Muslim Charities Forum

Dr. Hany El-Banna, believes that only an army of humanitarian workers will be able to pull Pakistan out of their biggest natural disaster in half a century.

For more information please see the Press Release

The Muslim Charities Forum welcomes the British Muslim Charities’ effort in raising funds for and delivering aid to, the millions affected by the floods.

For more information please see the Press Release

The Muslim Charities Forum has released a statement on the recent violence in Kyrgyzstan.

It is a level of violence which has not been seen in that region for nearly two decades.

For more information please see the Press Release

The Muslim Charities Forum (MCF), a registered charity, based in London, seeks a committed and motivated ‘Intern’ to assist with information and communications. This role involves drafting and editing of text, for the MCF’s website and also of other communications tools such as, leaflets and brochures.

This is an excellent opportunity to gain valuable experience and skill that will assist you to develop your career in the not-for-profit sector.

If you have the skills and experience to make the most of this opportunity, combined with an interest in charities, we would like to hear from you. You will be required to attend the office, 5 days a week, for two months, commencing ideally from the 17th May 2010. A monthly allowance shall be offered to cover expenses.

For more information please see the job description, or to apply send your CV to recruitment@muslimcharitiesforum.org.uk.

Bond, the UK membership body for NGOs, has been working closely with other NGOs in Europe to ensure that the European Commission and Council of Ministers protect human rights and civil liberties when working to prevent terrorism.

In late 2009, the Swedish Presidency of the EU called for new European legislation on charities and terrorist financing. This would have meant an increased burden on international development NGOs, which in the UK are already heavily regulated by the Charity Commission, and could further have impeded NGOs’ work in areas where terrorist groups are perceived to be active. However, intensive lobbying by an ad hoc coalition of different civil society groups, including Bond, meant that the proposal was dropped.

Meanwhile, the Muslim Charities Forum has joined the Bond Conflict Policy Group and is very keen to lobby in order to ensure that the work of NGOs can continue despite national and international security concerns.

For more info, visit the Bond page on ‘Charities and Terrorism’.

The Muslim Charities Forum sent a letter to all main political party leaders urging them to recognise the vital role played by British Muslim-led Charities in bridging the cultural divide and educating the masses.

Dr. Hany El Banna, Chairman of the MCF, stated that “over the last 25 years, since the inception of organised Islamic charitable activities in the UK, there has been a huge shift in the mindset of Muslim donors and organisations. This recently led 20 UK-based Muslim-led Charities and NGOs to raise funds for Haiti - a Non Muslim country - following the devastating earthquake that hit this already very poor area. This response shows a humanitarian compassion which goes beyond sectarian, racial and religious boundaries”.

Finally, the MCF took this opportunity to wish all main party leaders the best in their election campaign, in the hope that they will be able to deliver a strong message of peace for humanity.

Following the devastating earthquake that has hit Haiti in which tens of thousands of people may have died in this already poor country, the Muslim Charities Forum (MCF) hosted a meeting on Thursday 21 January between UK-based Muslim-led NGOs and Non Muslim NGOs to discuss issues in depth.

This was a well-attended meeting. The idea behind it was to identify possibilities of channelling resources together and coordinating the funds received from Muslim Donors in order to ensure that they are spent in the most efficient way possible.

Sandrine Tiller, from the British Red Cross, stressed on the need to work collaboratively in order to improve the impact of aid efforts in Haiti. “It is very important to think about the long term recovery. If you coordinate, you are more effective.”

16 UK based Muslim-led charities are raising funds for Haiti. The amount raised could reach a total of £ 10 million pounds in the next couple of months. These charities include: Al Mustafa Trust International, Helping Hands Worldwide, Human Appeal International, Human Relief Foundation, Islamic Aid, Islamic Help, Islamic Relief, Minhaj Welfare Foundation UK, Muslim Aid, Muslim Care, Muslim Charity Helping the Needy, Muslim Global Relief, Muslim Hands, The World Federation of Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri Muslim Communities, UK Care for Children, Ummah Welfare Trust.

A devastating earthquake has hit Haiti in which tens of thousands of people may have died in this already-poor country, and many more will be affected by trauma and disease.

12 UK-based Muslim-led NGOs have started appeals to help as many people as possible in Haiti. They include Al Mustafa Trust International, Helping Hands Worldwide, Human Appeal International, Human Relief Foundation, Islamic Aid, Islamic Help, Islamic Relief, Muslim Aid, Muslim Charity Helping the Needy, Muslim Global Relief, Muslim Hands and Ummah Welfare Trust. Others will continue joining in the next hours and days.

Dr Hany El Banna OBE stressed the need for coordinated response today, urging actors to communicate fully. “This is a great success which reflects the maturity of the Muslim Charitable Sector. It is going beyond the sectarian, racial and religious boundaries. This is the true spirit of Islamic Humanitarianism.”

The Muslim Charities Forum has offered to host a meeting between UK-based Muslim-led organisations and international NGOs to discuss issues in depth.

We are pleased to announce the start of new partnership between the Muslim Charities Forum and the Euclid Network.

The Euclid Network is a European Network of Third Sector Leaders. It was established in 2007 as a joint venture between ACEVO (UK), CJDES (France) and Ideell Arena (Sweden), and connects around 300 leaders from 24 countries from across Europe for a more innovative, professional and stronger European civil society.

For more info, visit www.euclidnetwork.eu.

Many civil society organisations have signed this important document to create a strong platform of support for joint principles and demands.

This Manifesto has been produced by the BOND Policy and Lobbying Group and signed off by the Campaigning Coordination Team and will serve as the basis for the sector wide civil society General Election Campaign.

The Manifesto is a political document primarily aimed at political audiences, the development community and NGO supporters. It will be used first for each of the party conferences as well as for the "Great Persuasion" Mass Lobby on 17 October when it will be handed over to MPs and prospective candidates.