayback Machine
^ "The Children's Night of Empowerment with Ahmed Bukhatir". Muslim Aid. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
^ "HRH the Prince of Wales and Prime Minister congratulate Muslim Aid as over 600 guests attend its 25th Anniversary Dinner". Muslim Aid. Retrieved 2018-11-29.
^ "CNN.com - Spain charity terror link alleged - Dec. 8, 2002". cnn.com.
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^ Welch, Dylan (2008-07-25). "Federal police raid Islamic charity". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2014-12-30.
^ "Defense Minister signs order banning Hamas-affiliated charitable organizations". GxMSDev.
^ https://wikileaks.org/gifiles/attach/103/103435_NEFA.UoG.Qaradawi.pdf
^ Cordesman, Anthony (2002). Peace and War: The Arab-Israeli Military Balance Enters the 21st Century. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 247. ISBN 0275969398.
^ Issue 5 (June 2009). "Muslim Aid Newsletter 2009" (PDF). Muslim Aid. Muslim Aid.
^ "Bangladesh finds UK and US accused guilty of war crimes". BBC News.
^ "NGOs under scanner for 'funding militancy'". thedailystar.net.
^ "Hasina: No vote rigging by AL-backed candidates - Dhaka Tribune". dhakatribune.com. Archived from the original on 2014-10-23.
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^ "Bangladesh govt bars 3 NGOs from Rohingya relief work over security concerns". DhakaTribune. 12 October 2017. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
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^ "Jehangir Malik appointed chief executive of Muslim Aid". www.civilsociety.co.uk. Retrieved 2018-11-29.
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External links
- Official website
- Muslim Aid Australia
- Muslim Aid Australia Constitution: http://www.muslimaid.org.au/downloads/notrestricted/constitution_maa_2014.aspx
- Muslim Aid Australia Annual Report 2015: http://www.muslimaid.org.au/downloads/notrestricted/maa_ar_20160407.aspx
- Good Company on Charity reviews: https://www.goodcompany.com.au/charity/Muslim-Aid-Australia
- Charity Commission page on Muslim Aid
- The Rainbow Family, a Muslim Aid project
- Muslim Aid Annual Review 2010: https://www.muslimaid.org/download/983/
- Muslim Aid Annual Review 2011: https://www.muslimaid.org/download/984/
- Muslim Aid Annual Review 2012: https://www.muslimaid.org/download/985/
- Muslim Aid Annual Review 2013: https://www.muslimaid.org/download/1133/
- Muslim Aid Annual Review 2014: https://www.muslimaid.org/download/3776/
