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This Ramadan, Islamic Relief is continuing its life-saving work around the world, making sure your donations get to those who need them most. Since 1984, Islamic Relief has been a beacon of hope for those facing crisis.
Each day we work together with you, and together with the rightsholders we support, to carve a new path – a path of resilience and safety for millions of people. In their most dire moments, we are there for people in need; we’re often the first to respond and we reach communities that others cannot.
We know the weight of our responsibilities to those we serve, to you, and ultimately to Allah (SWT).
This Ramadan, support our life-saving work and donate your Zakat and Sadaqah for the sake of Allah.
“Say, Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds.”
Qur’an | 6:162
Allah says in the Qur’an:
“…those who believe are they who are steadfast in prayer and give Zakat with humility.” (Quran 5:55)
This Ramadan we want to impress upon everyone the importance of Zakat. Zakat could have the power to end global poverty – this is the power of Zakat.
According to the UN, the amount needed to achieve the first two Sustainable Development Goals – to end extreme poverty and hunger globally – is approximately S$300 billion.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was sent to bring Islam to the entire world. So if we imagine that everyone around the globe gave 2.5% of their wealth to those in need, the annual amount would be trillions of dollars. Imagine what could be done with that!
Yes – Zakat could have the power to end poverty. If everyone around the world gave 2.5% of their wealth as Zakat we could end poverty together, SubhanAllah!
Of course, ending poverty isn’t simple. Conflict, inequality, water shortages, climate change, lack of education, poor public infrastructure and basic human greed all create and shape poverty.
Allah has shown us the way – all we need to do is follow. That is the power of Zakat.
Almost 40 years of delivering relief to people around the world makes us one of the longest-serving Muslim charities in the world, Alhumdulillah.
An independent Zakat Advisory Board, made up of a group of respected scholars, has ratified our Zakat policy, and continues to provide advice to ensure our Zakat policy is Shari’ah-compliant.
Islamic Relief is the only Muslim charity that is part of the DEC. We’ve been a member alongside Oxfam, British Red Cross, Save the Children and others since 2005.
We don’t say that we have a ‘100% donation policy’. The truth is, it costs every single charity money to deliver relief – and we think you’d prefer us to be real about it.
We are one of only five UK based charities with HQAI (The Humanitarian Quality Assurance Initiative) accreditation. The HQAI are an independent and objective assurance body, which examines how we use your donations in detail every year, and makes sure they are being used as effectively as possible.
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 Quran and charity are also encouraged during the holy month.
The exact dates of Ramadan change every year because the Islamic calendar is based on the cycles of the Moon. Because the Islamic calendar is based around the lunar cycle, the Holy month of Ramadan rotates by approximately ten days each year.
This year, Ramadan is expected to begin on the evening of Wednesday 18 February 2026, and end on Friday 20 March 2026, depending on the sighting of the moon.
You can find up-to-date information on the Ramadan Timetable here.
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 th evening of February 18 February 2026.
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 Friday 20th March 2026 depending on the sighting of the moon.
The last day of fasting this Ramadan 2026 will be Friday 20th March, 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.
In 2026, Eid al-Fitr is likely to take place on Saturday 21st March 2026, 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 29th March), but Eid prayers and celebrations take place the following day.
If you’ve missed any fasts out of necessity and cannot 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.
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
Ramadan lasts either 29 or 30 days, and the time during which it takes place varies every year. This is because the date depends on the lunar calendar, which is roughly 10 or 11 days shorter than the commonly used Gregorian calendar
The meaning of Kareem is generous/noble. Ramadan is a month where Allah forgives, blesses and rewards Muslims without a limit.
Therefore, it is an expression that is used to welcome the month of Ramadan by Muslims around the world.
Every day during Ramadan, Muslims begin the fast at dawn after having a meal (Suhoor), after which the morning Fajr prayer is prayed. The fast isn’t broken until dusk with the Iftar meal, which precedes the Maghrib, the fourth prayer of the day.