Islamic Relief UK partner with NZF to support local Muslims facing cost of living hardship

Thursday 31st March, 2022

Islamic Relief will help approximately 440 people with a £100,000 boost to NZF’s Hardship Relief Fund, helping successful applicants to NZF pay for essentials such as food and heating.

A record number of Muslims are seeking hardship relief due to the rising cost of living. Requests for help to NZF have soared by 70% over the last twelve months. NZF gives out grants from Zakat collected from British Muslims to those in our communities who are in need, here in the UK.

Islamic Relief UK have responded by donating £100,000 towards NZF which will help 440 people, especially with the holy Islamic month of Ramadan approaching.

The rising cost of living, the effects of the pandemic as well as the situation in Ukraine have all contributed to a devastating situation for families, many of who will be struggling to put food on the table and choosing between eating and household bills.

The unprecedented demand for support from NZF reflects the statistics by Muslim Census, which stated that the Muslim community in the UK has fallen into poverty at a rate of 10 times higher than the national average. 

The report also revealed that job losses among Muslims have been six times greater compared to the rest of the population since the pandemic began and that 42% of the Muslims surveyed have had to use their savings to cover their expenses during the pandemic. This compares to a recent study by AJ Bell, an established investment platform, that recorded that 30% of people in the UK have had to use their savings. 

Sohail Hanif, Chief Executive of NZF, said:

“At NZF, we’ve seen a record number of applications to our Hardship Relief Fund over the last 12 months. The cost-of-living crisis has meant that Muslims who were already struggling to get by from month to month are facing an unprecedented struggle just to cover the basics – from food to heating. Sadly we expect the situation to get worse over the coming months.

I‘m pleased that NZF is working with Islamic Relief UK in a joint effort to help those affected by the rising cost of living here in the UK. Islamic Relief is a leader in international charity. We are proud to partner with them to address the very real needs of our UK Muslim community. Islamic Relief UK’s £100,000 donation to our Hardship Relief Fund will greatly help Muslim individuals and families who are struggling here and now.”

Tufail Hussain, Director of Islamic Relief UK said:

“Many families in the UK are struggling to put food on the table and parents are going hungry just so their children can eat. The cost of living crisis is pushing families deeper into poverty, this should not be happening in one of the richest countries in the world. 

The NZF hardship fund is a lifeline for many struggling families, especially during these difficult times. 

Islamic Relief UK is proud of our partnership with NZF and we hope our support will go towards making a huge difference to people across the country.”