Author: Nadya Labiba

Through escalating assaults and fragile ceasefires, how is Islamic Relief delivering aid in Gaza?

Two years on, Israel’s deadly attacks have killed hundreds of civilians, including babies and children, to the point that nowhere is safe in Gaza.

This current update provides clarity on how our teams can continue delivering aid inside Gaza at the moment. This includes how Islamic Relief delivers aid and what type we distribute. 

The Breaking of the Ceasefires

The onslaught on 18 March 2025 was the deadliest since the ceasefire was announced in January. Families were woken as bombs tore through homes and shelters for displaced people. The attack struck without warning in the dead of night, with complete disregard for the safety of civilians.

Even before then, on March 2, Israel blocked all food, medicine, fuel, and other vital supplies from entering Gaza. This, along with bombing and starving Palestinians in Gaza, was a clear violation of international law.

The Israeli military started to order evacuations in northern and eastern Gaza, causing mounting fears of a renewed ground offensive.

The situation horrifyingly echoed last year’s forced displacement orders. Actions that forced families into increasingly confined areas, without adequate humanitarian assistance and under continuous bombardment.

Today, despite the ceasefire deal effective Friday, 10 October 2025, continuous shelling and attacks across Gaza, including “safe” zones, are causing persistent civilian casualties.

Yet, even with the dangers of delivering aid in Gaza, we, at Islamic Relief, remain committed to supporting the people and preventing further suffering. Currently, our team continues to deliver on the ground, distributing essential aid such as food, water, education, and other urgent support.

Islamic Relief’s Ongoing Presence in Gaza

Islamic Relief has been active in Palestine since 1997. We had a permanent office in Gaza, which was unfortunately destroyed late last year during one of the many airstrikes. However, our team is still active. We continue to operate in the Gaza Strip and deliver aid on a daily basis.  

Our team is active throughout Gaza. Currently, Islamic Relief focuses on supporting orphan families, distributing food, wellbeing support, education, cleaning, and hygiene services and other essential aid. Since October 7, 2023, we have delivered water, medicine, medical items, hygiene/dignity kits, psychosocial support, and healthcare services. 

Addressing Current Concerns About Getting Aid in Gaza

There is a significant amount of confusion regarding the delivery and distribution of aid in Gaza. News agencies are not always providing accurate or up-to-date information. As a result, some of our donors are confused as to what is happening, and three current general concerns have emerged.  

How Does Anything Get into Gaza?

The first concern is that nothing is getting into Gaza due to the ongoing blockade. Yes, the truth is that major international NGOs face imminent deregistration by the Israeli authorities, and most have been unable to deliver any supplies to Gaza since 2 March, even with the new ceasefire. However, many aid organisations, like Islamic Relief and our partnering organisations, such as the World Food Programme (WFP) and UNICEF, still have operations on the ground. We are searching every avenue possible to obtain supplies to continue delivering aid. Furthermore, our partnerships that help deliver medical aid, such as with the Palestinian Australian and New Zealand Medical Association (PANZMA), remain our most consistent form of aid.

How Can There Be Supplies Available in Gaza?

The second concern is that nothing is available within Gaza – no shops or suppliers, and no cash economy. While it is true that food and goods are hard to find, there are suppliers. Recently, prices for almost all items have been significantly lower due to increased supply. However, they remain above pre-war levels, partially because of an added illegal cost referred to as “coordination fees.” 

Likewise, availability remains critically low for essential, nutritious items, such as meat, chicken, fish, eggs, and dairy. On the other hand, non-essential items, such as sweets, chocolate, and soft drinks, are becoming increasingly visible in markets. Limited quantities of fuel and cooking gas are also now entering Gaza.

There is also some cash available, though getting access to this money is difficult and expensive. This is where the multipurpose cash grants Islamic Relief provides can help. Through a specialised account system, it tries to help ease the process of attaining cash, allowing families to purchase the supplies they need, without leaving them with unnecessary items.

Where Does Islamic Relief Operate in Gaza?

The last concern relates to where within Gaza Islamic Relief is working. We are currently still working all throughout Gaza. If the bombing in the north and east escalates once again, we will continue to work in Middle Gaza and southern Gaza (where Rafah and Khan Younis are).

Overall, the situation is uncertain and subject to change. It is reasonable to consider the entire Gaza Strip to be a war zone, with the possibility that intense fighting will break out anywhere. 

Our Current Response

Islamic Relief teams in Palestine are active right now! Below is an update on the total activities implemented as of March 27, 2026. We are currently focusing on providing medical aid, delivering food where possible, and distributing multipurpose cash grants to orphans and their families.  

This week, we successfully provided educational programs to 110 displaced students through Al-Tawasol Educational Center and Marah Kindergarten.

IR Partners (Overall Emergency Responses)

• Distributed food parcels to over 169,000 HH.
• Delivered over 936,000 people clean water.
• Distributed vegetable packs to 1.6 million HH.
• Delivered cleaning services and hygiene supplies for 85 shelters.

Overall, we, in partnership with the IR family and the World Food Programme (WFP), have delivered over 75 million hot meals and food items since October 2023.

Making Food More Accessible in Gaza

At this stage, we are able to access a significant amount of food through our partnership with the World Food Program (WFP). WFP is a UN agency and supposedly has open access. Although this is not always the case, they do have the best chance of getting trucks in. We are therefore very fortunate to be partnering with them. We are also able to source some food within Gaza, although this is very limited and very expensive.  

What the Future Holds

As pointed out by the media and reports, the situation in Gaza is extremely volatile, dangerous, fluid, and unpredictable.

Our team is extremely courageous and committed and is doing everything in its power to continue delivering aid. It is hard to predict what will happen, so while we are very proud that we are delivering significant aid, particularly in distributing medical assistance and hot meals where possible, nobody can guarantee anything going forward.

We are committed to assisting and supporting our team by making sure they have the resources to carry on. Islamic Relief is committed to the rebuilding and reconstruction of Gaza in the long term.  

Yemen’s food security outlook remains extremely bleak, with serious challenges expected to continue through 2026, according to the United Nations. After 11 years of crisis, many families do not know where their next meal is coming from.

Here, Amr Amin, Islamic Relief Yemen’s Head of Food Security & Livelihoods (pictured below), discusses the challenges Yemeni families face.

Q: How severe is Yemen’s food crisis right now?

A: The situation is extremely serious. According to the latest IPC (Integrated Food Security Phase Classification) analysis, over 18 million people – nearly half the population – were severely food insecure during February 2026. There’s a risk that this number will remain unchanged, or worsen, in March as pressures mount. If we look back to January, Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) estimates put Yemen among the world’s most food‑insecure countries in January 2026.

In government-controlled areas, recent central bank interventions have temporarily strengthened the Yemeni riyal. They have also lowered food prices, making food easier to buy. However, these improvements are highly fragile.

In other areas, agricultural production prospects are weak. The likelihood of restoring large-scale humanitarian food assistance or other sectoral support also remains very low.

Yemen remains at risk of famine conditions in 2026. This risk will only intensify if the decline in humanitarian assistance continues or if new shocks – economic, climatic, or conflict-related – occur in the coming months.

Q: How many people depend entirely on humanitarian aid for food?

A: The most recent IPC analysis (covering conditions up to February 2026) indicates an estimated 18.3 million people (52% of the population) are acutely food insecure, facing IPC Phase 3+. This means they are unable to meet their basic food needs without external assistance.

Q: Funding for Yemen has been cut significantly. What has that meant in real terms for families on the ground?

A: Funding cuts in 2025 have pushed families deeper into hunger. In 2025, Yemen’s humanitarian response came under severe strain as the UN’s Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP) received only 28% of the required funding – the lowest level since 2015.

This unprecedented gap has forced all humanitarian clusters to scale back, including Islamic Relief. Alarmingly, contributions to the World Food Programme (WFP) fell by over 70% between 2024 and 2025.

Islamic Relief has been working to enhance nutritional interventions to treat acute malnutrition in Yemen by distributing medicines and working with government health offices

Many households are skipping meals, relying on poor‑quality food, pulling children out of school to work, and selling their last remaining assets just to survive.

In areas not controlled by the government, all WFP operations have remained suspended since September 2025 due to operational access constraints.

Q: Are you having to choose who eats and who doesn’t? How are those decisions made?

A: Islamic Relief provides food assistance to those in need in Yemen throughout the year. We also provide additional support through our seasonal programmes, including Ramadan and zakat-ul-fitr food packages and qurbani meat distributions.

However, with the level of funding received in 2025-2026, the humanitarian community simply cannot reach every person in need.

Support now focuses on areas facing the most severe food insecurity. Families with children under 5, pregnant or breastfeeding women, people with disabilities or chronic illnesses, and those in active conflict zones or flood‑affected areas are considered at the highest risk.

These decisions are not made lightly. Yet, the painful reality remains: every time one family is prioritised for assistance, another equally desperate family is left without help.

Q: Is donor fatigue setting in after years of conflict? Why is funding declining despite clear humanitarian need?

A: Yes, donor fatigue is increasingly evident. Around the world, multiple crises are stretching donor budgets thinner than ever.

Islamic Relief is providing food assistance in Yemen throughout the year, as well as additional support through our seasonal programmes, including Ramadan and zakat-ul-fitr food packages and qurbani meat distributions

Within Yemen, operational challenges, particularly access restrictions, have made it harder for agencies to reach people in need, complicating donor engagement.

Q: If funding levels don’t improve, what will Yemen look like 6 months from now?

A: If current funding levels do not change, the outlook is deeply concerning.

Malnutrition rates are expected to worsen, particularly in the western coastal governorates, where vulnerabilities are already acute.

As resources shrink, more families will be driven toward harmful coping mechanisms – taking on unmanageable debt, moving in search of assistance, and resorting to early marriage or child labour for survival.

Q: What is your message to the international community watching this crisis unfold?

A: My message is both urgent and hopeful.

Yemen’s hunger crisis is severe, but it is not irresolvable.

Millions of people who once depended on humanitarian assistance are no longer receiving it, while food prices continue to rise and livelihoods continue to collapse.

However, with adequate funding, sustained humanitarian access, and support for livelihood recovery, the trajectory of this crisis can still be changed.

The window to prevent famine in Yemen is narrowing, but it has not yet closed. Now is the time to act and help ease suffering in Yemen.

Islamic Relief Worldwide is deeply alarmed by the escalating military conflict across the Middle East and calls urgently on all parties to exercise restraint and pursue a diplomatic resolution.

Civilians always bear the gravest impact of military escalation, and must be protected.

The escalation comes in the middle of Ramadan, a month of compassion. Families across the Middle East deserve to celebrate the holy month without fear.

As the world’s largest independent Muslim humanitarian charity, we are actively monitoring the situation across the region, including in countries where we deliver life-saving aid: Yemen, Lebanon, Iraq, Turkiye, Jordan, Syria, and the Occupied Palestinian Territory. We are gravely concerned that wider regional destabilisation could affect and displace millions of civilians across the Gulf and beyond.

Islamic Relief has long served some of the world’s most vulnerable people in this region, and we are acutely aware of how quickly humanitarian operations can be disrupted when conflict spreads. An escalating war risks severing access to communities who depend on our support for food, shelter, clean water and healthcare.

We call on all parties to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law, protect civilian life, and ensure that humanitarian organisations can continue to operate safely. The suffering of ordinary people, many of whom are already living through years of hardship, must not be compounded by further military action.

Further major military escalation is likely to cause mass civilian displacement and refugee flows across the region. Islamic Relief stands ready to scale up its response as needs become clearer.

Shaban (or Sha’ban, Shaaban), is the eighth month in the Islamic calendar. Coming before the ninth month, Ramadan, it is a bridge to the blessings the holy month brings.

Thus, we explore Shaban as a time to prepare for the important month ahead, and one we must not neglect.

When is Shaban 2026?

Shaban, this year, begins on January 20, 2026, according to the new moon’s sighting. This Islamic month may end on February 18, 2026, depending on the moon’s sighting for the start of Ramadan.

What is the Significance of Shaban?

Shaban, being the month just before Ramadan, is a perfect time to prepare for the blessed month. But it too, holds great importance on its own. Here are key reasons why:

More Fasting Than Any Other Month (Except Ramadan)

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) would fast in Shaban more than any other month except Ramadan. Aisha (RA) said:

He (ﷺ) also loved to fast in this month. So much so, that it was recorded in hadith. In Sunan Abu Dawud, it states, “The most beloved of months for the Messenger of Allah ﷺ to fast in was Sha’ban, and his fasting in Sha’ban was continuous with his fasting in Ramadan.”

More Opportunity for Rewards

Many scholars of the past (Salaf) also believed that fasting in Shaban was better than fasting in other months, even the sacred ones.

Ibn Rajab (RA) said, “Fasting in Sha’ban is better than fasting in the Sacred Months, and the best of voluntary fasts are those that are (observed in the months) closest to Ramadan, before or after.”

A hadith in Silsilat ul-Ahadith-as Sahiha also states, “Allah forgives all the believers in general; except the polytheists and the jealous people on the middle night of Sha’ban.” Some Muslims refer to this night as a Shab-e-Barat, however no Quranic verses specifically mention it.

Good Deeds to Do on Sha’ban

There are a lot of good deeds you can perform in the month of Shaban to make the most of it. Here are some simple acts of worship (ibadah) to add to your daily routine to earn good deeds AND prepare for Ramadan.

1. Do Voluntary Fasts

Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) used to fast most of the days of Shaban. Thus, we should follow his Sunnah (actions and way of living) and keep as many voluntary fasts as we can in Shaban too. If it is hard to fast most of the month, try to fast on the 13th, 14th, and 15th as they are the White Days (Al-Ayyam al-Bid) of the Islamic month.  

However, there are also exceptions to fasting in Shaban. Abu Hurayrah (RA) mentioned that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “Do not anticipate Ramadan by fasting one or two days before it begins, but if a man habitually fasts, then let him fast.” (Sahih Muslim)
He also reported that the Prophet (ﷺ) said not to fast if Sha’ban is half over. (Tirmidhi)

The exception to this would be someone who fasted regularly, such as the Prophet (ﷺ) and many of his companions. Thus, if you are someone who regularly observes the sunnah fast, then you may still observe them in the second half of Sha’ban. It is also permissible to make up a Ramadan fast at this time, if necessary, as Aisha (RA), one of the wives of the Prophet (ﷺ), herself said she would make up fasts in Shaban.

2. Recite the Quran

Ramadan is the month of the revelation of the Quran. Naturally, it is the month when we recite it the most. Thus, to help us get ready and see the best results in Ramadan, we should start the habit of reciting it more, starting from Shaban. 

3. Make Lots of Duas

Apart from obligatory prayers and observing fasting in Shaban, reciting different duas, tasbeeh, and staying engaged in remembrance of Allah (SWT) is also a good way of making the most of this month.

Here are some duas you can say to seek forgiveness and blessings from Allah (SWT).

4. Perform Voluntary Prayers

To make it easier to do more voluntary prayers in Ramadan, start the practice of praying Tahajjud from Shaban. It will help you get used to the Ramadan schedule quicker and also bring you many rewards. 

5. Start Preparing Money for Ramadan

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) was the most generous in giving charity (Zakat and Sadaqah) during Ramadan. To prepare for giving in Ramadan, we should start getting ready in Shaban, including finding Zakat calculations.

Like other forms of Ibadah, charity in Shaban is also an act of worship as you show kindness to others. For every good deed, specifically charity during Shaban, you can gain blessings in abundance.

Shaban: A Pathway to Blessings and Rewards

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said, “(Shaban) is a month to which people do not pay much attention, between Rajab and Ramadan. It is a month in which the deeds are taken up to the Lord of the worlds, and I like that my deeds be taken up when I am fasting.” (An-Nasa’i).

With this in mind, it is important not to neglect this blessed time. To make the most of it by increasing worshipping, observing fasting, reciting Quran and duas, and engaging in charitable activities.

Thus, it will be a month that not only strengthens your bond with Allah (SWT), but also helps you prepare for the sacred month of Ramadan.

The Orphan Sponsorship Program (OSP) in Afghanistan started in 2004 in Kabul, Mazar, Nangarhar, and Bamyan provinces. The program helps destitute orphaned children gain access to elementary and secondary school.

Currently, 5,015 orphans from Afghanistan are enrolled in the program. This support aims to fulfil the educational, nutritional, health, and other basic needs of the orphaned children.

Hijran’s story of hope is one of many from vulnerable families in Afghanistan with children under the Orphan Sponsorship Program. One where sustainable support can provide stability and transform lives, enabling children like Hijran to continue their education, contribute to household income, and nurture hope for the future.

A Young Boy’s Hope

Hijran Sardar Agha, 9 year old, and his family lives in Qabel Bay in Kabul province. There are six members in his family: his widowed mother, his three brothers, his only sister Safa, and himself. His father passed away five years ago after being killed by thieves, and the loss has deeply affected their lives, both emotionally and financially.

No one in his family is able to work. His eldest brother is 14 years old and currently studying in grade six. The only way his mother can provide for them is through the assistance they receive from Islamic Relief. With part of that support, his mother was able to buy a tricycle and rent it out to others, the money from which helps cover some of the family’s daily expenses.

Daily Life as an Orphan Family in Afghanistan

Hijran’s daily routine is quite simple. He goes to school, studies mathematics, and focuses on his lessons. Most of his time is spent studying, completing his homework, and playing with his siblings. His mother takes care of the groceries with the money his sponsorship provides.

Hijran and all his siblings go to school. His dream is to become an engineer one day. It’s a dream he and his mother share, as he wants to support her when he grows up.

One of his family’s biggest fears is that his sister Safa, being a girl, will graduate from the 6th grade and may not be able to continue her education afterwards. They wish for her to keep going to school, just like him and his brothers, so she can have the same opportunities to learn and grow.

Sometimes, on long winter nights, when the family gathers together, his mother shares stories from the past. How life became incredibly difficult after their father passed away. After which, she had the immense responsibility of raising five young children entirely on her own.

During those times, she often struggled to provide for the family, even for their most basic necessities, food, clothing, and shelter, as the family had no stable source of income.

How Islamic Relief Helps Orphan Families Like Hijran’s

Hijran’s orphan sponsorship started 4 years ago. His mother says that Islamic Relief has changed their lives since then and brought her a deep sense of relief and hope. With the support they receive from the program, she is now able to better meet the family’s essential needs.

This includes improving well-being, such as painting the children’s rooms, transforming the dark spaces into bright, welcoming ones with shades of blue and white. His mother also used the cash support to buy three sheep, which have now grown to four, as one of them has had a lamb.

The Orphan Sponsorship Program has not only eased their hardships but has also given their family a renewed sense of hope and stability.

Hijran and his family are sincerely grateful to Islamic Relief and all the generous donors for their continuous support to orphaned families during these difficult times in Afghanistan. Your kindness and assistance have brought hope and comfort to many families like his.

Ibrahim Haidar Ja’man, 60 years old, lives in the Al-Judhoor area of Al-Tarf Al-Shami in Bayt Al-Faqih District, Yemen.

His extended household consists of six immediate family members: three sons and three daughters, who are all married. The sons have six children, and the daughters have ten children. In total, the entire extended family lives together in one compound.

The family’s home is primarily constructed from bamboo reeds, mud, and basic materials. One of Ibrahim’s sons has managed to build a stone room, and Ibrahim himself has also added a
small room. However, the rest of the structure remains made of reeds, wood, mud, and simple
bricks.

Heavy rains pose a significant risk: without covering essential belongings and food with plastic sheets, everything becomes damaged. In the first year of heavy rainfall, all the small huts in the compound were destroyed.

The broader area in Yemen, which includes Al-Judhoor, Al-Jarmouzi, and Al-Baziq, has only one school and one health post. There is no doctor available. In the case of illness, families must travel for an hour by motorcycle to reach Bayt Al-Faqih to find medical assistance.

Due to the lack of healthcare services, community members often resort to buying antibiotics, tablets, and injections from pharmacies and administering them at home without medical supervision, which sometimes results in injury or complications.

Education is also limited. The nearest functioning school is in Al-Jarmouzi, about 3 km away. Children attend irregularly because there is effectively no accessible school in their immediate area.

There is no public electricity. Previously, the family relied on kerosene lamps, gas lamps, and handheld torches. Today, thanks to small solar panels, they have basic lighting, but they still lack appliances such as fans, which are essential during extreme heat.

Residents in the area have long suffered from difficult economic conditions. Families collect firewood and sometimes charcoal to sell at the market. However, income is uncertain. Sometimes buyers are available, and other times people cannot afford to purchase.

Since childhood, Ibrahim recalls his father walking long distances to fill water containers from public wells or distant sources. Water collection was physically exhausting and often dangerous. Containers frequently fell and broke during transport, worsening the hardship.

A displaced man from “Kilo 16” later observed the community’s difficult situation and donated a small solar-powered system with a water tank located 3 km away. Families used to make the trip twice a day to fetch water.
The government had once installed a large water tank for the village, promising piped water, but when the war broke out the system was never completed and the tank remained unused for 20 years.
Recently, Islamic Relief assessed the abandoned tank and agreed to rehabilitate it. They repaired and
restored the structure, installed a solar pumping system, filled the tank, and connected pipelines to all the houses in the three nearby villages.

Today, water is available for every household, thanks to the functioning solar-powered water system. Only the installation of household taps remains to allow water to flow directly inside each home.

The new system has greatly eased the community’s suffering. Access to water, considered the most essential necessity of life, has brought significant relief, especially after years of walking long distances under the harsh sun.

Ibrahim expresses deep gratitude to the donor and Islamic Relief for providing water to every home:

“May God reward you and bless your path. Just as you provided us with water, may God provide you with goodness.”

Despite this major improvement, the community still faces significant needs related to: Food assistance, agricultural support, livestock support, and additional livelihood opportunities.

Islamic Relief has been supporting the people of Yemen since 1998. Please help us to continue this vital work.

Islamic Relief looks back on a year of standing in 2025 with communities suffering through crisis and hardship, with the support of our incredible donors and partners around the world.

Together, we touched an estimated 26.7 million* lives in 2025.

Across 35 countries, our staff and partners helped empower vulnerable communities to lift themselves out of poverty and weather desperate crises.

We delivered 607 projects, including 137 humanitarian aid interventions and 466 development projects.

As we reflect on some of the biggest moments of the year, we are grateful for the continued trust placed in us by the communities we serve and our donors, volunteers and colleagues.

January

The first weeks of the year bring some respite to the desperate crisis in Gaza when, after almost 500 days of relentless bombardment, a ceasefire comes into effect.

Islamic Relief begins expanding our support for vulnerable people in Gaza by working with our partners to provide more emergency relief, and making plans to scale up our response.

Heartbreakingly, the people of Gaza are plunged back into an unrelenting nightmare as Israel ends the ceasefire by resuming bombing and blocking aid.

In Gaza and around the world, Islamic Relief’s Winterisation program is helping families to survive the coldest months. In Bangladesh, we provide blankets, fuel and warm clothing to families in need.

While in Afghanistan, your donations help us bring warmth and hope to the country’s poorest province.

February

With the sighting of the crescent moon, Muslims around the world begin observing the holy month of Ramadan. Our annual Ramadan distribution program reaches more than 844,400 people in 32 countries with food to break their fast and ease their suffering.

March

Yemen marks the grim milestone of a decade of protracted crisis. Over the last 10 years, its people have weathered a brutal war, the worst cholera outbreak in modern history, malnutrition and severe economic decline.

Almost half of the population do not know where their next meal is coming from, and many have lost their livelihoods. Amid chronic desperation, Islamic Relief remains committed to providing lifesaving and life-changing support to Yemenis in need.

April

The crisis in Sudan enters its third year, with no end in sight to the conflict. An Islamic Relief aid worker on the ground writes of his unwavering humanitarian commitment amid a relentless cycle of displacement, hunger and fear.

May

Hunger remains 1 of the world’s most pressing crises, with millions of people around the world unsure where their next meal is coming from. On World Hunger Day, we highlight voices from Sudan, where families are surviving on the brink of starvation.

To alleviate hunger, our annual qurban distribution begins, bringing the joy of Eid and a rare opportunity to eat meat to many families in need around the world.

June

World Environment Day and World Refugee Day bring opportunities to spotlight 2 issues at the heart of Islamic Relief’s campaigns.

We share stories of how boreholes are beating plastic pollution in Somalia. Innovative latrines are restoring comfort and dignity in Bangladesh’s waterlogged villages.

July

Islamic Relief marks 30 years since the Srebrenica Genocide with a major campaign. We share stories of survival and resilience from families still picking up the pieces of their lives.

We also published our 2024 Annual Report, looking back on a year marked by enduring and devastating crises. A year in which we spent more money than ever before to support vulnerable people worldwide.

August

Severe flooding sweeps across large regions of Pakistan, affecting an estimated 6.9 million people. Islamic Relief is on the ground supporting affected families in Punjab within 48 hours. By mid-September, we reached over 100,000 people.

Meanwhile, hundreds of people continue to return to Afghanistan from neighbouring countries each day. They arrive as a part of a mass exodus that has been ongoing since September 2023. From morning until night, Islamic Relief staff work to support the returnees with information, food and water.

September

Islamic Relief launches an emergency appeal as Afghanistan is rocked by powerful earthquakes, which kill thousands and displace thousands more. We provide medical aid and begin distributing tents and meals to people who have lost everything.

October

October brings 2 grim anniversaries as both Gaza and Lebanon mark 2 years of crisis. We launch a campaign to secure sponsorship for the more than 7,000 orphaned children on our waiting list in Gaza as another ceasefire is agreed.

Islamic Relief also launches an appeal to support people affected by the strongest storm to hit Jamaica in modern history. The island was battered by Hurricane Melissa, which left people without homes and parts of the country submerged.

Amid these disasters, Islamic Relief staff also took time to reflect on the past, with an aid worker in Pakistan remembering the deadly Kashmir earthquake 20 years on.

November

Political leaders, civil society organisations and activists from around the world convene in Brazil for COP30. The annual climate summit brings tentative agreements on concrete steps needed to tackle the climate crisis, but many parties remain focused on reacting to short-term challenges, rather than planning for the future.

Islamic Relief launches our annual Winter Appeal to help vulnerable people stay warm during the harshest months. We also publish a new report on how community-led kitchens are saving lives in Sudan.

December

As 2025 draws to a close, Syria marks 1 year since the momentous political change created new opportunities to address the country’s prolonged humanitarian crisis.

Islamic Relief has been working in Syria since 2011, remaining on the ground as the crisis erupted, deepened and stretched on.

In 2025, we continue to work to meet the needs of vulnerable Syrians as the situation on the ground changes. We rebuilt homes, schools and livelihoods to help build a better future.

Devastating flooding sweeps across several Asian countries, affecting more than 1 million people in Indonesia and devastating parts of Thailand and Sri Lanka.

More than 1,000 people are killed and many more left homeless as roads remain impassible and food shortages loom. Islamic Relief begins working with the Indonesian navy to bring supplies to flood-affected areas, and launches a response in Sri Lanka.

We look towards 2026 with renewed vigour and determination to continue to honour your trust in us.

We know that the world’s crises will not end with the calendar year and that the suffering of many of the communities we serve will continue in 2026. The need for our work has never been greater, nor has our gratitude to the donors and partners who make it possible.

Thank you, once more, for your continued support.

*Editor’s note: Figures are estimates based on projects’ whole duration, and include duplication. For example, one family in Gaza may have received a Ramadan food parcel and a winter survival kit, and so will have been counted twice in estimates.

Islamic Relief will publish our official impact data, which is subject to rigorous scrutiny and audit, in our 2025 Annual Report. The annual report will be published summer 2026.

Islamic Relief has launched an urgent appeal to support communities affected by deadly flooding in Morocco.

Flash floods swept through the coastal province of Safi after heavy rains began on Sunday. At least 37 people have been killed, according to local media, while others are missing.

The torrent swept cars, bins, and debris from the street and washed into at least 70 homes in Safi city centre, the BBC reported. The sudden and massive nature of the flooding overwhelmed the city’s drainage systems, authorities, and locals say.

Authorities and residents have begun clearing debris as search and rescue efforts continue.

Islamic Relief’s response

Islamic Relief’s teams have entered Safi town and are working with a local partner organisation to assess needs.

We plan to deliver essential items such as food, shelter, and hygiene kits to address the most pressing needs of people affected by the devastating flooding.

Islamic Relief began supporting communities in Morocco following a deadly earthquake in 2023. 

Please help us offer comfort to families who have lost everything. Donate to our Morocco Floods Appeal today.

With Ramadan fast approaching, many of us are thinking about how to make the most of it. How to truly ready our hearts, homes, and routines for the most blessed month of the year.

In Islamic tradition, this preparation doesn’t begin with the first sighting of the crescent moon. It actually starts much earlier. In fact, the Sahabah, the companions of the Prophet (ﷺ), even prepared for it six months in advance!

In our busy, unpredictable lives, half a year ahead might be hard to plan around. But even with two months to Ramadan, there’s still a lot we can do to prepare well.

The two months before Ramadan, Rajab and Sha’ban, provide us with many opportunities to cleanse our hearts with worship and discipline, and build habits that flourish in the Holiest month.

Imam Abu Bakr al-Warraq al-Balkhi (RA) said:

“Rajab is the month of planting the seeds, Sha’ban is the month of irrigating them, and Ramadan is the month of harvesting the crop.”

The Importance of Rajab: Planting the Seeds of Ramadan

Rajab holds a special position in the Islamic calendar. As one of the four sacred months, it carries extra weight in both worship and conduct. Allah (SWT) says:

A hadith in Sahih al-Bukhari further identifies these months: Dhul-Qa’dah, Dhul-Hijjah, Muharram, and Rajab.

In these sacred months, good deeds are elevated while sinful actions are more serious. Fighting was traditionally prohibited during this time, a reminder of the sanctity and peace associated with these periods.

Key Events in Rajab

Rajab is also remembered for significant historical and spiritual moments:

• Birth of Ali (RA) – Born on the 13th of Rajab, he was both a cousin and close companion of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).
• Al Isra’ wal Mi’raj – The miraculous night journey and ascension of the Prophet (ﷺ), commonly believed to have occurred on the 27th of Rajab.
• Battle of Tabuk (9 AH) – A major campaign where the Prophet (ﷺ) led 30,000 Muslims against the Roman forces, resulting in the Romans retreating and a peaceful resolution.
• Liberation of Jerusalem (1187 CE) – Salahuddin al-Ayyubi reclaimed Jerusalem in Rajab after 88 years under Crusader occupation.

Fasting and Worship in Rajab

Rajab offers a precious chance to build momentum for Ramadan by nurturing one’s character, repentance, and devotion.

While no specific obligatory worship is prescribed for Rajab, many Muslims increase their voluntary acts during this sacred period. Recommended practices include:

• Fasting on Mondays and Thursdays
• Fasting on the White Days (13th, 14th, 15th of each lunar month)
• Increasing du’a, Sadaqah Jariyah, and voluntary prayers

Understanding the Significance of Sha’ban, the Month Before Ramadan

If Rajab is for planting, Sha’ban is the month when those seeds are tenderly cared for. It is a month often overlooked, yet the Prophet (ﷺ) paid it great attention. Aisha (RA) said:

In fact, he loved fasting in Sha’ban so much that his fasting would almost join with Ramadan.

Why Sha’ban Matters

• It contains the Prophet (ﷺ)’s most frequent voluntary fasting after Ramadan
• Scholars considered fasting in Sha’ban more virtuous than in the sacred months
• It is a time when, as mentioned in hadith, deeds are presented to Allah (SWT), and the Prophet (ﷺ) preferred to be fasting when this occurred
• Some Muslims also recognise the middle night of Sha’ban, although no Qur’anic verses specify it.

Good Deeds to Prioritise in Sha’ban

1. Increase Voluntary Fasting

Following the Sunnah, try to fast as much as is manageable, especially on Mondays and Thursdays and the White Days (13th, 14th, 15th).

However, the Prophet (ﷺ) instructed not to fast one or two days before Ramadan begins, unless it is part of one’s regular routine. Those who habitually fast may continue even in the second half of Sha’ban, and it is also permissible to complete missed fasts from the previous Ramadan.

2. Recite More Qur’an

Sha’ban was known as “the month of Qur’an reciters.” Increasing your recitation now helps you enter Ramadan with spiritual focus and stamina.

3. Make Abundant Du’a and Dhikr

Use this time to refresh your relationship with Allah (SWT). Simple daily du’as and tasbeeh can gradually expand your worship habits before Ramadan starts.

4. Perform Voluntary Prayers

Night prayer (Tahajjud) is especially powerful. Beginning this practice in Sha’ban makes it easier to maintain during Ramadan.

5. Prepare Your Charity

Charity given in Sha’ban can be a meaningful source of blessing. As the Prophet (ﷺ) was most generous in Ramadan, Sha’ban is an ideal time to:

• Calculate your Zakat
• Organise your Sadaqah plan
• Set aside funds for Ramadan giving

A Pathway to Ramadan

Sha’ban sits between Rajab and Ramadan — a time when many people become distracted. But the Prophet (ﷺ) reminded us:

“It is a month to which people do not pay much attention, between Rajab and Ramadan…”
(An-Nasa’i)

By honouring this time, you strengthen your spiritual foundation, boost your ibadah, and prepare your heart for the mercy, forgiveness, and salvation that Ramadan brings.

Final Reflection Before Ramadan

Rajab and Sha’ban are precious months to strengthen our spirituality for the most blessed month of the year.

By engaging in worship, fasting, charity, Qur’an recitation, and sincere repentance, we prepare ourselves not only for Ramadan but for deeper connection with Allah (SWT) throughout the year.

May Allah bless our Rajab and Sha’ban, allow us to reach Ramadan, and help us reap its rewards, ameen!

Rajab is the seventh month of the Islamic (Hijri) calendar and is one of the four sacred months.

It precedes the month of Sha’ban and Holy month of Ramadan. It also contains many benefits and virtues, as some of the most precious days of the Islamic calendar occur within this month.

When is Rajab 2026? 

This sacred month is expected to begin on December 21, 2025, depending on the sighting of the moon.

There is also Isra’ and Mi’raj on 27th Rajab. This is expected to occur on January 16, 2026. 

Why is Rajab Important in Islam? 

Rajab is one of the four sacred months of the year. In Surah At-Tawbah, it states:

Likewise, the names of these four sacred months are listed in this hadith.

These months are sacred as there are many virtues attached to them. Fighting is prohibited during these four months. In turn, all transgressions during these months weigh heavier as wrong deeds, while all sincere acts of worship become elevated in their good deeds.

Significant Events Taking Place in Rajab 

The birth of Ali (RA) 

On the 13th Rajab, Ali (RA), the cousin and companion of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), was born.

Al Isra’ wal Miraj 

The Prophet’s (SAW) night journey Al Isra’ wal Miraj is thought to have taken place on the 27th Rajab. 

Battle of Tabuk 

In 9AH, the Battle of Tabuk took place during Rajab. During this battle, the Prophet (ﷺ) took 30,000 men to face the Roman army. As a result, the Romans retreated. Then, afterwards, a peace agreement was made. 

Salahuddin al-Ayyubi liberated Jerusalem 

In Rajab of 583 AH (1187 CE), Salahuddin al-Ayyubi liberated Jerusalem after 88 years of Crusader occupation. 

Fasting in Rajab 

The sacred months are an excellent time to do sunnah (supererogatory) acts of worship, fasting included. Voluntary (nafl) prayers, du’a and Sadaqah Jariyah, are also other virtuous acts that weigh more on the scale as good deeds due to the sacredness of this month.

Whcih days should I fast in Rajab? 

There are many days on which it is Sunnah to fast. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) used to fast on Mondays and Thursdays. It is also recommended to fast on the white days (13th, 14th and 15th of the Islamic lunar month).

Make the most of this sacred month

Rajab is one of the four sacred months of the year. It is also the month when Al Isra’ wal-Mi’raj took place. This makes it a month of many opportunities for blessings.  

This month is a time, when we, as Muslims, should increase worship and devotion to Allah (SWT). By working on improving our character and becoming more motivated to earn good deeds, we can earn immense rewards and better prepare for Ramadan (which is coming soon at the end of February!) in these coming months.

As Imam Abu Bakr al-Warraq al-Balkhi (RA), the uncle of Imam Tirmidhi (RA), said, ‘The month of Rajab is the month of planting (your seeds), Sha‘ban is the month of irrigating/watering (them), and Ramadan is the month of harvesting the crop’.  

Rajab is the time to prepare for Ramadan – spiritually, mentally and physically. Remember to make the most of this sacred time by performing as many good deeds as you can and seeking forgiveness from Allah (SWT). May He accept and reward your efforts, ameen!