Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah, advisor to the Royal Court and supervisor general of King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), emphasized the importance of giving charity and zakat in Islam during a high-level side event organized by UNHCR. The event, titled “The role of Islamic philanthropy in responding to the global refugee crisis,” took place during the 79th session of the UN General Assembly in New York. Al-Rabeeah expressed gratitude to UNHCR for hosting this important discussion on the role of Islamic charitable work and highlighted the Kingdom’s commitment to providing aid under the guidance of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been actively involved in charitable work and was among the first countries to join the Global Islamic Fund for Refugees (GIFR), established by UNHCR and the Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development (ISFD). As a member of the Steering Committee, the Kingdom contributed $10 million to the endowment fund in September 2022. Al-Rabeeah stressed the Kingdom’s deep concern for refugees and its efforts to collaborate with various organizations to ensure that the basic needs of all refugees are met. Saudi Arabia aims to create sustainable mechanisms that support refugees and enable them to live safely and with dignity while in host countries.
Al-Rabeeah expressed gratitude to UNHCR and ISFD for launching GIFR and called on friendly countries to share the financial burden of supporting refugees and displaced persons, as well as host communities. He emphasized the importance of securing sustainable resources for millions of individuals who are in need of assistance and stressed the Kingdom’s commitment to providing aid to those affected by conflict and displacement. The event highlighted the critical role of Islamic philanthropy in addressing the global refugee crisis and the need for international collaboration to support those in need.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has a long history of providing humanitarian aid and supporting those affected by crises around the world. Through organizations like KSrelief, the Kingdom has been able to deliver vital assistance to refugees and displaced persons in various regions. Al-Rabeeah’s participation in the event at the UN General Assembly underscored Saudi Arabia’s commitment to alleviating the suffering of those in need and working towards sustainable solutions for refugees. The Kingdom’s contributions to GIFR demonstrate its dedication to supporting refugees and displaced persons, as well as its efforts to create partnerships with global organizations to address the ongoing challenges faced by vulnerable populations.
The Global Islamic Fund for Refugees (GIFR) represents a new initiative aimed at mobilizing resources to support refugees and displaced persons in host countries. By bringing together Islamic philanthropic organizations and international partners, GIFR seeks to address the funding gaps that often hinder humanitarian responses to crises. The establishment of GIFR reflects a broader effort to engage Islamic charitable institutions in addressing global challenges and promoting solidarity among Muslim-majority countries. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s support for GIFR demonstrates its commitment to Islamic principles of charity and compassion towards those in need.
Al-Rabeeah’s participation in the high-level side event at the UN General Assembly highlighted the critical role of Islamic philanthropy in responding to the global refugee crisis. By emphasizing the importance of giving charity and zakat, Al-Rabeeah underscored the significance of Islamic values in promoting compassion and solidarity towards those in need. The event served as a platform for discussing innovative solutions to support refugees and displaced persons, as well as the importance of international cooperation in addressing humanitarian challenges. Saudi Arabia’s leadership in humanitarian efforts and its support for initiatives like GIFR demonstrate its commitment to alleviating the suffering of vulnerable populations and promoting sustainable solutions to global crises.
