Eid al-Fitr 2024: Where to donate Zakat for Palestine

Six months have passed since the outbreak of Israel’s war on Gaza, inflicting immense suffering and loss on the Palestinian people.

The relentless Israeli bombardment has killed at least 33,137 Palestinians, more than 13,000 of them being children. 

Before this crisis, Gaza had sufficient food supplies to sustain its population, with malnutrition being a rare occurrence.

However, the ongoing violence has precipitated a severe shortage of essential resources, plunging many into the depths of starvation and dire living conditions.

"Alongside the declaration of faith, prayer, fasting during Ramadan, and the Hajj pilgrimage, Zakat represents a fundamental tenet of Islamic faith and practice"

Palestinians who were forcibly displaced from their homes in Gaza have found themselves enduring the holy month of Ramadan in makeshift tents, grappling with limited means and facing unimaginable hardships.

Despite these adversities, the resilient spirit of the Palestinian people remains unbroken, with many finding solace and strength in their faith, spending their days reading the Quran or adorning their tents in preparation for Eid.

In light of this protracted humanitarian crisis, numerous organisations have stepped forward to offer Zakat as a vital means of support for the beleaguered Palestinian populace.

But what exactly is Zakat?

Alongside the declaration of faith, prayer, fasting during Ramadan, and the Hajj pilgrimage, Zakat represents a fundamental tenet of Islamic faith and practice. It is important to distinguish Zakat from Sadaqah, which involves voluntary charitable giving out of kindness or generosity.

The calculation of Zakat is based on income and the value of possessions, typically amounting to 2.5% of a Muslim's total savings and wealth.

Recipients of Zakat encompass various categories of individuals in need, including the poor and needy, struggling Muslim converts, enslaved individuals, those burdened by debt, soldiers defending the Muslim community, and travellers in dire straits.

Below are some reputable organisations through which individuals can contribute Zakat, providing essential support to the Palestinian people during this critical time of need.

UNRWA Zakat Programme

This initiative ensures that 100% of Zakat donations reach eligible Palestine refugees in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

Cash assistance and food baskets are distributed to those grappling with the dire consequences of displacement and conflict.

Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP)

Responding to the urgent medical needs in the occupied Palestinian Territory, MAP provides essential medicines, medical supplies, and equipment to healthcare facilities overwhelmed by the crisis.

Zakat donations play a crucial role in sustaining vital healthcare services for the Palestinian population.

Muslim Hands UK

Committed to alleviating the suffering of Palestinians, Muslim Hands UK offers a comprehensive range of assistance, including emergency relief, healthcare services, and sustainable development programs aimed at fostering long-term resilience and self-sufficiency within Gaza.

"Every donation, regardless of its size, holds the potential to make a tangible difference in the lives of those in need, offering hope and solidarity in the face of adversity"

Anera

With a longstanding presence in Gaza, Anera operates community kitchens and distributes food parcels to ensure that families have access to nutritious meals, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan.

The Zakat contributions facilitate the provision of essential food aid to displaced and vulnerable populations.

Muslim Aid

Since the outbreak of the crisis, Muslim Aid has been at the forefront of providing essential aid to Gaza, including cash grants, food provisions, and shelter assistance for displaced families struggling to survive amidst the devastation wrought by conflict and displacement.

Al Mustafa Welfare Trust

The Al Mustafa Welfare Trust ensures that every penny of Zakat donation directly benefits those in need, in accordance with Islamic principles of charity and compassion.

Contributions enable the organisation to provide vital assistance to the most vulnerable segments of the Palestinian population.

Oxfam

Oxfam's emergency response in Gaza encompasses the provision of emergency food, clean water, hygiene kits, and the repair of essential infrastructure to alleviate the suffering of those affected by conflict and displacement.

The Zakat donations contribute to sustaining life-saving humanitarian interventions within Gaza.

Human Appeal

With a focus on delivering life-saving interventions, Human Appeal provides essential aid to Gaza, including the distribution of hot meals, food parcels, hygiene kits, and medical care to those grappling with the devastating consequences of conflict and displacement.

Islamic Relief UK

Islamic Relief UK plays a pivotal role in providing humanitarian aid and development projects to support Palestinians in Gaza.

Through Zakat contributions, the organisation endeavours to alleviate suffering, restore dignity, and empower communities to rebuild their lives amidst adversity.

Muslim Global Relief

Committed to uplifting communities out of poverty, Muslim Global Relief initiates development projects in remote villages worldwide, including those affected by the crisis in Gaza.

The Zakat donations facilitate sustainable development initiatives aimed at fostering resilience and self-reliance within the Palestinian population.

Through these organisations, individuals can contribute Zakat to alleviate the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza and support their resilience amidst the relentless challenges wrought by conflict, displacement, and deprivation.

Every donation, regardless of its size, holds the potential to make a tangible difference in the lives of those in need, offering hope and solidarity in the face of adversity.

Zainab Mehdi is The New Arab's Associate Editor and researcher specialising in governance, development, and conflict in the Middle East and North Africa region

Follow her on Twitter: @zaiamehdi