Ramadan 2024

Over 892,000 people in 31 countries benefitted from Ramadan food parcels in 2023. This year share your Ramadan with people in need. Donate today

can provide two families with food for a month
can help construct a permanent home for displaced families in Syria
can supply and install 300 litre water tanks for drinking water for seven families in Gaza
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Ramadan: Your donations are our amanah ​

Over the last 40 years, together with your support, we have saved and transformed the lives of over 120 million people, Alhamdulillah!

For 4 decades, we have been trusted by our loyal donors to transform your zakat, your sadaqah, and all of your time and giving into the most effective tools to fight poverty.

We have remained authentic to our cause in serving Allah (SWT) and are proud to represent the Muslim community and beyond in facilitating their sacred duties to one another. 

After 40 years, we know how transformative even just one donation can be, but only Allah (SWT) knows the true scale of this benefit and of the reward that awaits all those who have supported or carried out our crucial work.

Together with you, everything we do is for the sake of Allah. It is Allah (SWT) who has made the Islamic Relief legacy possible, you have all been chosen to help us save or change someone’s life for the better. 

Support our life-saving work and donate your zakat and sadaqah for the sake of Allah.

Trusted to deliver since 1984

Islamic Relief’s faith-based identity is at the heart of everything we do. Since 1984, our Islamic faith and the teachings of the Qur’an have guided our approach to providing ground-breaking relief and development work.

We have been supporting rightsholders in over 40 countries worldwide, just like we have been with every major disaster since 1984, delivering food, water and emergency relief in the most effective way possible, to those in desperate need. 

 

We hope you will continue supporting our life-saving work with your donations, to support more people like Ihsan, who during the blessed month of Ramadan, experienced a miraculous recovery in her daughter’s health, Alhamdulillah.

I managed to get through the most difficult times of my life because of Allah (SWT) and generous Islamic Relief supporters like you. Today, Roa is walking and eating again. Her speech is improving every day too. Through Allah (SWT) and with your support she’s defied the doctors’ expectations! Alhamdulillah. May Allah gather us in Jannah, so, that we may eat the fruits of Jannah together.

Ihsan, Roa’s mother

What is Ramadan?

Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic lunar calendar.

Healthy adult Muslims fast during the month of Ramadan from dawn until dusk. Therefore this includes abstaining from drinking, eating, immoral acts and anger. Other acts of worship such as prayer, reading the Qur’an and charity are also encouraged during the holy month

When is Ramadan 2024?

This year, Ramadan is expected to begin on Monday 11 March 2024, and end on the evening of Tuesday 9 April 2024, depending on the sighting of the moon.

When does Ramadan start in 2024?

Ramadan officially begins when the Islamic month of Shaban ends, and the new moon of Ramadan is sighted. This year, Ramadan is expected to begin on Monday 11 March 2024.

When does Ramadan end in 2024?

Eid al-Fitr, the Muslim celebration, officially marks the end of Ramadan. The exact timing is based on the sighting of the moon. Eid al-Fitr officially begins at the start of the Islamic month of Shawwal. This year, Ramadan is expected to end on the evening of Tuesday 9 April 2024, depending on the sighting of the moon.

 

When to stop fasting Ramadan 2024?

The last day of fasting this Ramadan 2024 will be Tuesday 9 April, depending on the sighting of the moon. Unlike the Gregorian calendar we use today, the Islamic calendar operates on the lunar cycle. This means that all significant days in the Islamic calendar appear to shift forward approximately 11 days each year. Therefore, the sighting of the moon determines the end of the month–long period of Ramadan and the beginning of Eid.

What happens if you miss a fast during Ramadan?

If you’ve missed any fasts out of necessity and will never be able to fast to make up the lost days afterwards, you’re required to pay fidya (fidyah). For any other missed fasts you will need to make them up. For any fasts broken deliberately without need in the Hanafi madhab you would need to make up the fast and also pay kaffarah. In the Hanbali and Shafi madhabs you would need to make up the fast and only pay kaffarah if it was broken by marital relations.

When is Eid ul Fitr 2024?

In 2024, Eid ul-Fitr is likely to take place on 10 April 2024, depending on the sighting of the moon.

However, as with each day in the Islamic calendar, the next day begins after Maghrib prayer (just after sunset) of the same day. Therefore, Eid technically begins after the moon has been sighted (which is likely to be on 9 April), but Eid prayers and celebrations take place the following day.

Ramadan sadaqah

The Prophet (PBUH) would give charity throughout the year but increase his sadaqah during Ramadan. Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “The Prophet (PBUH) was the most generous of people, and he was most generous during Ramadan.” (Bukhari)

  • Scholar Verified

We ensure our content is reviewed and verified by qualified scholars to provide you with the most accurate information. This webpage was last reviewed by Sheikh Saalim Al-Azhari.

Page last reviewed: 21 February 2023

Next review due: Within 12 months

Ramadan 2024

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News and features

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Ramadan: Supporting the most vulnerable in Bosnia and Herzegovina

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Opinion

Ramadan Mubarak from Islamic Relief

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Press Releases

Palestinians face hardest ever Ramadan as violence, starvation and restrictions increase 

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Annual Report: Islamic Relief reached more people than ever before in 2022

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Opinion

A visit to Kosova: Entering the beehive

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new director

Director of Network and Resource Development

Adnan joined Islamic Relief in 2004 as a regional fundraiser in the UK. He worked in multiple roles over 10 years at Islamic Relief UK, including setting up the first digital team and leading the growth of digital fundraising and engagement. Adnan also led numerous fundraising and marketing campaigns, which played a significant part in the growth of Islamic Relief UK.

Having moved to Islamic Relief Worldwide in 2014, Adnan has held different roles that have helped grow Islamic Relief’s global digital footprint into new geographic territories, supporting Islamic Relief members with their digital and marketing growth as well as developing new products and initiatives for the Islamic Relief family.

Adnan graduated in Industrial Design and Technology from Loughborough University. He has since completed an Advanced Diploma in Business Administration from Durham University and a Diploma in Digital Marketing from the Institute of Data and Marketing.

Nadeem Azhar

General Counsel

Nadeem joined Islamic Relief Worldwide in September 2022. He has worked in the charitable sector for over a decade.

He studied Modern History and Politics at Manchester University, and at the University of Law in London before qualifying as a solicitor in 2011.

Nadeem is an experienced corporate, commercial and governance lawyer, having worked with various faith-based and grant making charities as well those in health and education settings. He was a partner at a law firm in London before moving in-house where he focused on setting up and restructuring charities and social enterprises.

Most recently, Nadeem was Lead Counsel at Mind, a leading mental health charity, where he co-authored a new federation agreement, revamped legal processes, and played a major role in developing its strategic and fundraising partnerships.

Nadeem has been a charity trustee for the Seafarers Charity, as well as many grant-making bodies and theatre companies.

Adnan Hafiz

Director of Network and Resource Development

Adnan joined Islamic Relief in 2004 as a regional fundraiser in the UK. He worked in multiple roles over 10 years at Islamic Relief UK, including setting up the first digital team and leading the growth of digital fundraising and engagement. Adnan also led numerous fundraising and marketing campaigns, which played a significant part in the growth of Islamic Relief UK.

Having moved to Islamic Relief Worldwide in 2014, Adnan has held different roles that have helped grow Islamic Relief’s global digital footprint into new geographic territories, supporting Islamic Relief members with their digital and marketing growth as well as developing new products and initiatives for the Islamic Relief family.

Adnan graduated in Industrial Design and Technology from Loughborough University. He has since completed an Advanced Diploma in Business Administration from Durham University and a Diploma in Digital Marketing from the Institute of Data and Marketing.

Board of Directors
Javed Akhtar

Director of Finance

Javed Akhtar has more than a decade of experience at Islamic Relief, having worked in a similar role between 2003-2014. In that role he strove to implement wide-ranging financial and accounting processes which aided in the transparent nature in which Islamic Relief now operates.

Javed also has diverse experience across the private sector, having worked at American chemicals and pharmaceutical giant DuPont, shipping firm FedEX and technology consultancy company Accenture. In all his roles, he prioritises using the latest technologies to improve monitoring and reporting at every level. Javed’s commitment to embracing digital end-to-end technology, enhancing accountability to our stakeholders and promoting financial transparency is ensuring that we remain at the forefront of financial developments in the sector.

By training, Javed is a chartered accountant with a Master’s degree in NGO Management with Charity Accounting and Financial Management from Cass Business School.
Board of Directors
Affan Cheema  

Director of International Programmes

Affan Cheema is an experienced leader who has spent 25 years working in the international aid sector on poverty eradication in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. He has worked in fast onset emergencies, protracted crisis and development environments whilst working for Islamic Relief Worldwide and Care International. He is also a trustee of South West International Development Network (SWIDN).

Through his career Affan has held numerous roles including institutional fundraising, programme and grant management, and programme quality assurance.  Affan’s leadership has helped Islamic Relief Worldwide secure the highly coveted Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS), seen as the sector’s premier benchmark for operational excellence.

Affan completed his BA in Economics and Geography from University of London (School of Oriental and African Studies) and his MSc in Development Administration and Planning from the University of Bristol. He is PRINCE2 qualified, is a keen sportsman and recently co-edited a book entitled -Islam and International Development: Insights for working with Muslim Communities-.
Board of Directors
Dr Hossam Said

Managing Director, Humanitarian Academy for Development (HAD)

For nearly three decades Dr Hossam has provided the strategic vision to manage, lead and develop a range of international humanitarian interventions around the world.

At the start of his career, Dr Hossam served on the Board of Directors of the Egyptian Medical Syndicate, before moving to Islamic Relief Worldwide to manage the core global business activities as International Programmes Director.

During this time the organisation increased its global reach, gaining both domestic and international repute and credibility. Dr Hossam has also served on the Islamic Relief Worldwide Board of Management and Executive Committee for the past 15 years; sharing responsibility for strategic organisational development and the change management process, whilst forging strong relationships with many other charities.

Dr Hossam gained an MBA from Aston Business School in 2004 and graduated as a Medical Doctor from Cairo University in 1981.
Board of Directors
Martin Cottingham  

Director of External Relations and Advocacy

Martin Cottingham joined Islamic Relief in 2012 as IRUK Media Relations Manager, and was appointed Head of Communications in 2015 before taking up his current position as Director of External Relations and Advocacy for Islamic Relief Worldwide.

Martin has helped Islamic Relief to increase its mainstream media profile and expand its campaigning work, producing hard-hitting advocacy reports on floods in Pakistan (2011) famine in Somalia (2012) disaster risk reduction (2013) and aid to Afghanistan (2014). He has over 20 years’ experience working in media, communications and marketing roles for international development and environmental charities.

Martin graduated from the University of London with a degree in English and Drama (1982-85) then trained as a journalist with a postgraduate diploma at City University (1986-87). He has previously worked for Christian Aid as Editor of Christian Aid News and Media Relations Manager (1988-97) for Oxfam as Regional Campaigns Manager (1997-2000) and at the Soil Association as Marketing Director (2001-2006), as well as working for a wide range of organisations as a freelance writer, researcher and communications consultant.

Tufail Hussain

Director of Islamic Relief UK

Tufail Hussain has 17 years’ experience in the humanitarian and development sector, leading on marketing and fundraising campaigns for several organisations before joining Islamic Relief UK in 2016 as Deputy Director. Tufail was appointed Director of Islamic Relief UK in 2019 and in 2021 provided valuable leadership as interim CEO of Islamic Relief Worldwide.

Tufail is driven by a passion for empowering disadvantaged youth and mentors a number of young people. He also works to strengthen engagement between British Muslims and wider society. Under his leadership, Islamic Relief UK has significantly increased its income and developed successful partnerships with communities across the country. He has travelled around the world to raise awareness of major emergencies such as the Syria, Yemen and Afghanistan crises and the floods in Pakistan and Sudan.

A father to 5 daughters and a son, Tufail is also a sports enthusiast and passionate Liverpool FC supporter. Tufail has run the London Marathon twice, raising over £35,000 for humanitarian causes.

Before joining Islamic Relief he was CEO of Orphans in Need, where he oversaw a new strategy that increased income from £2 million to £9 million in 3 years and opened up new UK and international offices. Tufail is also a trustee of the Muslim Charities Forum and a Director of TIC International (Islamic Relief Worldwide’s clothes recycling and trading arm).
Waseem Ahmad

Chief Executive Officer

Waseem Ahmad joined the Islamic Relief family over 24 years ago, serving as Programme Officer in the Balochistan province of south-western Pakistan before becoming Head of Programmes in Pakistan. Waseem then moved to Oxfam and Tearfund before returning to Islamic Relief to establish our mission in Malawi. Later serving as Head of Programme Funding and Partnerships, Waseem led the response to major crises across the globe, including the East Africa drought, Pakistan earthquake and the Indian Ocean Tsunami.

Waseem then served for nearly 6 years as our Director of International Programmes, during which time the charity secured and retained the coveted Core Humanitarian Standard certification in recognition of the quality of our programming. He was appointed CEO of Islamic Relief in May 2021.

With a special interest in community mobilisation and infrastructure, Waseem received an MSc in Project Planning and Management from the University of Bradford, as well as an MSc in Economics from Arid Agriculture University in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.

Waseem has also worked for Lepra Health in Action and is a member of the International Civil Society Centre’s Board of Trustees. The father-of-3 enjoys walking and playing football, and is a keen birdwatcher.