Week 6 - Ummah Welfare Trust

Eid Mubarak!

As this is an auspicious time in the Muslim calendar I thought I'd donate to a Muslim charity.  I have no personal belief in Islam but I know that charity (zakat) is an important part of the faith and of Ramadan so it felt appropriate for this week.

The charity I've chosen is Ummah Welfare Trust.  They work on many projects around the world and you can choose the project that your donation goes to.  I've chosen their Girls Academy, a safe environment for girls to learn which they are currently fundraising to build.  The site of the academy is the Sunderbans in West Bengal, India, an area where almost 50% of the population exist below the poverty line.  Amidst this poverty girls are increasingly forced into marriage with wealthy men or into prostituion.  The academy aims to house around 300 girls from the area who are prone to exploitation.

100% of charitable donations to Ummah Welfare Trust go to the project you are supporting.  Money for administration is raised and accounted for separately (through sales in their charity shops, Gift Aid and specific donations).