In 2023, Islamic Relief launched a wide-ranging new strategy that aligns life-saving and life-changing programming with the push for systemic change.
At the heart of our new Global Strategy 2023-2033, lies the principle that to affect systemic change, we must increasingly address the root causes of inequality and injustice.

Islamic Relief’s work has benefited many millions of people since the charity was established in 1984. In recent years, however, humanitarian needs have grown considerably. Our strategy highlights three key challenges that are making life tougher for the world’s poorest and most marginalised people:

• A worsening climate emergency, for which the countries and communities least responsible for carbon emissions and least able to cope are paying the heaviest price.
• An erosion of the rules-based international order that underpins global governance, stripping away protection for the most vulnerable and allowing cruel misuse of power.
• Accelerating abuses of the principles of fair economy, resulting in increasing inequality and a severe reduction in resources for social protection, health and education.

Our new strategy is our response to these challenges. Following a year of consultation with the Islamic Relief global family, local partners, staff in our programme offices and headquarters, and supporters, we set out a path as to how Islamic Relief can fulfil our mission and deliver the most significant impact for those that we serve.

Inspired by our Islamic faith and the teachings of the Qur’an, the strategy is informed and guided by the Maqasid Framework, an Islamic legal framework that emphasises the sanctity of every individual’s life and dignity and the rights of all to security, health, a sustainable environment, food, shelter, and clean water.