Updated 2 December 2008

“O you who believe! Fsting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may guard (against evil).  (Holy Qur’an, 2:183)

Since 1976, when the doors of The World Federation offices first opened, the Ramadhan Relief Fund has develop into an annual initiative, bringing respite to deserving Mo’mineen across the world during the Holy month. In fact, even before The World Federation began this Fund, The Africa Federation had already been carrying out its own Ramadhan relief efforts.

The World Federation is a strategic body, addressing the changing and diverse needs of the Khoja Shia Ithna Asheri Muslim Communities across five continents. One of its key roles is to create policies and procedures for its activities, with the aim of uniting our communities that much more. One of these initiatives is the Ramadhan Relief Fund.

ETHOS OF THE RAMADHAN RELIEF FUND
“The Ramadhan Relief campaign is a worldwide initiative focussed on helping deserving Rozedaars, during the Holy Month of Ramadhan. The initiative will focus on reducing the burdens on these Mo’mineen and their families and to bring a sense of comfort and hope to them.”

The World Federation works in areas where our Shia brothers and sisters are present, and endeavours to come to the aid of deserving individuals. This support is a combination of welfare work and income generation for those who are able to work. The Ramadhan Relief Fund is the frontline campaign against extreme poverty.

Extreme poverty is defined as being for those who live on less that $1.25 per day. There are over one billion people worldwide who live on less than this amount, many of whom are of our faith. The World Federation shall use the Ramadhan Relief campaign to help these Mo’mineen.

POLICY PAPER PRESENTED
At the Seventh Executive Council Meeting for the 2006-2009 term held on 16 November 2008, The World Federation tabled the Ramadhan Relief Policy Paper. This document has been created by the Secretariat in order to codify and clarify the KSI Community’s policy towards the Ramadhan Relief Fund.

REQUEST FOR INPUT FROM THE COMMUNITY
The World Federation is seeking input on this Policy Paper from all Regional Federations, Jamaats and community members. Once feedback is received, the Secretariat will collate the information for presentation at the Eighth Executive Council Meeting to be held in April 2009, where it will be tabled for adoption.

CONTENTS OF THE PAPER
The Ramadhan Relief Policy Paper explains the following:

• The ethos and purpose of the Ramadhan Relief Fund
• The organisations on the ground that The World Federation will partner with
• The types of activities that this initiative will contain
• The emphasis on clear needs assessments
• The factors used in allocating funds
• The importance of reporting from regional members and agencies
• Recommendations for future programmes

Shan-E-Abbas Hassam, Assistant Secretary General for Relief & Economic Development said: 'We have created this policy paper to codify the World Federation Secretariat's planning and accountability process for the Ramadhan Relief Campaign. The activities are conducted by all our community institutions - whether it be raising the funds or disbursing them. It is only right therefore for us to consult the community at large on the ethos, process, reporting framework and key concepts of the annual Ramadhan Relief Programme. Please send us your comments by no later than 31 December 2008.'

Click here to view / download the Ramadhan Relief Policy Paper

For more information, or to provide your comments on the Policy Paper, please email relief@world-federation.org