Press Release - Archive
08/02/2010
Italy
Six months after the devastating Abruzzo earthquake, Islamic Relief Italy has completed its work in Onna.
Much of the town of... more »
2010-02-08 04:00:53
Italy
Six months after the devastating Abruzzo earthquake, Islamic Relief Italy has completed its work in Onna.
Much of the town of Onna was completely destroyed by the earthquake, leaving people in need of shelter and other essential aid. Islamic Relief staff and volunteers started work in the region immediately after the disaster which affected tens of thousands of people.
Since the earthquake Islamic Relief has provided emergency aid including blankets, food, hygiene kits and clothes to people who lost their homes in the villages of Monticchio, Bagno and Onna. Toys were also donated to a new nursery school built after the disaster.
Paolo Gonzaga, Country Director of Islamic Relief Italy said, “In the last six months we have met Pope Benedict XVI, we have organised community meals and have provided recreational activities for the people of Onna.
We have also collaborated with the Civil Protection of Italy and other Catholic and secular associations with mutual satisfaction and respect. Above all, we have worked with the population, which welcomed us warmly and who supported our work, asking us to stay as long as necessary.
Dozens of Islamic Relief volunteers from many a variety of countries, from Egypt to Morocco, Algeria to Pakistan, assisted the aid efforts in Onna by cooking and serving lunches and dinners for the victims of the earthquake.
Paulo Gonzaga said, “I would like to thank each family in Onna who welcomed the Islamic Relief team so warmly. The wonderful people of Onna will always be in our hearts.
08/02/2010
Palestine
Preparing for the 25th anniversary celebration, Islamic Relief –Palestine office had organized photos exhibition four months ago. The exhibition exposed... more »
2010-02-08 03:11:47
Palestine
Preparing for the 25th anniversary celebration, Islamic Relief –Palestine office had organized photos exhibition four months ago. The exhibition exposed Islamic Relief activities before and after the earlier offense against Gaza in many fields like health, education, agriculture and psychosocial support either in Palestine or around the world.
On 2nd November, as a second step, Islamic Relief held a reception to celebrate the great event of coming our international delegates from Islamic Relief USA, UK,Sweden and Germany Including Saleh Saeed the CEO of IRW and Dr. Hani Al-Banna, the founder of Islamic Relief who thanked everyone contributed in building the Islamic Relief and participated in achieving its vision and mission of alleviating the suffering of the needy all over the world.
While Mr. Saleh Saeed, the Chief Executive Officer Indicated to the importance of Islamic Relief respond in natural and man-made disasters and to the significance of the micro-finance projects that can help the individuals to find a source of living.
On 9th November, 2009, more than five hundred peopled gathered in Rashad Al-Shawa Cultural Center to celebrate the final event in Gaza of passing 25 years for Islamic Relief service to humanity.
Islamic Relief friends, partners and many other local and international institutions and about sixty family of the orphan department were among the invitees.
The celebration included a song for Islamic Relief. It had been performed by the Kids of Ya Hala Kindergartens, one the outstanding kindergartens in the Gaza Strip.
There were also other activities like folklore dance, films about Islamic Relief activities and a beneficiary's show.
In meantime, DR. Mohammad Al-Sousi, Head of Islamic Relief in Palestine said that Islamic Relief has been exerting diligent efforts to deliver a high quality service to as possible as number of the beneficiaries.
21/12/2009
United Kingdom
HRH The Prince of Wales praises Islamic Relief's work over the past 25 years
HRH The Prince of Wales praised international... more »
2009-12-21 09:46:53
United Kingdom
HRH The Prince of Wales praises Islamic Relief's work over the past 25 years
HRH The Prince of Wales praised international aid agency Islamic Relief for its "outstanding work in providing humanitarian aid to literally millions of the most vulnerable people over the past quarter of a century." The comments came as part of a speech made by the Prince of Wales at the charity’s 25th anniversary Gala Dinner at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London on 17th December 2009.
The celebratory event brought together Islamic Relief's supporters from around the world and also marked the contribution and achievements of the British Muslim community who have helped make Islamic Relief the global humanitarian operation it is today, working in over 30 countries.
As Guest of Honour, and in the presence of many other dignitaries, HRH The Prince of Wales, said: "Islamic Relief's fine achievements bear witness to the energy, dynamism and selflessness of our British Muslim community.
“We hear rather too much misleading information about a small minority of your community and not nearly enough about the vastly more numerous acts of compassion and commitment which characterise the work of Islamic Relief and its supporters. That, Ladies and Gentlemen, is why I was so happy and proud to come here this evening, to celebrate these achievements with you.”
The Prince of Wales also paid personal tribute to the “vision, passion, and sheer dedication of a truly extraordinary and remarkable man,” Dr Hany El Banna, co-founder of Islamic Relief.
The CEO of Islamic Relief Worldwide, Saleh Saeed, said: "Back in 1984, setting-up an international NGO based upon Muslim principles and practice was not an entirely feasible proposition.
As a result, I am all the more proud of the thousands of dedicated staff, volunteers, supporters and donors who have enabled us to deliver emergency relief and sustainable development programmes in a working alliance with some of the world's most vulnerable communities." The Gala Dinner comes at the end of a year of celebrations around the work marking the achievements of Islamic Relief over the past 25 years, thanking its many supporters and paying tribute to the strength and spirit of those it has been able to reach through its work. For more information contact: Husna Rashid on 0207 593 3256 or Husna.rashid@islamic-relief.org.uk
To view The Price of Wales’s full speech, please click here
21/12/2009
Germany
Successful conference about Islam and development cooperation - cooperation overcome misunderstandings
Bonn, 09.12.2009. A two day conference about development cooperation and... more »
2009-12-21 05:00:10
Germany
Successful conference about Islam and development cooperation - cooperation overcome misunderstandings
Bonn, 09.12.2009. A two day conference about development cooperation and Islam organized by Welthungerhilfe and Islamic Relief was concluded yesterday in Bonn. The main topic discussed was the challenges for development cooperation in the Islamic world.
Since September 11th 2001, development work faces various problems in many Muslim countries due to politically motivated escalation of the differences between Islam and the West. This leads to many problems for the development cooperation, manifesting in prejudice and misunderstandings. Notwithstanding the fact that effective and sustainable help reaching the population is crucial in countries with a large number of Muslim inhabitants.
Approximately half of the 1,3 billion Muslims worldwide live in poverty. The UN index of human development shows countries with a high Muslim population on the lowest ranks, such as Afghanistan, Tschad, Burkina Faso and Ethiopia.
According to the Welthungerhilfe and Islamic Relief, a better cooperation between Muslim and Non-Muslim organizations can help overcome misunderstandings. This applies to direct cooperation in the field as well as advocacy work in the West.
The conference was an important step. Misunderstandings were overcome and trust between Muslim development organizations and Western organizations was established. We are looking forward to working together in the field because we are convinced that humanitarian aid is applied best with combined efforts“ Dr. Hany el Banna, President of Islamic Relief Germany.
We have to return to an unbiased and factual discussion“, request by the President of the Welthungerhilfe, Frau Bärbel Dieckmann at the close of the conference. „Especially the discussion about the minaret prohibition in Switzerland has shown that a self-imposed dogma of "political correctness“ contravene an intensive discussion. In Germany, we have to accept different cultures and religions but at the same time we have to draw clear boundaries. In development cooperation it is crucial that we consider cultural sensibilities, otherwise we are not taken seriously as aid workers.“
The Welthungerhilfe is one of Germany’s largest private aid organizations and helps privately: projects include emergency help, reconstruction as well as long term development aid in cooperation with local partner organizations based on the idea of self-help. Since its foundation in 1962, more than 5.900 projects in 70 countries were supported with 2 billion Euro– for a world without hunger and poverty.
More informationwww.welthungerhilfe.de
Islamic Relief Humanitäre Hilfsorganisation in Deutschland e. V. (IRD) is a German NGO founded in 1996 in Cologne. Islamic Relief Deutschland e. V. Is a partner of Islamic Relief Worldwide, an umbrella organization with eleven independent Islamic Relief-partner organizations in Europe and America. Aid projects include emergency help as well as long term development projects based on the principle of facilitating a life in dignity and security, peace and freedom. .
More information at www.islamicrelief.de
image taken from www.welthungerhilfe.de
25/11/2009
United Kingdom
Islamic microfinance an ethical alternative to modern banking for poor communities
The global economic downturn has brought the ethics and sustainability... more »
2009-11-25 07:49:04
United Kingdom
Islamic microfinance an ethical alternative to modern banking for poor communities
The global economic downturn has brought the ethics and sustainability of modern banking practices into question, but could Islamic microfinance provide a more equitable alternative to current economic challenges?
Although many organisations offer microcredit to poor communities, few initiatives use Islamic finance principles which prohibit the use of interest. Many Muslim borrowers refrain from accessing interest-based loans for fear of breaching their religious principles while interest can also keep poor communities trapped in a cycle of debt and prevent them from becoming self-sufficient.
Islamic microfinance promotes ethical investment and business practices among micro-entrepreneurs. The focus is on “fairer” lending procedures for the poor, the sharing of risk between lender and borrower, the prohibition of interest and the imperative only to invest in ethical ventures.
The CEO of Islamic Relief Worldwide Saleh Saeed said, "Although around half of those living in absolute poverty worldwide are Muslims, less than one per cent of global microfinance programmes are Shariah compliant. This is one of the reasons why many Muslims choose not to use financial services as they do not conform to their religious beliefs.
“In order to lift people out of poverty it is extremely important that the finance and development community work together to increase and strengthen the availability of Islamic financial services, particularly amongst the poor where access is most limited.”
International aid agency Islamic Relief has developed the use of Islamic microfinancing techniques in development and helps some of the poorest communities and those worst affected by the recession to become economically self-sufficient. These loans have helped tens of thousands of people from Bosnia-Herzegovina to Bangladesh, Pakistan to the Occupied Palestinian Territories, set up or expand their own businesses, allowing them to live with dignity and independence.
In Pakistan where three-quarters of the population live on less than $2 a day, Islamic Relief is working with HSBC to expand its microfinance programme. D Ajaz Ahmed Khan, Islamic Relief’s Head of Policy and Research said, “In Pakistan our Shari’ah-compliant microfinance project not only provides the capital to help people set up their own businesses but also provides essential training and support to ensure the success of these ventures.”
“We are currently working with HSBC to provide loans to vulnerable people across Islamabad and Rawalpindi, but are looking to expand to other parts of the country in the near future. We are very proud that over 40 per cent of the beneficiaries of this project are women and many are widows who are now supporting their entire family through their businesses.”
As part of Islamic Relief’s 25th anniversary celebrations, Islamic Relief is leading discussions on Islamic microfinance as a solution to poverty. On 19th January 2010 you can join the debate at a unique microfinance conference at the law firm Clifford Chance, London.
The event will give delegates the opportunity to learn more about the theory and practice of Islamic microfinance, and how it can be used as part of sustainable development programmes. There will also be the opportunity to discuss the future of Islamic microfinance as a solution to poverty.
Chairing the discussions will be Mohammed Amin who heads up PricewaterhouseCoopers Islamic Finance practice in the UK. Keynote speakers include Dr Ajaz Ahmed Khan, Head of Policy and Research at Islamic Relief Worldwide, Amjid Ali, UK Head & Senior Manager, HSBC Amanah Global, and Riaz Hassan, National Sales Manager for HSBC Amanah.
For interviews with Dr Ajaz Ahmed Khan or other keynote speakers, and for more information about the conference, please contact: Samia.ahmed@islamic-relief.org.uk
Photo and case studies regarding Islamic Relief’s microfinance programmes are also available.
09/11/2009
United Kingdom
Foreign Secretary David Miliband celebrates Islamic Relief’s 25th anniversary at the Foreign Commonwealth Office as part of an Iftar dinner... more »
2009-11-09 05:46:24
United Kingdom
Foreign Secretary David Miliband celebrates Islamic Relief’s 25th anniversary at the Foreign Commonwealth Office as part of an Iftar dinner on 7th September 2009. The video links show David Miliband paying tribute to the contribution and achievements of Islamic Relief and the valuable work it has undertaken across all communities.
13/10/2009
United Kingdom
Islamic Relief celebrating its 25th anniversary with the preview of the ‘Hope and Empowerment’ photo exhibition at the City Hall... more »
2009-10-13 04:36:47
United Kingdom
Islamic Relief celebrating its 25th anniversary with the preview of the ‘Hope and Empowerment’ photo exhibition at the City Hall in London.
Photographers Stefano Massimo and Shaista Chishty displayed the images of beneficiaries from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kenya and Yemen. The images highlight some of the issues and challenges that people in the developing world are facing and also showcase some of the projects which Islamic Relief is implementing with the support of UK and worldwide donors.
09/10/2009
United Kingdom
This year’s European Development Days are due to be held in Stockholm from 22 to 24 October 2009. Islamic... more »
2009-10-09 09:53:57
United Kingdom
This year’s European Development Days are due to be held in Stockholm from 22 to 24 October 2009. Islamic Relief will once again be present at this event with a stand that showcases our work around the world, as well as celebrating our 25th Anniversary.
The European Development Days provide a platform for political leaders, NGOs, business leaders, academics and the media to discuss issues of global importance. This year’s event will bring together 5,000 people from 125 countries to debate key global problems; the response to the economic downturn and climate change.Islamic Relief’s International Representative in Brussels, Sarah Douik said, “The European Development Days offers Islamic Relief the chance to highlight the fantastic work that the organisation does around the world. This year we will be focusing on our Islamic microfinance projects that offer some of the world’s poorest people the opportunity to make a sustainable living, and which are even more important in these uncertain financial times.”
“In Stockholm we will also be exhibiting a series of photos taken for Islamic Relief’s 25th Anniversary by world-renowned photographers Stefano Massimo and Shaista Chishty. Taken in countries from Afghanistan to Kenya, these images show how Islamic Relief has helped to empower people through our development work.”