With a record 120 million people displaced worldwide, the need for humanitarian aid has never been more urgent, with more lives and futures at greater risk. This Ramadan, let us stand with millions fasting far from home, uncertain of when their next meal will come. With rising economic challenges, your Zakat can provide warm meals, clean water, and safe shelter.
For over 90 years, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) has responded to the world's most urgent crises. The IRC has worked with Islamic scholars and has received a fatwa confirming the IRC as a legitimate recipient of Zakat. We have launched a pilot Fund for Ramadan this year. We work in 40 countries, with more than half of them in Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) nations. Through your Zakat, IRC and partners can provide vital aid to displaced families.
FAQs:
What is Zakat?
Zakat is the third pillar of Islam—a mandatory charitable contribution that requires every eligible Muslim who meets a minimum savings threshold to donate 2.5% of their annual savings to help those in need.
Who is eligible for Zakat funds?
The Holy Qur'an designates eight categories eligible to receive Zakat, including the poor, the needy, debtors, wayfarers, and those who administrate it. Today, most of the 120 million refugees and internally displaced people (IDPs) fall into these groups, making them prime beneficiaries of Zakat support.
Why are refugees and displaced people eligible for Zakat?
The majority of the world's 120 million refugees fall under at least four of the eight Zakat categories mentioned in Qur'an 9:60, including: 1) Al Fuqara (the Poor); 2) Al Masakeen (the Needy); 3) Al Gharimin (the Debtors), and 4) Abna' Al Sabeel (the Stranded Travellers).
Why is the IRC creating a Zakat fund?
Zakat funds allow supporters and donors to direct their Zakat toward eligible refugees and IDPs. With roughly 50% of these populations originating from Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member countries, this fund will ensure that your contributions reach those who need them most.
What is the main objective of Zakat funds?
Our goal is to provide a trusted, compliant, and effective mechanism that channels the power of Zakat and Sadaqah to support vulnerable refugees and displaced families. This includes helping those with no other means of support, such as female-headed households, orphans, widows and their children.
How will beneficiaries receive your Zakat?
Your Zakat will be provided directly to beneficiaries—either as cash or in the form of goods, ensuring full compliance with Zakat guidelines.
How will we govern your Zakat donation?
- Management & Accountability: All funds will be held in a dedicated, interest-free bank account.
- Traceability: Every donation will be strictly allocated to Zakat-compliant activities in countries with urgent humanitarian needs.
- Transparency: We will ensure accurate reporting to our partners, outlining how and where funds are used.
- Fatwas Endorsement: We have engaged respected scholars and institutions worldwide. The IRC is now confirmed as an eligible recipient of Zakat contributions. You can read the fatwa here.
- Infrastructure: We will adhere to a 100% Zakat-distribution policy, and contributions will be disbursed to eligible beneficiaries within one year of receipt.
- Monitoring and Evaluation: An expert team will conduct internal compliance reviews with a third-party audit.
- Innovation: We are a sector leader in cost efficiency and program effectiveness; we have completed 400+ cost-efficiency analyses and will help ensure every dollar of your Zakat is spent based on evidence.
What is the main objective of Zakat funds?
Our goal is to provide a trusted, compliant, and effective mechanism that channels the power of Zakat and Sadaqah to support vulnerable refugees and displaced families. This includes helping those with no other means of support, such as female-headed households, orphans, widows and their children.
How will the IRC manage and allocate Zakat?
The IRC allocates Zakat funds to a dedicated, ring-fenced, interest-free Zakat fund. These funds will strictly be used to support lifesaving, Shariah-compliant humanitarian projects in eligible countries in MENA, Africa, and Asia where the IRC operates. Because IRC is piloting its Zakat fund this Ramadan, we may donate your Zakat to a Zakat-compliant partner or partners if we are not able to spend it in a Zakat-compliant manner.
Where will the IRC distribute Zakat funds?
Zakat funds will be used exclusively in IRC or IRC partner-led lifesaving humanitarian programs that meet Shariah principles in eligible countries, prioritizing urgent needs such as cash, food, water, shelter, medicines, and learning materials.
Where will Zakat contributions go?
Zakat may be distributed to any country or countries in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The IRC and partners currently distribute lifesaving aid to 21 OIC countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), Africa, and Asia. These include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Occupied Palestinian Territory (oPt), Pakistan, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Uganda, and Yemen. Reporting will be shared only regarding countries where funds are allocated each year.
How will the IRC ensure Zakat funds are distributed correctly?
The IRC, or its Zakat-compliant partners, will distribute Zakat funds directly to eligible beneficiaries without ineligible intermediaries and in line with Shariah principles. IRC will oversee the implementation and impact of Zakat-funded programs to maintain accountability or require adequate reporting from a partner.
How will Zakat contributions be distributed?
Adhering to strict Zakat guidelines, the IRC will uphold a 100% Zakat distribution policy. We will deliver support as either cash or goods, ensuring beneficiaries gain full ownership of the assistance they receive. Our interventions will include cash assistance, the provision of school equipment, food support, and essential supplies that help clients launch small businesses. Cash assistance, in particular, is a powerful tool that enables crisis-affected communities to secure their basic needs and live with dignity.
What is the 100% Zakat distribution policy?
In line with Zakat principles, no more than 1/8th of Zakat includes those who work on [administering] it (al-Amilīna Alayhā), with every dollar of the remaining contributions going directly to support crisis-impacted and Zakat-compliant clients, ensuring they help people in need of lifesaving humanitarian aid. No Zakat will be applied to indirect cost recovery, and the IRC doesn't deduct fees or wages for indirect cost recovery at the head office.
Have any institutions endorsed the IRC's Zakat Fund?
Yes, before launching the IRC Zakat Fund pilot, the IRC consulted with leading Islamic scholars and institutions. IRC is confirmed as an eligible recipient of Zakat contributions. We continue to receive endorsements from esteemed scholars and institutions worldwide. You can read the fatwa here.
What is cash assistance?
Cash assistance is one of our most impactful humanitarian programs, delivered through an extensive distribution network in MENA, Africa, and Asia. Utilizing technologies like ATMs and mobile payment, we ensure that cash reaches the most eligible people in need and intend to use Zakat funds to support cash assistance.
How do families typically use cash assistance?
Post-distribution monitoring reveals that recipients use cash primarily for essentials like rent, food, healthcare, and debt repayment. This support prevents eviction, covers medical expenses, reduces exploitative labor, and enables children to attend school—all while alleviating the crushing burden of debt until families can achieve self-reliance.
What will happen to unspent Zakat funds?
Unspent Zakat donations may be maintained in a Zakat fund and used for future emergencies affecting Zakat-eligible beneficiaries and projects within one year, either by us or by Zakat-compliant partners.
Will the IRC use Zakat funds for investments or non-Zakat activities?
No, Zakat funds will not be used for any interest-bearing investments, and no deductions will be made from Zakat contributions for non-Zakat-eligible activities.
How will the IRC ensure transparency and compliance in Zakat fund management?
The IRC will train relevant staff, including finance and program teams, on Zakat principles to ensure compliance with Shariah principles and best humanitarian practices. Zakat funds will also be tracked, and reporting will be available on an annual basis on rescue.org.
Will the IRC report back on Zakat funding?
Yes, the IRC will report annually on how Zakat funds were allocated, disbursed, and utilized. IRC reports will include impact assessments, beneficiary feedback and visual evidence where possible. External Sharia audits will verify compliance with the policy and program reports.
Why does the IRC seek Zakat donations? Isn't government funding sufficient?
While government funding supports many of our programs, it is not enough to meet the growing humanitarian needs, especially as foreign aid policies shift. Zakat and Sadaqah contributions serve as vital lifelines, ensuring the IRC can provide essential aid to displaced and crisis-affected communities who might otherwise go without support.
How does tax-efficient giving, like Gift Aid, impact Zakat contributions?
Where tax-efficient giving mechanisms, such as Gift Aid in the UK, allow the IRC to uplift a donation, the uplifted portion will be treated as an unrestricted contribution. This ensures that the original Zakat amount remains intact while the additional funds support priority programs.
What are the ways in which I can give to IRC's Zakat fund?
The IRC will accept Zakat contributions through this online form or deposited directly into the IRC's dedicated interest-free bank account. If you have questions about any other giving options, please talk with your IRC representative to learn what other options can be honored.
Can I specify how my Zakat donation is used?
Zakat donations will be pooled within our Zakat Fund to maximize impact within eligible humanitarian programs. If you would like to discuss your Zakat donation or other options for Zakat giving, please contact: zakat@rescue.org.