Well done to @IslamicReliefUK for winning the Advocacy Campaign of the Year award #MuslimCharityAwards pic.twitter.com/sEe2GzpBBO

— Human Appeal (@HumanAppeal) February 22, 2017

Yesterday marked the first of the Muslim Charity awards hosted by the Muslim Charity Forum. The event took place in the opulent and prestigious Church House venue in Westminister.It was an event that was needed, having worked at Muslim Aid myself I have seen the brothers and sisters who tirelessly work on programmes which aim to provide water during droughts, food packages during famine as well as empower women and men to improve their own lives through education projects as simple as the importance of washing your hands. 

For years they have worked in our communities, a fixture during Ramadan outside our mosques and on our TV screens raising millions for people all around the world. Working with limited resources, it’s up to them to create exciting campaigns which raise both awareness and funds. 

One thing that was poignant was the ‘brotherhood/sisterhood’ in fact Twitter came alive with charities congratulating each other (see above), we saw individuals like Tufail Hussain who has worked at Muslim Aid, Orphans in Need and now Islamic Relief reflect this through merely their work history. I have seen first hand the camaraderie amongst charity workers and I wish each and every person congratulations whether an award was won or not. May Allah grant them the highest of Jannah. 

If you want to get involved with these charities a great way to start is by becoming a volunteer. I started at Muslim Aid as a volunteer and quickly became a  member of there Volunteers department. It was one of the best and naturally most fulfilling roles I had.

Our Deputy Director and Advocacy Manager celebrating our win with Shadow DFID Secretary @KateOsamor at the #MuslimCharityAwards ! pic.twitter.com/pkrvVyLSdQ

— Islamic Relief UK (@IslamicReliefUK) February 22, 2017

Congratulations to @HumanAppeal on winning the award for ‘Most Impact Domestic Programme’. Sponsored by @StoneKingLLP. @Muslim_Aid pic.twitter.com/iv2He9bf5j

— MuslimCharitiesForum (@muslimcharities) February 23, 2017

#Muslim charities have been vilified, says @SayeedaWarsi –https://t.co/LKdoCHGhjB. pic.twitter.com/qkinhTrE7V

— MuslimCharitiesForum (@muslimcharities) February 23, 2017

Well done to Sayeeda Warsi for speaking up about Muslim Charities being vilified, from bank accounts being frozen to uncalled for investigations. It put’s a lot of pressure on the charities and those who work there.

Alhamdulillah IR has won Advocacy Campaign of year award for our work on Islamic Declaration on #ClimateChange! #MuslimCharityAwards

— Imran Madden (@imranmadden) February 22, 2017

Congratulations to @IslamicReliefUK on winning the ‘Advocacy Campaign of the Year’ award. Commendation by #IHRC. @muslimcharities pic.twitter.com/GGtv8BjFTo

— MuslimCharitiesForum (@muslimcharities) February 23, 2017

Great to be at #MuslimCharityAwards hearing about the work of British Muslim charities and the generosity of the community

— Vicky Browning (@browning_vicky) February 22, 2017

IHRC Legal received a commendation for Advocacy Campaign of the year at the #MuslimCharityAwards!

— IHRC (@ihrc) February 22, 2017

Hand in Hand, charity of the year for its amazing work in Syria. #MuslimCharityAwards pic.twitter.com/KO9xkgRLlC

— David Fielding (@DFielding101) February 22, 2017

We are so honoured to have won the the Fundraising Campaign of the Year at #MuslimCharityAwards Thank you to everyone that supported us.

— pennyappeal.org (@pennyappeal) February 22, 2017

Congratulations @PennyAppeal. for winning the Fundraising Campaign of the Year. #MuslimCharityAwards pic.twitter.com/ABcs5gyCjI

— Adeem Younis (@adeem_younis) February 22, 2017

This is timely: charity awards will celebrate generosity of British Muslims #muslimcharityawards #bridgesnotwalls https://t.co/PHXfuaFVSn

— Katie Grant (@kt_grant) February 22, 2017

Deputy Director @TufailH speaking to media about the importance of lobbying our leaders to continue to tackle #ClimateChange pic.twitter.com/REPd60atSF

— Islamic Relief UK (@IslamicReliefUK) February 22, 2017