Islamic Philanthropy Fundamentals

This 2-hour masterclass will reveal how designing fundraising programmes that align with the values and principles of Islamic giving can unlock powerful new opportunities for donor growth, engagement, and long-term impact. Learn how UNHCR’s Islamic Philanthropy programme is successfully engaging Muslim communities across the globe — and how you can apply these insights in your own work.

Whether you're starting from scratch or looking to grow your Islamic Philanthropy programme, this session will equip you with the tools, strategies, and inspiration to turn faith-based giving into a core pillar of your fundraising success.

Why this masterclass?

Right now, you might be:

• Aware of the vast potential of Islamic philanthropy but unsure how to begin engaging with it
• Missing out on major seasonal and cultural giving moments like Ramadan and Dhul Hijjah
• Looking to diversify your donor base and connect with values-driven audiences
• Unsure how to communicate your cause in ways that align with Islamic giving principles
• Wanting real-world guidance from people doing this work successfully at scale

This session is designed to give you clarity, confidence, and practical next steps.

Masterclass outline

Understanding the Islamic Economy & Giving Tools

Explore the foundations of Islamic philanthropy within the broader Islamic economic system. Learn the key concepts and vehicles of giving including:

• Zakat (obligatory giving), Sadaqah (voluntary charity), and Waqf (endowment)
• The size, scope, and potential of the global Islamic giving landscape
• Faith-driven motivations behind giving – and what this means for fundraisers

How to Launch Your Islamic Philanthropy Programme

Step-by-step guidance for getting started:

• Laying the groundwork: internal buy-in, team readiness, and cultural literacy
• Engaging religious scholars and advisors for programme credibility
• Building trust and authenticity with Muslim donors

Campaign Planning & Communication Strategies

Discover how to plan and deliver effective campaigns that resonate:

• Aligning messaging with Islamic values, beliefs, and giving moments
• High-impact campaigns during Ramadan, Dhul Hijjah and Fridays (Jumu’ah)
• Creative content, storytelling and faith-aligned branding examples

Donor Stewardship & Retention That Builds Loyalty

Learn how to turn first-time donors into long-term supporters:

• Respectful, values-aligned stewardship practices
• How UNHCR’s approach to transparency and impact reporting builds donor trust
• Tips for culturally sensitive supporter journeys

Learning outcomes

By the end of this masterclass, you will have:

• A strong foundation in the principles and practice of Islamic philanthropy
• Clarity on where and how your organisation can align with faith-based giving
• Inspiration from successful global campaigns and examples
• The confidence to launch or scale your Islamic giving programme
• Practical tools to engage, retain, and build trust with Muslim donors.

About the speakers

This session is delivered by Raefah Makki and Shadi Ghrawi, Senior Private Sector Partnerships Officers at UNHCR.

Raefah is based in the UAE and plays a leading role in the growth of UNHCR’s Islamic philanthropy portfolio across the Middle East and North Africa. Shadi, based in Kenya and previously in the UAE, has played an instrumental role in setting the foundations for UNHCR’s Islamic Philanthropy program. Currently, he manages UNHCR’s private sector partnerships teams across Africa, including faith-based engagement. Together, they bring years of experience building strategic, culturally grounded partnerships that deliver measurable impact.

Questions?

If you have any questions about this masterclass, send an email to james@resource-alliance.org.