Islam Channel viewers and Islamic Relief donors have yet again demonstrated astonishing generosity by raising £1.5 million during a live charity appeal on the 27th night of Ramadan.

This was a milestone for the channel’s long-term charity partner, Islamic Relief, who reported that their groundbreaking ‘Children of Gaza’ appeal had set a new record for the charity, of being the largest amount ever raised  in one single night for the charity, since its founding in 1984.

The donations were raised for Islamic Relief’s vital work in Palestine to provide critical humanitarian aid to the children of Gaza, who are suffering heavily due to the ongoing genocide by Israel.

Donations of all sizes poured in throughout the night, highlighting the eagerness of the Muslim community to give what it can to help the Palestinians.

The Zakat appeal raised funds for critical support, including emergency meals, safe delivery of babies, medical equipment, and orphan sponsorship. 

The fundraising hosts shared moving accounts and video footage of the ongoing extreme hardship faced by Palestinian children and their parents. 

They highlighted the dire medical conditions, including harrowing stories of women undergoing cesarean sections without anaesthesia. Islamic Relief’s work alleviates the suffering of these mothers, forced to give birth in dangerous conditions, to enable them to give birth safely and to restore their dignity. 

It emphasised the stark contrast of doctors trying to deliver babies safely into the world while simultaneously witnessing the rising number of children and infants killed in Gaza.

Another great year for fundraising

CEO Mohamed Harrath said: “It is truly humbling to witness the generosity of our viewers, who give so unselfishly to others, night after night, to support the vital work of our charity partners, like Islamic Relief, who work in often very dangerous conditions, to improve the lives of others. 

“Charity is at the heart of Islam Channel and is an important part of what we do, but we couldn’t do it without our viewers who continue to give so abundantly. I would like to congratulate Islamic Relief on this incredible achievement and feel honoured that we have been able to play a role in helping them to alleviate the suffering of the people of Gaza.”

Islamic Relief was founded in the UK back in 1984, by a medical student responding to the famine in East Africa and has been a long-standing partner of Islam Channel. Islamic Relief Worldwide has grown to become one of the world’s largest relief and development charities, operating in more than 40 countries, and has transformed the lives of over 120 million people.

Yet again, Islam Channel’s viewers have surpassed all expectations with their generosity. 

Islam Channel Urdu and Bangla also raise funds for charities each night during Ramadan, reinforcing the giving nature of our viewers across the board. 

It is well established that Muslims are the UK’s most generous charity donors. A report last year found British Muslims donate four times more to charity than the national average. 

Another report by the Muslim think tank Ayaan Institute revealed that British Muslim charitable donations exceed £1bn a year and are projected to reach over £4bn by 2051.