Introduction
Our Goals & Growth
Our Board of Directors & Governance Structure
An Equitable Approach
Emergency Response
Development Projects
Orphan Sponsorship
Our Help at Home
Seasonal Projects
Ramadan & Eid
Qurbani / Udhiya & Aqiqah
Follow Your Donation
Thank You
Our Mission
To mobilize Canadians to transform more lives around the world in the most trusted manner.
Our Vision
A more compassionate and just world where no one is left behind.
Islamic Relief works in over 40 countries worldwide, providing life-saving humanitarian aid to those in need, and fighting poverty through sustainable development projects. Inspired by faith, we serve everyone in need regardless of gender, race or religion.
We help impoverished communities access basic services, including education, water, sanitation, and healthcare. Through livelihood projects, skills development and mentorship, we help communities break the cycle of poverty.
Our integrated approach to projects helps transform lives worldwide.
By the Grace of God and your generous donations, we are grateful to share the impact of the work you have supported this year.
Because of you, we are reaching 3.4 million people in 2023 and implementing more than 176 projects to help bring relief and break the cycle of poverty.
Every donation you made this year helped fill someone’s heart with happiness. Thank you for your continued generosity and care!
3.4 million people
projects
+ Life-saving humanitarian response
+ Long term sustainable development
+ Advocacy and campaigning on local to global root causes
+ More lives saved and vulnerability to humanitarian crises reduced
+ Communities empowered to tackle poverty and vulnerability
+ Global and local root causes eliminated through systemic change
In our work and individual conduct, we shall not cease to:
IKHLAS
Value sincerity and honesty
IHSAN
Strive for excellence
Be compassionate
ADL
Promote, campaign for and deliver justice
Prove worthy custodians of the trust placed in us to care for people and the planet
In order to achieve our vision and mission, Islamic Relief Canada has developed four key strategic goals. These goals are carefully thought out and referenced quarterly by the Executive Leadership Team led by the CEO to ensure the organization is on track to meeting our goals. Relevant and carefully crafted key performance indicators (KPIs) are used to monitor progress against the strategy. The goals are further disseminated to departmental objectives and with respective KPIs, which are monitored on a quarterly basis.
This is achieved through increasing the quality of our community engagement, fundraising efforts, making connections with new communities, and improving our donor stewardship. This can be measured by the amount raised annually, retaining our supporters and the percentage increase of our reach across the Muslim and Canadian charity sector.
Develop
This is achieved by investing in volunteers and youth to enhance their skills and capacity. This can be measured by an increase in leadership skills for organizational leaders, higher volunteer engagement scores, and the number of youth we invest in who take on formal leadership roles.
Maximize
This is achieved by designing our programs to focus on the long-term effects and impact, keeping the communities involved at the centre of our projects, and using our resources to research and advocate for tackling the root causes of poverty and inequality. This can be measured by an increase in long-term development projects, amount received in institutional funding, and our advocacy effort score.
Become a learning and effective organization
This is achieved through cultivating a vibrant organizational culture, inspired by our Islamic values and focused on learning, innovation and operational excellence. This can be measured by the percentage of staff engaged, innovative initiatives implemented, and reduction of the top organizational risks.
Islamic Relief Canada aims to execute quality, impactful programming, whether responding to emergencies or addressing long-term development needs.
Within our multi-year strategy, Islamic Relief Canada's 2023 annual plan includes programmatic sectors determined in close collaboration with our country office colleagues, who are present in our countries of operation.
We recognize that country contexts are dynamic, so we remain flexible in responding to the sectoral needs as they shift while still maintaining constant development efforts on the ground. For example, when conflict first broke out in Sudan in April 2023, Islamic Relief Canada pivoted our existing programs to prioritize the immediate needs of those most affected. This involved pivoting from development to emergency needs, but also in terms of changing project locations while accounting for the safety and security of Islamic Relief's rights-holders and staff in Sudan.
Dr. Hany El-Banna, O.B.E, M.D.
Our esteemed former Chair of the Board, Dr. Hany El-Banna, concluded his tenure in March 2023, leaving behind a lasting legacy of leadership and service synonymous with the organization's founding. As the visionary founder of Islamic Relief Worldwide, Dr. El-Banna played a pivotal role in establishing and expanding Islamic Relief, and transforming it under his sagacious guidance.
Dr. El-Banna's principles became the guiding force for Islamic Relief, ensuring the organization's flourishing and unwavering commitment to humanitarian causes. We express profound gratitude for his exemplary dedication and relentless passion, which set a solid foundation for our ongoing work. Dr. El-Banna's impact, marked by compassionate leadership and steadfast dedication, will resonate for years, inspiring current and future generations of organizational leaders.
Islamic Relief Canada welcomes Ebad as the new Chair of the Board. His promotion from board member since 2016 to Chair in 2023 marks a promising new era for our organization.
Ebad, a seasoned corporate lawyer with a strong foundation in the technology sector, has significantly contributed to our strategic operations. His expertise spans complex legal matters in technology contracting, outsourcing, and commercial agreements, particularly in software development, cloud computing, procurement, structuring corporate sponsorships and licensing agreements, and optimizing investment returns across various sectors.
Ebad’s strategic foresight and deep understanding of the evolving digital finance landscape are invaluable to our mission. Join us in celebrating Ebad's journey, anticipating the vigour and insight he brings to Islamic Relief Canada's endeavours.
Dr. El-Tantawy Attia, Ph.D.
MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Dr. El-Tantawy Attia worked in the Reactor Physics and Nuclear Analysis Departments of the Ontario Power General for more than 27 years before retiring in 2003. Dr. Attia has been an active member of the Muslim community, previously serving as President of the Muslim Investment Group and the Canadian Islamic Trust Foundation. He also currently serves as the Executive Director of Toronto Masjid.
MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CHAIR OF THE FUNDRAISING AND MARKETING COMMITTEE
Naseem Mithoowani is a practicing lawyer in the GTA, along with serving as an Adjunct Professor at Osgoode Hall Law School, and as a part-time adjudicator at the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal. She is known for her courageous and bold approach to challenging the treatment of minorities in Canada and has won high-profile legal cases in recent years. In addition to the exemplary legal work she does defending minorities and underrepresented communities, she is also an active member of several community, political and religious organizations.
MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CHAIR OF THE PROGRAMS COMMITTEE
Dr. Raza Khan was trained at the University of Toronto (MD) and performed his residency in family medicine at the University of Ottawa. His full-time practice is in Brantford, Ontario, where he has been practicing family medicine since 1997. In addition, he also serves as a Director and Spokesperson for the Muslim Association of Hamilton, President of the Muslim Association of Brantford, as well as the past Vice-Chair of the Canadian Relief Foundation.
MEMBER
OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Dr. Aarif Pathan was a staff physician in the Department of Internal Medicine at William Osler Health Corporation in Toronto from 2003 to 2008 before returning to Edmonton where he has been practicing Family Medicine in private practice. He is dedicated to promoting healthcare in underprivileged communities in Edmonton. A longtime donor and volunteer for Islamic Relief, he also has a passion for mentorship and has coached community league soccer and basketball.
Sarrah Lawendy Dr. Aarif Pathan, M.D.
MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Sarrah Lawendy is an educator and a community activist. She currently works in academic consulting and mentoring young community leaders. Sarrah holds a Bachelor of Arts in Rhetoric and Professional Writing, a Bachelor of Education, and a Master of Education. Sarrah serves as the Chair of the Board of Directors for the Youth Coalition Combating Islamophobia, a youth-centered non-profit organization dedicated to fighting Islamophobia.
MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Afnan Attia is currently the Director of Corporate Development at TELUS Health, a Canada-based global health and wellbeing provider of health technology services. She graduated from the Schulich School of Business at York University with a Bachelor of Business Administration. Afnan has volunteered with various Islamic not-for-profit organizations, and in addition to joining the Board, Afnan has recently co-founded The Female Finance Project, a not-for-profit that is dedicated to offering financial education and empowerment for women.
Dr. Hany Soliman, M.D
MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CHAIR OF THE FINANCE, AUDIT AND RISK MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
Dr. Hany Soliman is a Radiation Oncologist at the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto. He is actively involved in medical research and education. He was brought up in the Toronto area and has a Bachelor of Science and medical degree from the University of Toronto. He has been involved in the Muslim community at a grassroots level and has a passion for charitable work.
At Islamic Relief Canada, our Board of Directors plays a crucial role in upholding the highest standards of governance to ensure that our charitable efforts align with Canadian laws. Their responsibilities include setting strategic objectives, monitoring organizational performance, and approving financial plans, providing a solid foundation for our long-term success.
To make well-informed decisions, the Board actively collaborates with key executives, such as the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Governance Officer, in regular meetings. This collaborative approach ensures essential insights are considered.
The Board also has the flexibility to seek external professional advice when needed, enhancing their ability to navigate complex challenges. This commitment to diligence reflects our dedication to maintaining top-notch governance standards, ensuring that our operations are impactful and compliant with regulations.
The Board holds quarterly meetings to review the overall progress – on the basis of reports from the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Leadership Team – and to assess the organization’s financial position and risks. During these meetings, they:
Review the charity’s performance in delivering against our annual objectives
Monitor the organization’s principal risks and progress on people and culture change
Review the Chief Executive Officer’s performance and the board’s effectiveness
Provide additional support and guidance as and when needed
The Board has delegated specific responsibilities to four regular committees:
+ The Finance, Audit and Risk Management Committee (FARM)
+ Programs Committee
+ Fundraising and Marketing Committee
+ The Governance and Nominations Committee
Members of each committee are appointed by the Board, and the chair of each committee reports back to the Board at quarterly formal meetings.
The Programs Committee, an integral part of Islamic Relief Canada’s Board of Directors, is steered by a chairperson appointed from within its members, ensuring leadership deeply aligned with the organization's ethos. This committee is central to driving strategic thinking, approving project funding, and verifying the effectiveness of programmatic strategies. Additionally, the Programs Committee provides essential support and mentorship to the Program’s Director and their team. By fulfilling these vital roles, the Programs Committee is committed to the specific objectives outlined in its Terms of Reference, steering the organization towards impactful and meaningful achievements.
The Fundraising and Marketing Committee, led by a boardappointed member, plays a key role in shaping the fundraising efforts of Islamic Relief Canada. Tasked with overseeing the organization's fundraising strategies, the Fundraising and Marketing Committee diligently monitors the effectiveness of fundraising campaigns, ensuring they are both far-reaching and resource-efficient. The committee's insights are vital to the Board's evaluation of these campaigns, contributing to a more focused and effective approach. This thoughtful and strategic guidance by the Fundraising and Marketing Committee is essential in supporting Islamic Relief Canada’s broader mission and goals.
Meet our Finance, Audit, and Risk Management (FARM) Committee – a dedicated group at the heart of our financial well-being. Led by the Treasurer and consisting of two board members and three independent experts in finance, investment, and audit and risk management, the committee ensures a robust oversight of our financial activities.
The FARM Committee takes care of key responsibilities, including meticulous oversight of the annual budget development and regular financial reports, both annually and quarterly. They play a crucial role in evaluating the integrity of our internal control environment, providing assurances to our Directors. The committee also carefully considers insights from external auditors and investment managers, maintaining a watchful eye on our financial health and risks.
Meeting four times a year, the committee ensures consistent financial oversight. Moreover, they are ready to convene in response to any unforeseen financial emergencies. This ensures we safeguard our organization's assets and financial standing through diligent monitoring and rapid response capability. Your support contributes to this vigilant oversight, helping us make a positive impact with confidence.
The Governance and Nominations Committee, consisting of board members, plays a key role in managing the selection, recruitment, and onboarding of new board members.
Supported by the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Governance Officer, the committee meets as necessary and reports directly to the Board of Directors. In 2022, the board conducted assessments of multiple potential candidates and nominated one person for membership.
At Islamic Relief Canada, we emphasize the importance of effective risk management in achieving our strategic priorities and fulfilling our mission for the communities we serve.
The Finance, Audit, and Risk Management Committee (FARM) reviews the organization's top 10 risks quarterly, while the Board of Directors conducts an annual review. Oversight of risk registers and compliance is managed by our Chief Governance Officer, who provides quarterly reports to both FARM and the Board.
The organization's top risks are consistently monitored, including Bank de-risking, Programming, Safeguarding, Fundraising and Marketing, and Information Management (including cybersecurity). Mitigation plans for these risks are regularly reviewed and updated to ensure the continued success of our mission.
At Islamic Relief Canada, our commitment to safeguarding is unwavering, and we tailor our protocols to meet the unique needs of the communities we serve. Every safeguarding report is treated with the utmost seriousness, and we follow our established procedures diligently.
At the core of our safeguarding efforts is a survivor-centred philosophy, ensuring that those affected receive our full support and that their voices and well-being are our top priorities.
We are consistently refining our safeguarding frameworks. Our FARM committee has thoroughly reviewed and endorsed an updated complaints policy; alongside this, a serious incident protocol is in place, fully endorsed by the Board of Directors. These measures are carefully crafted to proactively address issues, with clear trigger points for swift and appropriate responses.
The Board of Directors is dedicated to protecting and advocating for everyone we engage with, providing support and recourse in case of any incidents of abuse. We are actively working to enhance our systems and processes, striving for excellence in protection, prevention, detection, and support mechanisms. This commitment to continual improvement reflects our deep-rooted dedication to creating a safe and supportive environment for all our stakeholders. Your support helps us maintain these high standards.
There are common challenges when implementing and operating programs across many of our countries of operation, from Ethiopia to Lebanon and Afghanistan, to name a few. Insecurity and inflation remain key challenges, particularly when operating within fragile crises.
Our country teams address insecurity through the sensitive management of relations with the relevant local authorities and communities. They coordinate movement within project areas and adhere to context-specific security standard operating procedures.
In terms of inflation, we analyze the level of risk and plan accordingly. For example, if an analysis illustrates a potential rise in the price of specific commodities during an emergency, we strive to initiate procurement as quickly as possible and secure a reasonable price with a supplier for the remainder of the project.
Regardless of programmatic challenges and risks that arise, Islamic Relief Canada remains adaptable to any context, trying our absolute best to mitigate risks and respond in a timely manner.
We prioritize the world's most vulnerable, employing an equitable approach to address each community's needs. Through a collaborative process with communities, we select rights-holders based on vulnerability and criteria, ensuring assistance reaches those most in need. The participation of rights-holders in projects ensures tailored support to meet their specific needs.
Why do we call our beneficiaries “rights-holders”?
We adopt a rights-based language to decolonize our nonprofit work. Unlike the term "beneficiary," which stems from colonial practices, our human rights-based approach recognizes and addresses inequality and discrimination. We work alongside marginalized communities to empower them in claiming and seeking redress for their rights.
Our responses prioritize the dignity, safety, and unique needs of individuals and groups, ensuring an equitable approach.
We recognize and address the specific priorities and vulnerabilities of unique groups, such as protection risks and accessibility needs. Our responses prioritize the dignity, safety, and unique needs of individuals and groups, ensuring an equitable approach. We consider factors like the time and location of aid distribution, incorporating measures to address the diverse needs of groups like female-headed households or people with disabilities.
Placing each community at the core of our response, we engage in participatory community processes. Our projects are rooted in understanding the needs, barriers, capacities, and opportunities of women, men, girls, and boys. For instance, women and girls are directly involved in selecting water well locations or bathroom facilities, addressing their safety concerns and enhancing their ability to participate in economic activities for an improved quality of life.
When earthquakes strike vulnerable communities, floods leave thousands displaced, and escalations of violence worsen already dire conditions, Islamic Relief is on the ground responding immediately. In 2023 we were able to respond to numerous emergencies around the world and continue our ongoing efforts to provide life-saving relief to over 750,000 people
Our emergency responses assess the urgent needs of the community and implement tailored life-saving humanitarian aid. We work efficiently to ensure the most vulnerable have access to food, clean water, shelter, and basic services such as education, sanitation, and healthcare. When the cameras leave, we are still on the ground, rebuilding communities and helping them recover from tragedy.
$29,186,428
751,798
Escalations of violence and a total siege on Gaza have forcibly displaced 1.9 million people, orphaned nearly 25,000* children, and killed tens of thousands of people. Lack of fuel, clean water, and limited food supplies have forced the healthcare system into a state of total collapse, and caused significant levels of dehydration, starvation, and disease.
Working alongside local partners, Islamic Relief is providing medical supplies and equipment to local hospitals, clean water, psychosocial support for children, fresh produce, and bedding items. As part of the Humanitarian Coalition , donations made to Islamic Relief Canada between October 7 to November 12, 2023, were matched by the Government of Canada.
From October 7 to December 18, 2023, through the collective support of all Islamic Relief offices globally, you helped provide:
2.2 million medical supply items
12,270 food packs
4,245 food vouchers
Fresh produce to 63,409 households
944,525 ready-to-eat meals + ready-to-eat items to 14,608 families
11,033 blankets and mattresses
16,404 people received clean water
36,956 hygiene kits + items to 18 shelters
39,100 children received psychosocial support
*The numbers of individuals displaced in Gaza and children orphaned are specific to the time of this publication, December 18, 2023.
In early September, Morocco’s High Atlas region was struck with a 6.8 magnitude earthquake which impacted 2.8 million people, displaced 500,000, and left 2,900 dead. The earthquake and its aftershocks heavily damaged vital housing, healthcare, and education infrastructure.
Islamic Relief Canada’s earthquake response in Marrakech focuses on addressing food insecurity and precarious housing needs, as well as promoting better sanitation and hygiene practices. To support the most affected and vulnerable communities, we have provided 1,850 food packs, 18 prefabricated houses, 8 latrines equipped with handwashing facilities, and 8 shower facilities in community camps, reaching 9,250 individuals to date.
Together with the efforts of all Islamic Relief offices across the world, you helped provide:
10,488 winter kits 16,980 hygiene kits 1,850
Your Zakat helped here!
Seven months into Sudan’s civil war, 9,000 people have been killed and another 5.6 million forced to flee their homes. The fighting has created a humanitarian emergency both inside Sudan and in neighbouring host countries, which were already struggling to cope with mass displacement, economic turmoil, and climate shocks before civil war erupted in Sudan this past April.
To address the needs of internally displaced people, host community members, and refugees in Khartoum and Al Jazirah States, Islamic Relief Canada is reaching 17,000 individuals with food, clean water, health services, and protection support. This includes cash grants, hygiene kits, water storage supplies, psychosocial support, food, and medicine and fuel to hospitals.
Through the collective support of Islamic Relief offices globally, 310,293 people in Sudan have been provided with:
1,910 metric tons of food
562 hygiene kits
776 water storage supplies
Sorghum and sesame seeds to 20,000 farmers
Healthcare and nutrition services through 9 health facilities
Medicinal supplies to 16 hospitals and 6 clinics
Multipurpose cash grants to 2,861 families
Psychosocial support and recreational activities
Islamic Relief is providing WASH, health, food, and shelter support to communities in Gaziantep, Hatay, Kahramanmaras, Kilis, and Sanliurfa provinces of Turkiye; as well as in Idlib and Aleppo in Syria. As part of the Humanitarian Coalition , donations made to Islamic Relief Canada between February 6 to 22, 2023, were matched by the Government of Canada. Global Affairs Canada also provided funding to help support our response to the earthquakes.
The provision of hygiene kits, water tanks, water trucking, and solid waste removal services are underway in both countries. To address health concerns, essential medical supplies are being provided to health facilities and healthcare workers are receiving stipends while women and children continue to access traumainformed psychosocial services.
Vouchers and food packs consisting of rice, sugar, olive oil, bread, and tomato paste have been distributed to vulnerable foodinsecure families to support their immediate nutritional needs. Displaced families have also received tents, blankets, solar light kits, and shelter support.
Reached through funds from Islamic Relief Canada
Emergency Highlight
In Turkiye and Syria, the collective efforts of Islamic Relief offices across the world helped distribute the following to 1,086,310 rights-holders:
4,804 food packs and 15,000 food vouchers
5,500 hygiene kits which include soap, towels, toothbrush and more
300,943 food items such as bread, cakes and drinks
408,431 medical items
23,486 mattresses, blankets, tents or plastic sheets
613 child kits and diapers for kids and the elderly
305 fireplaces
5,417 m3 water
469,230 kg of heating material
The shift from our old tattered tent to a house with a stable roof over our heads has brought so much comfort, security, and joy to us! Our new home is a safe haven that relieves us from the harsh summer and cold winter. This is not just a simple house but rather a place that carries within its walls our beautiful memories and our aspirations for a better future.
At 52 years old, Fadi’s father has experienced unimaginable loss and pain. Violence and destruction from the ongoing Syrian civil war forced his family to flee northern Hama. As bombs rained down on their home, he tragically lost 2 of his sons.
Displaced from the home he built brick-by-brick, and reeling with grief, Fadi’s father made the heartbreaking decision to leave. His family moved city to city in search of safety during their yearslong journey of displacement until they settled in Salqin, a town in northern Syria near the Turkish border, to call their new home.
For a while this was enough. Fadi’s father shares, “Because of my old age, I cannot work too much. I sold some of my household furniture in order to pay rent and make ends meet. But we mainly depended on humanitarian aid. It’s tough but we are survivors.”
In February, the earthquakes that struck Turkiye and northern Syria took his home.
Through Islamic Relief’s shelter project in response to the earthquake, Fadi’s family were provided with a housing unit to entirely call their own! With complete ownership over their new home, his family has full access to three rooms, a kitchen, and bathroom.
He shares, “I no longer have to think about how to secure our monthly rent, as we have complete ownership over our new home. The amount that I previously saved for rent can now be used for urgent needs such as food, drinks, furniture, and clothes for my children.”
For families in search of safety and shelter like Fadi’s, your support is like the comfort of home.
Islamic Relief Canada is a member of the Humanitarian Coalition, an association of the top 12 leading aid organizations to provide Canadians with a simple and effective way to help during international humanitarian disasters.
In response to emergencies, member agencies unite to raise funds by mobilizing media, businesses and individual Canadians – all with the purpose of saving more lives together. The Canadian Government exclusively awards any matching funds during emergencies to the Humanitarian Coalition, allowing us to get your donations doubled when it’s needed most.
In 2023, Islamic Relief Canada launched three joint appeals through the Humanitarian Coalition, all of which had government matching funds.
Joint Appeal & Government Matching Fund
Joint Appeal & Government Matching Fund
Joint Appeal & Government Matching Fund
Islamic Relief employs an integrated approach in our emergency response and development work, and that is why we design our projects to combine multiple sectors: food security, education, health, livelihood, protection, shelter and water, sanitation, and hygiene.
Our development projects address a number of cross-cutting issues at the same time, providing long-term sustainable and community oriented solutions. This ensures both an amplified impact and sustainable change.
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1,903,313 Rights-Holders $22,641,217 Total Funds Allocated 28 Countries 94 Projects
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Empowering families to run their own businesses and implement innovative food solutions, as a vital key to bringing communities out of poverty. 37 Projects in 2023
Qurbani+ is Islamic Relief’s livestock microfinance program integrated within our flagship Qurbani Program. The program expands the impact of the Qurbani program by including rightholders in the process that leads up to the purchase of animals for Qurbani each year through fattening of animals, agriculture farming, and fodder production and processing.
Qurbani+ supports the livelihoods of farmers by selecting families who are provided with animals and the resources for looking after these animals, including food, veterinary services, water, shelter, and access to markets. Once rights-holders are provided animals, they raise and fatten them and sell them back to the Islamic Relief Qurbani Program, for which they receive a percentage of the profits.
individuals
In Sudan, 60 families were provided with sheep to care for. Their communities were given fodder production shops, and certain rights-holders were trained in veterinary care. These rights-holders were further trained in micro-finance techniques, forming a local savings group to continue increasing their income generation beyond this project, encouraging a better future for all!
Mrs. Umi Atya is a widowed mother whose husband and home were lost to liquefaction in the Balaroa Village, Indonesia. As the sole caretaker of her family, she did not fall into despair and continued moving forward.
Umi works hard to fulfill her family's well-being. She works as a tailor and part-time as a masseuse to increase her earnings and provide for her children's daily needs and academy fees.
She was selected to be a part of Islamic Relief’s Sustainable Livelihood Recovery Through Islamic Social Enterprise project, where she participated in data collection, socialization activities, and self-help group activities.
Through this project, Umi has been able to recover and build back better. She looks forward to continuing her progress by learning business planning and improving her livelihood earnings, and bettering her financial situation.
For widowed women like Umi, your generosity and support enable them to rebuild after calamity. YOU are helping them generate livelihoods and reach economic empowerment!
Saving lives by providing urgent medical support, access to health and psychosocial services, and implementing innovative food solutions globally to improve food security, sustainability and nutrition.
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Projects in 2023
1,039,928
Rights-Holders
Project Highlight
Funded by
This project works in Mali, using a faith-based approach to integrate increased awareness and knowledge on sexual reproductive health and rights into youth life in the Koulikoro Region. Secondarily, it uses adolescent-focused media and communication platforms to support regular engagement and promote discussion on sexual reproductive health and rights. These discussions included:
• Understanding the concept of maternal and child health, prenatal and postnatal consultations and STIs and HIV in women and adolescents
• Gender-based violence and types of violence, and the the consequences of gender-based violence on women, girls and boys
• Pregnancy-related complications during delivery (prolonged labour, slowed labour, fetal distress, retained placenta)
Through this project, we are training community and faith leaders, as well as peer leads, to conduct awareness-raising campaigns and cervical and breast cancer screenings. These leaders provide health kits, and subsidize transportation to health clinics, improving access to health for the most vulnerable.
30,695 individuals
Umm Majid lives in the Al-Athar camp, a refugee camp for internally displaced people near the Syrian-Turkish border. The ongoing war and conflict in Syria uprooted her entire life, ripping her away from the home she and her husband had created for their young children.
As a pregnant woman living in a refugee camp with little access to healthcare, the future is frightening. Umm Majid shared, “Camp life is very difficult, in the winter we suffer from water leakage, and in summer the tents increase temperatures to the point of suffocation.”
Through Islamic Relief's ongoing work in Syria, we are providing newborn kits and baby milk formulas to over 25,000 rightsholders.
“The Islamic Relief Centre provided free care for me throughout pregnancy and childbirth. In addition to providing a new-born basket that we cannot buy due to lack of money. This basket contains baby clothes, soap, diapers, baby shampoo, adult shampoo, and women's prayer clothes. I thank God that I got this special basket after my birth.”
Umm Majid shares her joy and gratitude for Islamic Relief, and donors like you! You have provided women like her with the needs and services that they cannot obtain in refugee camps, alleviating suffering and providing hope.
Building safer and more equitable communities by fighting gender-based violence, inequality and poverty and advocating for human rights, equitable access to education and dignity for all.
Projects in 2023
186,452
Rights-Holders
Project
This project aims to reduce the poverty rates, particularly of vulnerable women, in Herat and Nangarhar, Afghanistan through livelihood and education development. By providing education opportunities for women and girls, we hope to empower them to create their own dignified livelihoods.
Livelihood opportunities include literacy, vocational, and life-skill training, along with self-help groups to ensure long-term success. Education is a key component of this project, with importance placed on the education of girls through community awareness sessions, teacher retention, and the provision of educational material.
Rayana is a dedicated third-year student at Pobedinskoe State College in Grozny district of Chechnya. For the most vulnerable youth, vocational education is a path to gaining employment, improving livelihoods, and following their dreams.
At 15, with her mother’s support, Rayana enrolled in the tailoring department at the local college, with the dream of becoming a fashion designer.
The local college had only one sewing machine, shared amongst 15 girls, each one patiently awaiting their turn to practice their skills. Rayna shared, “Even when you are highly motivated, you need materials and equipment to try your hand at, to gain the skills and develop them and then improve”
Islamic Relief took the opportunity to support the education of countless young girls and boys like Rayana, by providing the college with welding equipment and facilities for a sewing workshop.
Rayana smiled while sharing her gratitude for donors like you,
“I want to wish success and good health to all the people who provided important assistance to the ones who need it. We only live once and if we do not give to people what we can give to them in due time we may not have this chance later on. This helps us understand that happiness comes from the ability to give to others what the Almighty grants us with His mercy!”
By supporting education for the youth you’re empowering them to sew their dreams into reality, achieve employable skills, and build livelihoods to support their futures!
Working to ensure greater water equality, sanitation, and hygiene are achieved to improve the essential health of communities.
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181,899
Lebanon continues to suffer an energy crisis, where the state grid’s electricity has significantly reduced across the country, with some areas left with no more than two hours of energy a day. In the Beqaa governorate, this is a massive concern for many villages, which rely on state grid electricity to function their water pumps for water access.
Islamic Relief worked with Azhar El Beqaa, an institution that owns 550,000 m2 of land for agricultural use and generates income from this which directly supports 760 students, employees, vulnerable families, and agricultural workers. We provided solar energy solutions to the existing water well, maintaining a constant water supply to the Azhar El Beqaa lands.
This access to clean water is vital to sustaining the livelihoods of all who depend on this agricultural land, reducing vulnerability and improving educational access and psychosocial well-being. These solar energy solutions will provide a reliable, sustainable energy source for years to come.
906 individuals
Mustafa, and her husband, Abdul have been living in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh since leaving Myanmar, where they feared for their lives due to persecution.
After their sole son and lone breadwinner passed away, Mustafa and Abdul became dependent on humanitarian aid to survive. Mustafa shared how difficult life had become for them, “Sometimes I feel so tired waiting in the queue for water, but I have no choice. I feel so bad remembering my son. If he were alive, he would have done these tasks for me.”
Clean water, water treatment, and general waste management are of high concern for the countless living in these camps. Due to congestion and competing priorities, the drains within camps were not cleaned regularly, leaving an awful stink from overflowing amounts of waste.
Islamic Relief took responsibility for the water, sanitation, and hygiene in Mustafa and Abdul’s camp. Through volunteers and staff members, they regularly clean drains, preventing the spread of disease and unbearable scents.
Mustafa shared her prayers and gratitude for you, “I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for saving us from diseases and the awful stink in front of our shelter.”
Everyone deserves to live with cleanliness and dignity. Generous donors like you ensure we can take special care of the elderly within our global community through water, sanitation, and hygiene projects.
With your support, our Orphan Sponsorship Program has helped transform countless lives, families, and communities around the world. We’ve grown exponentially – just over ten years ago, we were sponsoring 198 orphans worldwide. Today, this number is over 24,000, Alhamdulillah!
Each donor is paired on a direct 1-1 basis with an orphan in need. Your monthly cash sponsorship is transferred to our field offices quarterly for immediate distribution to the same orphan to uplift their lives and help change their futures. 80% of your sponsorship goes directly to the orphan in the form of a cash transfer, while 20% supports operating costs for this program, which are essential to its success and ensure sustainable support for each orphan.
80% of your sponsorship goes directly to the orphan
20% of your sponsorship supports operating costs
Your donation is sent in the form of a cash transfer on a true 1-1 basis, and directly helps protect the well-being, safety, health, education and social environments of your sponsored orphan. It allows them to be individually supported, improves family stability and promotes sustainable development for the entire community. It’s your generosity that helps fill the gap in their lives. Thank you for showing them that they are not alone.
In addition to supporting your orphan and their family, your donation covers these essential costs to ensure the quality and sustainability of our program.
• Your orphan biodata & progress reports
• Home visits to the families and monitoring
• Communal activities to benefit orphan families
• Exchange rates & costs to transfer payments
• Data protection to safeguard donor & orphan info
We work hard to ensure the well-being of the children in our care through yearly assessments conducted by our field officers, in addition to periodic check-ins to ensure the children are safe and looked after.
$18,157,584
25 Countries
11,187
24,145 Orphans Sponsored Because Of
12,958
Over the last 6 years, we have seen immense growth in our Orphan Sponsorship Program. Because of donors like you, since 2018, we have DOUBLED the number of orphans we are currently supporting around the world!
Islamic Relief Canada is fully committed to working closely with donors to ensure a smooth transition as we aim to move current Orphan Sponsorship donors from our region-specific price points to our new price of $90/month or $1,080/year. The new pricing was launched in June of this year, and our gradual transition for current donors will continue to take place over the next year.
The new price point of $90/month or $1,080/year per sponsored orphan will increase the direct cash transfer amount that each orphan receives. In the face of rising costs globally, this increased amount helps to better account for their basic and unmet needs, ensuring your sponsored orphans can attain quality food, continue their education, and afford rent during a cost of living crisis.
Determining the $90 price point was a thorough process that took a few years.
Thorough research on cost of living Needs assessments with families in each country
Consensus on global average of $90/month Averaging the
"Thanks to your sponsorship I was able to register my daughter in kindergarten. I also paid for her uniform, backpack, and education fees. Not only has our financial situation gotten better, but we also feel less stressed because we now have a stable income that secures our needs."
Tahani Zabout is a widowed mother of 3 in Gaza who left home with her daughters after her husband’s death. Tahani’s husband fought a long battle with mental illness and constant relapse, and eventually passed away from Covid-19.
After his death, Tahani worried about providing for her young daughters. She went door to door, seeking support from as many institutions as possible yet received no answer. But Islamic Relief Palestine and you answered her call. “The moment Islamic Relief called me and told me that my daughter, Alaa, got sponsored I felt so relieved!”
With her first payment through your sponsorship, “I started to write down the things we wanted to buy. I took Alaa with me early in the morning and bought her a doll in addition to many groceries. I also bought a pair of shoes for her sister, Nour, and a jacket for Islah.”
The cash transfers through the Orphan Sponsorship Program helped to alleviate Tahani’s financial burden, giving her the opportunity to take on a healthier workload, enforce a better work-life balance, and enjoy her time with family.
She shared, “I’m now spending a lot more time with my 3 daughters, and I am doing my best to brighten their lives. You have given me the opportunity to give them a better life. Thank you for not leaving us alone. I am forever grateful for your life-changing support.”
Islamic Relief Canada is committed to reducing poverty both around the world and right here at home in Canada. We work with local grassroots organizations to empower individuals in order to build healthy communities from coast to coast.
From responding to emergencies like wildfires and floods, empowering youth to create better futures, providing mental health counselling to resettling refugees, providing warm meals, and so much more — we do it all through your support.
Through Healing As One, a registered charity that provides support to youth and families in need, Islamic Relief Canada covered the salary of an employment coordinator. In this position, the employment coordinator provided resume, interview, and employment readiness workshops to 133 youth, as well as secured 47 placements at local organizations including Shoot for Peace, Noor’s Pizza, and Regent Park Film Festival.
Two youths from the program shared immense gratitude for their placement opportunities . “I was going through a really bad period of depression, and distanced myself from loved ones. When I was accepted into this program, secured a job, and made new but surely life-long friends I had realized how much this positive environment fueled me to recover and strive for more.”
His friend shared, “I used to do anything to avoid going home. After the psychological and physical abuse got to a level I could no longer handle, I left home indefinitely. I was in and out of shelters for 5 months.”
The youth placement opportunity provided him with a sense of community and some financial stability. “After the longest 5 months of my life I was finally able to secure housing for myself. I’m currently juggling school and part time work but I’m happy to have a roof over my head and a group of people in my life who genuinely care.”
When you support our programs in marginalized communities, you support youth like the ones in Healing As One, ensuring everyone has equal opportunities to achieve their goals and dreams!
Supporting vulnerable communities in reducing poverty by improving living conditions, access to basic necessities, equal opportunity to skills, and employment. Building resilience in the face of disasters by providing families urgently needing assistance with life-saving food, water, shelter, medicine, and other essential items whilst supporting long-term recovery for communities.
8
43,282
Project Highlight
When the temperature drops, Islamic Relief Canada organizes its annual Winter Warmth program, providing winter kits to those in most need. This project targets the unhoused and vulnerable individuals across Canada during the coldest months of the year.
These distributions are being carried out across cities in Canada, from Yellowknife to Halifax. Our regional teams work closely with community partners, local suppliers and local organizations to provide essential items, including:
• Deodorant
• Face wipes
• Winter gloves
• Hats
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Body wash
• Soap
• Lotion
• Toothbrush
• Chapstick
• Toothpaste
• Granola bars
• Underwear
• Winter socks
• Hand warmers
• Blankets
• Winter scarf
• Giftcards
Your Zakat helped here!
4,650 individuals
Supporting programming catered to marginalized communities, such as people of colour and Indigenous groups, in the sectors of health, livelihood, protection, and food security.
We support programming that uplifts communities, engages community members in volunteer work, raises awareness, and creates opportunities to address pressing community needs. 20 Projects
During Ramadan, it can be especially challenging for Muslims who are incarcerated in prisons across Canada to practice their faith and observe the holy month with dignity. Islamic Relief Canada, working with the Al Furqan Foundation and Iqbal Foods, provided items for the Ramadan kits. These were provided as a means to elevate their spiritual connection and faith during the sacred month of Ramadan. Items included:
• Dates
• Thermos
• Kufi/Hijab
• Prayer Mat
• Tasbeeh
Supporting projects that build safer and more just communities for women and girls through gender-sensitive projects that increase access to education, food security, maternal health, nutrition, and sustainable income.
3 Projects in 2023
5,150 Rights-Holders
This project supports victims of gender-based violence through an after-hours helpline staffed by trained social workers trained in spiritual and culturally sensitive coaching, through the Islamic Family & Social Services Association (IFSSA) in Edmonton. It provides culturally relevant supports that speak to the complex identities of Albertans holistically
The project also supports social workers and clients with a clinical director and registered psychologist. The after-hours helpline especially helps to support victims of gender-based violence who can’t access the office. It is one of the few helplines focused on the specialized needs of Black, Indigenous, and people of colour communities.
5,000 individuals
• Ramadan Food Program
• Qurbani / Udhiya Program
• Aqiqah Program
• Eid Gifts Distribution
22 Countries $8,402,731
Total Funds Allocated
3 YEAR GROWTH
Total Weight of Food Distributed (kg)
942,044 1,168,597 1,016,363
2021 2022 2023
Total Rights-Holders Reached
626,672 576,507 712,859
2021 2022 2023
With your support, we distributed food packs in impoverished communities to provide relief during the blessed month of Ramadan. Through this effort, we also distributed your Zakat al-Fitr, Fidya , and Kaffara payments in the form of food supplies to the poorest of the poor.
Food items are procured locally within each country whenever possible to ensure that they’re appropriate for the recipients and beneficial to the economy.
While the contents vary according to region, local diet customs and availability, each food pack usually contains:
With the rising food prices and increased cost of living, people are struggling more than ever to afford staple food items. Our team took this into consideration when planning this year’s Ramadan food packs.
This year, the average weight of the Ramadan food packs has increased from 29.48 kg to 56.77 kg to provide 27 kg more of food to families, helping them enjoy warm meals for the entire month of Ramadan.
How this looks across each country differs. In some countries, this means increasing the number of food items so families receive a diverse range of culturally-inclusive food to cook meals out of. For others, they are simply increasing the weight of each food item that is provided in the packs. In the countries where vouchers are distributed, families are given the monetary cost equivalent to our average food pack weight, so that they will be able to buy even more food to meet their specific needs.
114,684 People Were Sustained This Ramadan Because of You Across 14 Countries
892,000 individuals reached across 31 Countries Through the global effort of all Islamic Relief offices
Your kindness gifted smiles to orphans and vulnerable children on Eid day through new clothes, shoes, school bags and educational material, toys, and sweets. These gifts full of joy were distributed across 4 countries including Lebanon, Palestine (Gaza), Somalia, and Yemen!
3,329 Children
Received Your Eid al-Fitr Gifts!
4,572 Children
Received Your Eid al-Adha Gifts!
Figures above are a reflection of Islamic Relief Canada’s portion of the larger Eid Gifts projects funded by our global offices.
For Eid al-FItr, all Islamic Relief offices reached 46,393 individuals across 17 countries
while for Eid al-Adha 30,342 individuals were reached in 18 countries
Qurbani and Udhiya is among the first programs started by Islamic Relief in 1986 and recurs every year when Muslims around the world commemorate Eid Al-Adha and sacrifice livestock to feed the needy.
Over 35 years, we’ve developed a very efficient, cost-effective and reliable process. In the countries we work, the entire Qurbani process from start to finish is regulated to the highest Islamic, ethical, and humanitarian standards.
Our offices organize everything in advance to fulfill your sacrifice, including buying high-quality animals from local farms and on Eid, ensuring your sacrifice is done humanely, hygienically, and without waste.
A total of 748 meat packs were distributed this year to celebrate the births of our donors’ newborn children, with quality fresh meat distributed to vulnerable families in Ethiopia.
We utilized a community-led approach in the process of sacrifice and distribution to involve community organizations and volunteers along with staff and provide dignified paid labour opportunities for those in need.
4,451 Rights-holders Reached through Aqiqah!
3.4
The hard-earned trust of our donors is the foundation that makes our work possible.
Did you know you can follow where your donations go?
Follow Your Donation is an entire approach to elevate your experience as a donor with Islamic Relief Canada so that you can truly know the difference your donation makes.
This means videos, reports, publications, blogs, and emails to help you see the impact of your donations, the people you’ve helped, and all the incredible stories that happen along the way.
For every $1 we raise:
$0.86 goes directly into helping people in need
0.03 towards administrative costs
0.11 to raise more funds
For every 1 cent that we spend on fundraising, we raise an additional 9 cents.
That’s an extra 90 cents on top of your $1. Your donation is nearly DOUBLED.
At Islamic Relief, we strive to continuously challenge ourselves, deliver on our responsibilities with excellence, and adhere to the highest standards when implementing our work, all the while maintaining a reasonable level of overhead and honouring the trust our donors place in us. When it comes to our overhead costs, we invest in two key areas – reducing our risk, and maximizing our impact.
Fundraising costs are an essential investment to generate more income, which means we are able to help even more people. Through this, we leverage the reach of our teams, communities, partner organizations, and digital platforms to create a bigger impact every year.
We do our utmost to maximize the value of your donation to help your dollar go further. This means getting the best value for money to help deliver aid on the ground as well as raising more funds for the people who need it the most.
It costs money to deliver aid and to do it well, especially in an international humanitarian context. Doing so ensures our rightsholders get the best possible support and that the money goes exactly where it is needed, while remaining compliant with local and international regulators.
Our admin cost helps us increase the quality and efficacy of our work and avoid duplication of efforts or any waste. It also allows us to adhere to the highest standards of oversight, compliance and accountability. Ultimately, it means increased accountability and transparency for you.
That is why information on overhead costs and our annual audited financial statements are readily available on our website
In 2023, we invested 11% of our income to raise more funds, which helped to generate a total income of over $109 million last year alone. Over the past three years, our fundraising initiatives and investments have meant that the number of projects and rights-holders we’ve been able to support all around the world have doubled
Your donations are spread across various charitable funds, each one fulfilling a particular humanitarian and development need. In 2023, our largest charitable expenditures were for emergency relief, development work, as well as our orphan sponsorship program.
Each year, our programs’ budgets and plans are created with the needs of our rights-holders at the forefront, and each of our projects are developed from needs assessments conducted in the field, aiming to target the most pressing needs on the ground.
We strive to maintain a healthy split between responding to humanitarian emergencies to address urgent needs and designing and implementing long-term development projects that address root cause issues to enhance food security, livelihood, education, and much more.
Charitable Expenditure by Program Charitable Expenditure by Donation Type
Over the last three years, Islamic Relief donors have demonstrated tremendous generosity, resulting in donation revenues growing over 50% ($38M) since 2021. This rise in Islamic Relief Canada’s donations has been driven by a passionate and innovative community engagement team of staff and volunteers across the country, leading to continued donor trust that their donations will be effectively put to use. Yearover-year, our core donor base continues to be our grassroots communities across the country; whenever and wherever there has been a need, our Canadian donors have been ready to answer the call.
We also experienced an increase in programming expenditures of over 60% ($33M) in that timeframe. As our revenues grow, so does our commitment and ability to serve those most in need. This rise in programming expenditures is driven by this growth and is impacted by several factors, including the timing of payments and fluctuating foreign exchange rates, more proactive cash flow management, shifting towards larger dollar value, long-term projects, and the timing and scale of humanitarian disasters around the globe. Based on our strategy, one of our key strategic focus areas in the coming years is to maximize our impact through sustainable programs while remaining responsive to urgent humanitarian emergencies. Therefore, when a humanitarian emergency occurs, such as the ongoing carnage we are witnessing in Gaza, our emergency response expenditure can experience a significant rise as we work to deliver urgent aid as soon as possible.
Our overhead costs, broken into fundraising and administrative costs, experienced growth of approximately 35% ($4M) since 2021, driven by strategic spending as well as significant inflationary pressures. As our organization matures, these expenditures allow us to maximize the impact our organization can make. The rise in these costs is associated with the organization's growth as we aim to fulfill our mission, as well as the trends in the economy in which we operate.
Our overhead costs ($15M) declined slightly in proportion to revenue, falling from 15.4% in 2021, to 13.8% in 2023. As our organization matures, we continue to assess our overhead and ensure every dollar is spent in the most impactful manner. The fluctuation in these costs is associated with the organization's growth as we aim to fulfill our mission, as well as the trends in the economy in which we operate.
Our fundraising efforts ensure that we continuously strive to grow to help even more rights-holders in need. These efforts, coupled with the generosity of our donors, have allowed us to grow each of our programs, such as supporting 20,000 orphans in 2021 to over 28,000 orphans today. This is coupled with our admin costs, which are essential for us to manage our risk, maintain appropriate controls, and ensure the highest level of compliance at our organization. Together, these costs are essential investments into the sustainability of Islamic Relief Canada and our work.
We retain a certain amount of funds every year to ensure effective and responsible cash flow management and to comply with CRA regulations.Many of our projects span multiple years, and reserve funds are crucial to sustain the release of budgeted funds and ensure the effective completion of every phase. Moreover, our regulatory environment requires us to disburse funds only as key deliverables are completed for long-term projects. Our cash reserves are also essential to providing long-term recovery support for emergencies and ensuring aid is delivered in the most impactful manner. Overall, these funds allow us to operate with the highest degree of excellence and trust.
As we reflect on the challenges that marked a difficult 2023, I am filled with profound gratitude for the unwavering support and kindness that emanated from our grassroots community across Canada this year, and for the last 40 years since Islamic Relief’s inception!
In the face of adversity, your collective strength and compassion illuminated the darkest corners of despair.
Your generosity following the devastating earthquake in Turkiye and Syria resonated deeply with our hearts. For our Syrian brothers and sisters, already burdened by a decade of conflict and displacement, this disaster added another layer of hardship. Yet, with your steadfast support, we expanded our programs to provide not just immediate relief, but also a path towards lasting recovery.
We saw natural disasters in Libya and Morocco, where Islamic Relief was able to mobilize teams from the region to reach impacted areas and put your donations to work. Often facing personal sacrifice and risk, these individuals worked tirelessly to channel your donations into meaningful action. The impact of your contributions reached far and wide, delivering hope to those in need with unwavering excellence and integrity.
In Afghanistan, a nation grappling with multiple challenges, including earthquakes and the forced return of undocumented Afghans, your support has been a beacon of hope. During a visit to our dedicated team across multiple provinces, I witnessed firsthand their admirable efforts to uplift women, children, and men in the midst of adversity.
We saw an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, where the illegal blockade and siege preventing food, water, medicine, and fuel was compounded by relentless bombs that killed more than 18,000* innocent civilians. You joined 180,000+ other Canadians in answering the call by signing onto Islamic Relief's email petition to our elected officials. Islamic Relief stands united with our Palestinian family, unwavering in our commitment to rebuilding lives once humanitarian access is restored.
As we stand on the cusp of an unknown future in 2024, one thing remains constant—the power of community and the immense hearts of our donors. In 2024 we are celebrating 40 years as an organization. For four decades your commitment to solidarity with those suffering worldwide has been a source of inspiration, reminding us that even in uncertain times, we can make a difference.
Jazakum Allah khair, and from the depths of our hearts, thank you for being the pillars that uphold our mission. We are profoundly grateful, and none of this would be possible without you.
Jazakum Allah khair, and thank you for your support. We cannot do any of this without you!
Your brother,
Usama Khan CEO, Islamic Relief Canada
3501 Mainway
Burlington, ON L7M 1A9 www.islamicrelief.ca 1-855-377-4673 (HOPE)
Registered Charity No. 821896875RR0001