Annual Report – 2023-2024

MIJ Welfare Trust stands as a beacon of hope and compassion, established in 2022 with a resolute mission: to extend a helping hand to the most vulnerable and needy people worldwide. Rooted in the principles of emergency response and sustainable aid, our organisation is dedicated to channelling charitable donations efficiently and effectively.

Our commitment goes beyond mere assistance; we strive to empower communities through education, equipping our donors with the knowledge to make a meaningful difference. At the heart of our vision lies the belief that the Masjid should serve as a cornerstone of Muslim society, offering vital services to all. Thus, in alignment with this ethos, the charitable arm of Masjid Muadh ibn Jabal, located in Leicester, UK, was founded, bridging hearts and fulfilling needs across borders.

Since 2022, MIJ Welfare Trust has been a steadfast ally to communities in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Syria, Turkiye, Palestine, Libya, and Morocco. From its inception, our compassionate community has rallied together to support a diverse array of projects, spanning from vital Food Aid and Shelter provisions to life-saving Medical Aid, essential Social Support, Grants, and beyond.

In the spirit of transparency and gratitude, we present this annual report to showcase the tangible impact our projects have made on communities far and wide. It is with deep appreciation that we convey the heartfelt thanks, sincere prayers and expressions of gratitude from the recipients directly to you, our esteemed donors. Your kindness and generosity have been the driving force behind every positive change and upliftment experienced by those in need.

Amidst the aftermath of the devastating Turkey earthquake of February 2023, MIJ Welfare Trust recognised a critical gap in humanitarian aid: sustainable shelter for displaced Syrian refugees who found themselves uprooted once again, having lost their already modest rented homes to the tremors. The sheer scale of destruction prioritised support for the Turkish population from their government, leaving Syrian refugees, who had already endured the ravages of war, facing homelessness in the depths of winter.

Source: CNN

While an abundance of water and food aid poured in from various charitable organisations, the dire need for sustainable shelter remained largely unaddressed. In response to this pressing challenge, our community rallied together, recognising the urgent necessity to provide more than just temporary relief. Through your unwavering support, MIJ Welfare Trust made a profound difference.

In a ground breaking initiative and putting to practice our ethos of empowering communities, we facilitated the local manufacturing of sustainable shelter solutions within Syrian communities. This innovative approach not only addressed the acute need for shelter but also created opportunities for individuals to earn a livelihood. By harnessing the resilience and skills of the very communities we sought to assist, we forged a path towards sustainable recovery and self-sufficiency.

Your generous donations facilitated the delivery of tents to over 100 families residing in the areas of Kirikan, Antakya, and the surrounding mountain villages. Eight months later, upon revisiting these communities, we were heartened to witness the enduring impact of your support. These families continued to find refuge in the sustainable shelters provided, now equipped with essential amenities such as heating, furniture and other modest fixtures.

In a testament to the resilience and communal spirit of these communities, remarkable developments had taken root. One particularly poignant example emerged in the form of a thriving communal infrastructure. A shared grocery store, communal kitchen, and communal wash facilities had been established, serving as vital lifelines for residents navigating the challenges of displacement. Most touching of all was the establishment of a communal masjid, affectionately named Masjid Muadh Ibn Jabal, in a heartfelt gesture of gratitude towards our own masjid and its worshippers.

These remarkable achievements stand as a testament to the transformative power of collective action and solidarity. Through your unwavering support, MIJ Welfare Trust has not only provided shelter but also nurtured a sense of community and belonging amidst adversity. As we celebrate these milestones, we extend our deepest gratitude for your generosity and compassion, which continue to uplift and empower those in need.

Dar Al-Walaa is an Orphanage in a town called Reyhanli, Hatay in Turkey on the border of Syria.  Reyhanli was a fairly small town but became a town of refuge for Syrians fleeing the war.  The town and surrounding areas have millions of displaced Syrian refugees with many Orphans and Widows.

The Orphanage was setup in 2020 through the generous support of a revert from Switzerland. However, since the war in Ukraine, the sponsor struggled to raise funds to maintain the annual cost of the Orphanage.

MIJ Welfare Trust were approached from our contact Dr Ahmad who maintains the Taafi Medical Centre which is also funded through MIJ Welfare Trust.  During our visit for the Earthquake relief project, we visited the Orphanage, met the local management team, the orphans and women.  Having witnessed the excellent work being delivered at the Orphanage and the dependency the recipients had of the Orphanage, we launched the project to our community during the month of March 2023.  As always, our generous community embraced the project and donated to the cause.  We were able to sustain the entire annual costs of the Orphanage through the kind donations.  It is truly amazing how God creates an opportunity for us to participate in such worthy causes!

People who are allowed to reside:

Widowed women and orphans, in addition to divorced women and women who really need shelter are all received at Dar Alwalaa .

Services provided at Dar Al-Walaa:

Shelter and food are provided, all necessities for women and children are provided, in addition to following up the progress of the education process for children at all school levels.

Building:

The building consists of three floors and includes a common kitchen, dining hall, living room, 14 bedrooms, in addition to an administrative office. The room contains beds ranging from 2 to 4, depending on the size of the room, The building can accommodate 30 people, and more families can be received in emergencies.

There is a basement building with a large area that is used as an on premise school, which are equipped with all the necessary equipment in addition to a display screen and computers for the children.

Again, with our ethos of empowering humanity, we also established a commercial kitchen in the basement of the building.  This kitchen allowed the women residing to cook hot meals during the month of Ramadhan for other orphans, widows and refugees whilst also making a modest income for themselves.  This project was also launched by MIJ Welfare Trust as the Iftar food aid project to which generous donors contributed.  We intend to also run this initiative during Ramadhan 2024.

The Orphanage has many tragic cases but overtime, the Orphanage is starting to give some level of rehabilitation and development for all who reside there.

To give a small example of what your donations are achieving:

Rawaa Saleh’s journey is a testament to resilience in the face of adversity. Despite enduring life-altering injuries in the war that prevented her from any semblance of a normal childhood, Rawaa’s spirit remained unbroken. Separated from her family and left to fend for herself, she was eventually discovered and welcomed into the Orphanage in Reyhanli. Undergoing meticulous rehabilitation, Rawaa has not only started engaging with others but has also found a sense of belonging within the orphanage’s family.

A diligent and ambitious soul, Rawaa dreams of studying Sharia sciences. Remarkably, she has already memorised twenty parts of the Holy Qur’an along with their explanations and interpretations, in addition to fifty noble prophetic hadiths. Demonstrating her commitment to both her faith and her community, Rawaa has taken on the role of teaching Islamic studies to younger children at the orphanage. Her humility and dedication shine through in every interaction.

During our encounter with Rawaa, her modesty and grace left a lasting impression. When asked about her greatest desire, she humbly expressed her wish to perform Haj. Rawaa’s aspirations and achievements are truly awe-inspiring, reflecting the resilience and strength of her faith. In her pursuit of knowledge and service to others, Rawaa embodies the essence of patience and determination.

The genesis of the Taafi Medical Clinic, much like that of the Orphanage, traces back to the harrowing consequences of the Syrian war. Dr. Ahmed, a Syrian refugee himself, sought refuge in Reyhanli amidst the turmoil, witnessing first-hand the dire medical needs of his fellow countrymen. Working at a hospital overwhelmed by the sheer volume of war-related injuries, Dr. Ahmed was deeply moved by the plight of patients, particularly those left with severe limb injuries and lifelong disabilities, often relegated to the pavements due to resource limitations.

Driven by compassion and a steadfast resolve to make a difference, Dr. Ahmed embarked on a relentless quest to establish a dedicated medical centre for the severely disabled. Despite facing numerous obstacles, he persevered, securing a building through sheer determination and personal sacrifice. Initially supported by charitable organisations operating in the region, the centre faced financial challenges as the focus shifted to other humanitarian crises over time.

However, through the grassroots efforts of local worshippers, who rallied friends and family to contribute funds, the centre found renewed hope. It was during this period that a volunteer at Masjid Muadh Ibn Jabal, inspired by his field trip experience, proposed the establishment of MIJ Welfare Trust. This platform provided members of the community with a direct avenue to channel their zakat and sadaqah towards causes they could personally connect with.

Over the years, the Taafi Medical Centre has served as a beacon of hope for countless severely injured and disabled patients, many of whom have been abandoned by their families and left without support. Providing not just medical care, but also dignity and support, the centre stands as a testament to the resilience and compassion of humanity. We take pride in our support of this vital institution, recognising its pivotal role in the inception of MIJ Welfare Trust and its subsequent impact in providing relief to communities worldwide.

As part of our ongoing charitable efforts, we are proud to present an infographic showcasing a snapshot of the impactful projects we have delivered in Libya, Syria, Udhiyah orders, and Turkey. From providing vital humanitarian aid in conflict-stricken regions to facilitating Udhiyah orders during Eid al-Adha and offering support to those affected by natural disasters, each project represents a testament to our unwavering commitment to serving communities in need.

Through the collective generosity of our donors and the dedication of our team, we have been able to make a tangible difference in the lives of countless individuals and families, embodying the spirit of compassion and solidarity that defines our charitable work.

In closing, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our generous donors for their unwavering support and dedication to our charitable causes. Your contributions have made a profound impact on the lives of countless individuals and families in need, providing hope, relief, and opportunity where it is needed most. As we approach the forthcoming year, beginning with the blessed month of Ramadan, we humbly appeal to you to continue showing your support through your zakat and sadaqah contributions.

With your continued generosity, we aim to raise funds for our two long-term projects: the Orphanage and the Medical Clinic, along with all other projects highlighted in the infographic below. Together, let us make a lasting difference in the lives of those who depend on our compassion and solidarity. Jazakumullah Kayra for your continued partnership in our mission to serve the Ummah and uplift communities in need.