Annual Report

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Annual Report

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HUMAN RELIEF FOUNDATION H R F Est - 1991

reaching people in need

MuslimCharities Forum 02

Our vision is to see Muslim INGOs become recognised

as sector leaders; to cooperate with each other

and external stakeholders whilst continuing

to improve people’s lives across the world.

Our mission is to establish a healthy, accountable, effective

and professional Muslim Charitable sector in the UK

through good governance, conducting research,

forming partnerships, enhancing cooperation,

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03 Annual Report2011 - 2012

Overview 04

Chairman’s Foreword 05

Operational Summary 06

Activities 07

Comments from Supporters 10

Plans for the future 11

Auditor’s summary 12

Financial Statement 14

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04 Muslim Charities Forum

The Muslim Charities Forum (MCF) was set up in 2007 to ensure the Muslim NGO sector in the UK

works professionally and transparently.

Members of MCF include Human Appeal International, Human Relief Foundation, Islamic Help, Islamic Relief, Muslim Hands, Muslim Charity, Al-Imdaad

Foundation UK and Basic Human Rights.

We work together to engage proactively with our members and other charities, governmental and non-governmental bodies and communities to promote projects and initiatives that are of benefit to all and foster a better

understanding of our commonly shared values.

Our work across five broad areas includes: • dialogue and cooperation between organisations,

sectors and communities;

• building capacity within the Muslim NGO sector;

• engaging with government bodies, international agencies and key actors in the humanitarian field to create a better understanding of the Muslim charity sector;

• building bridges between civil society and public organisations as well as acting as a lobbying body for the Muslim charity sector; • and promoting humanitarian principles and standards.

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Annual Report 2011 - 2012 05

Chairman’s Foreword

Over the past 12 months, we have made important strides in fulfilling our duty to represent the interests, build the capacity, and professionalise the Muslim NGO sector. But there is still much to achieve to ensure that the sector continues to move forward. In order to maintain our upward trajectory, it is

fundamental that we continue to learn the best industry practices from each other and work collaboratively to support each and every pillar within the sector. The need for a forum where charities can come together to discuss, debate, share ideas and work together on issues concerning the wider charitable and international development climate has been highlighted to me by MCF members and those who are not. I am pleased to see a perception change and hope that more and more charities can see the need for the sector to become more inclusive and cohesive.

Despite MCF making progress, there are still challenges that have to be addressed such as gaining a greater understanding of the issues that affect us as a sector, barriers to engaging with institutional bodies and learning how as charities, we can make a positive impact together.

We have had the pleasure of welcoming new members to MCF, who I hope will benefit from their membership. We have to remember that as charities, there is much more that brings us together than divides us. As a sector, we share the same goals and ideals – the only difference being the level of experience and skills we have as an organisation. I hope that this report of our activities show you what can happen when we join hands together – we are united rather than isolated and in that unity we deter those that may prey on us. I look forward to your continued support for MCF whether through partnership or friendship, so that we can build a better future for the sector and the world.

Dr. Hany El-Banna

Chairman

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Muslim Charities Forum 06

Operational Summary

The past year has presented many challenges and opportunities for positive change for the Muslim Charities Forum, which has focused on a wide variety of initiatives such as working more closely with different communities in the UK alongside highlighting humanitarian disasters around the world. Our work with Diaspora communities, specifically the Somali, Libyan and Yemeni communities has borne fruit with the formation of two new organisations, the Somali Relief and Development Forum and Yemen Relief and Development Forum. Both organisations are a testament to the hard work of the communities involved and their eagerness to support their homelands in an efficient and effective manner. During our trips to Somalia and Kenya, we saw the extent to which drought and famine had ravaged East Africa and the amazing effect of a rain prayer which led to rain in Mogadishu just hours afterwards.

Numerous events organised around these humanitarian issues, including seminars and lectures, attracted widespread interest from governments and humanitarian workers, as well as academics and students. Our events for CEOs of Muslim NGOs have been an important step in giving a voice to the leaders of the sector and building a platform where all can debate and discuss issues freely. The changing environment, as a result of the advent

of the Arab Spring and the emergence of new actors coming from Diasporas and non traditional Western economies, highlights the importance of the role of an organisation such as the Muslim Charities Forum in building bridges between communities. I would like to thank our trustees for their

ongoing, unwavering support for MCF as well as our stakeholders and supporters that have seen this organisation flourish over the past year.

Abdurahman Sharif

Operations Manager

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07

Annual Report 2011 - 2012

Advocacy & Lobbying

MCF has continued to advocate on behalf of the Muslim Charity sector to the British Government and European Union on a variety of issues including drought and famine in East Africa, monsoons in Pakistan, Gaza, as well as wider issues related to the work of DFID and other aid agencies.

In October 2011, MCF was invited to join the Somalia Advocacy Group to coordinate and implement joint behind the scenes advocacy work on Somalia in close coordination with sister agencies in Somalia/ Nairobi and the Somalia NGO Consortium.

We have also sent letters and comments to decision makers regarding wider issues which directly and indirectly affect the Muslim NGO sector such as counter terrorism policy, the Big Society, and humanitarian access in different areas of conflict. Alongside this, MCF has been working with Muslim NGOs to improve the way they work with the ethnic media to make it a fair and equitable relationship.

Dialogue and Cooperation

Finance Group

The Finance Group met once during the past financial year and focussed on developing a survey to increase understanding about how Muslim NGOs interact with financial institutions. The survey was disseminated amongst several charities to develop a wider picture of the role that financial institutions play in the work of charities.

Zakat -ul-Fitr

Once again this year, MCF members agreed to a set unified price for Zakat-ul-Fitr, a charitable donation made to the poor at the end of Ramadan.

CEO Events

As part of MCFs work to create stronger bonds within the Muslim charity sector, we held the first of a series of networking lunches between the heads of different Muslim-led NGOs. These events are an informal way for executive officers to get to know each other and build an atmosphere where these charities may be able to collaborate on different projects.

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Capacity Building

The core of MCFs work has centred on capacity building of Diaspora community organisations, supporting them to organise and effectively help people in their country of origin develop and offer aid in times of disaster.

Libya

During the heart of the Arab Spring, MCF brought together the Libyan Diaspora community in the UK to discuss potential initiatives that the community could do together to alleviate the suffering of people affected by the civil conflict in the country. A series of meetings were held to bring the groups together and help them liaise with NGOs that were working in Libya.

Somali Relief and Development Forum (SRDF)

In the run up to the famine being officially declared in East Africa, MCF began working with Somali community organisations from all around the UK, helping to build their capacity and work together under one umbrella to better coordinate their resources and run relief and development projects in Somalia. MCF is currently implementing a project

for the organisation to build capacity and infrastructure and grow independently. You can find out more about the Somali Relief and Development Forum at www.srdf.org.uk

Yemen Relief and Development Forum (YRDF)

Continuing a strand of work with Diaspora communities, a plan was set in motion to bring together Yemeni community organisations in the UK to address the growing humanitarian needs in Yemen. A need for a collective response was required as individuals were fundraising for Yemen without the resources to convert the funds to aid and deliver them on the ground. Both SRDF and YRDF have made a huge impact in such a short amount of time. The Muslim Charities Forum will look to continue to work with different Diaspora communities and support them wherever possible.

Somali Humanitarian Operational Consortium (SHOC)

Alongside capacity building in the UK, MCF - in partnership with The Humanitarian Forum and the Somali Relief and Development Forum - helped create the Somali Humanitarian Operational Consortium (SHOC).

SHOC was founded to build the capacity of civil society organisations within Somalia. Over 30 civil society and humanitarian organisations work together to improve humanitarian/development action by improving capacity of local organizations and creating a stronger Somali voice.

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Understanding

MCF worked on several research projects which have promoted and increased understanding of issues in the charity sector. Two projects in particular focused on accessibility of EU funding for Muslim charities, and the level of collaboration between Muslim NGOs and the public opinion on Muslim NGOs working together.

European Muslim Civil Society

Following on from a workshop MCF organised in December 2010 on accessing EU Funding, MCF carried out research on promoting a European Muslim Civil Society. We conducted interviews with representatives from Muslim-led NGOs in the UK, Members of the European Parliament and with Euclid. We hope to continue promoting Muslim- led

charities on a European level and increase the level of participation and access to funding from EU institutions in partnership with Euclid Network, a growing community of civil society professionals who want to connect across borders for a stronger, more innovative and more sustainable European civil society.

Collaboration amongst the Muslim Charity sector

We also conducted research through an online survey asking the public for their views on the Muslim charity sector around the UK. In addition to this, interviews were conducted with heads of Muslim NGOs from around the UK to gather their thoughts on collaboration with other Muslim NGOs.

Bridge Building

Faith Partnership Principles

MCF was part of the working group for the Department of International Development’s Faith Partnership Principles Working Group through the participation of Atallah Fitzgibbon from Islamic Relief Worldwide. The purpose of the paper was to strengthen and guide the department’s relationship and collaboration with faith groups in relation to international development. The final version of the document can be found on the DFID Website.

Media

MCF has worked with the media and related organisations in different ways over the past year. We have been building relationships with OFCOM relating to the issue of charity appeals on television, and we received coverage in articles on Reuters Alert Net, The Independent and ethnic newspapers on subjects such as famine and drought in Somalia and emerging donor bases in the Muslim world.

Memberships

We were delighted to invite Islamic Help as MCF members in December 2011. MCF also renewed its memberships with Bond and NCVO, and also joined People in Aid which promotes good practice in the management and support of aid personnel.

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Comments

from

supporters

With the support, advice and guidance of the Muslim Charities Forum,

Somali organisations in the UK have managed to build a forum that they

can look to lead the way in building and developing Somalia. We hope that

MCF can continue to support other community efforts in the same way.

Mukhtar Bihi

Somali Relief and Development Forum

We value our continuing work with MCF in developing joint working

partnerships with faith based communities to tackle global poverty

and inequality. MCF is a strong voice for this movement.

Kalyani Gandhi-Rhodes

OXFAM GB

MCF provides an important service in helping to bring together and strengthen

the efforts of different small development charities, many of them organized

by diaspora groups. It also provides a very useful function in informing

donors and larger relief and development organisations about

the vital work being done by diaspora groups. I have learned

a great deal working with MCF staff.

Professor Laura Hammond

School of African and Oriental Studies

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The Muslim Charities Forum is moving ahead with

some exciting plans over the next year. We are

attracting great interest in new membership, and

are planning a comprehensive training programme

covering a range of issues increasingly pertinent to

charitable organisations in the UK, such as becoming

an effective trustee, PR crisis management, project

management and how to apply for funding.

We hope that these subjects will provide

participants with a greater understanding of

how to work effectively and professionally.

We will also be launching our strategy for the next three

years which will outline MCF’s aims and objectives to

ensure that the Muslim NGO sector becomes stronger,

more accountable and recognised as innovators

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12 Muslim Charities Forum

We have audited the financial statements of The

Muslim Charities Forum for the year ended 31 March

2012 which comprise the Statement of Financial

Activities, the Balance Sheet and the related notes.

The financial reporting framework that has been

applied in their preparation is applicable law and United

Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom

Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). These financial

statements have been prepared under the historical cost

convention as modified by the revaluation of certain

fixed assets and the accounting policies set out therein.

This report is made solely to the charity’s trustees, as

a body, in accordance with regulations made under

section 154 of the Charities Act 2011. Our audit work has

been undertaken so that we might state to the charity’s

trustees those matters we are required to state to them

in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept

or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity

and the charity’s trustees as a body, for our audit work,

for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

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Respective responsibilities of trustees and auditor

As explained more fully in the Trustees’ Responsibilities Statement set out on page 7, the trustees are

responsible for the preparation of financial statements which give a true and fair view.

We have been appointed as auditor under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with regulations made under section 154 of that Act. Our responsibility is to audit and express an opinion on the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland). Those standards require us to comply with the Auditing Practices Board’s Ethical Standards for Auditors.

Scope of the audit of the financial statements

An audit involves obtaining evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements sufficient to give reasonable assurance that the financial statements are free from material misstatement, whether caused by fraud or error. This includes an assessment of: whether the accounting policies are appropriate to the charity’s circumstances and have been consistently applied and adequately disclosed; the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by the trustees; and the overall presentation of the financial statements. In addition, we read all the financial and nonfinancial information in the Trustees’ Annual Report to identify material inconsistencies with the audited financial statements. If we become aware of any apparent material misstatements or inconsistencies we consider the implications for our report.

Opinion on financial statements

In our opinion the financial statements:

• give a true and fair view of the state of the charity’s affairs as at 31 March 2012, and of its incoming resources and application of resources, for the year then ended; • have been properly prepared in accordance

with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and

• have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011. Matters on which we are required to report by exception

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Charities Act 2011 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

• the information given in the Trustees’ Annual Report is inconsistent in any material

respect with the financial statements; or

• sufficient accounting records have not been kept; or • the financial statements are not in agreement

with the accounting records and returns; or • we have not received all the information and

explanations we require for our audit. Fairfax House

15 Fulwood Place, London WC1V 6AY Murtaza Jessa

Senior Statutory Auditor

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Financial Statement

INCOMING RESOURCES Grants Voluntary subscriptions Donations Sundry income

Total Incoming Resources

RESOURCES EXPENDED

Cost of generating funds Charitable activities Governance costs

Total Resources Expended

NET INCOMING/(OUTGOING) RESOURCES FOR THE YEAR

Fund balances at 1 April 2011

Fund balances at 31 March 2012

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the trustees on the 15th of October 2012 and were signed below on its behalf by:

Dr. Hany El-Banna

Chairman Notes 2 3 4 8 Unrestricted Funds 2012 (£) — — — 13,363 13,363 988 65,062 6,600 72,650 (59,287) 61,679 2,392 Restricted Funds 2012 (£) 631,294 — — — 631,294 3,847 132,621 — 136,468 494,825 — 494,825 Total Funds 2012 (£) 631,294 — — 13,363 644,657 4,835 197,683 6,600 209,118 435,539 61,679 497,217 Total Funds 2011 (£) — 72,000 692 2,431 75,123 — 91,196 1,860 93,056 (17,933) 79,612 61,679

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Muslim Charities Forum

Registered Charity No. 1126638

Zakat House 233 Shaftesbury Avenue London WC2H 8EE United Kingdom (UK)

tel +44 (0) 20 7845 7600 fax +44 (0) 20 7990 9980 [email protected] www.muslimcharitiesforum.org.uk facebook.com/muslimcharities muslimcharities.wordpress.com twitter.com/muslimcharities youtube.com/muslimcharitiesforum