The Giving Hand Foundation is an Islamic charity based in the UK, inspired by the community of Preston and guided by Imam Moulana Elyas Desai, Imam and Khateeb at Maahadus Shuhada, Preston. We aim to alleviate poverty and suffering around the world through sustainable and impactful projects.
Throughout the past 10 years, the community of Preston has played an instrumental role in providing aid to different parts of the world.
A compassionate drive for lasting impact
Guided by compassion and fueled by a collective vision, our commitment is rooted in the belief that every individual deserves the opportunity to thrive.
At The Giving Hand Foundation, we envision a world where compassion transforms into action, bridging gaps, and uplifting those facing adversity. Our aim is to champion education, provide essential resources, and build a community dedicated to positive transformation.
As we navigate this journey, each act of kindness and every contribution forms a mosaic of hope, laying the foundation for a brighter and more equitable future. Join us as we work together to turn compassion into meaningful change.
Sympathy or Empathy?
Sympathy is a feeling of pity for another. Empathy means emotionally experiencing someone else's feelings, and trying to alleviate or remove their difficulty. The former makes us human, the latter makes us humane.
Yesterday
Preston, a small city in the Northwest of England. Isn't it amazing how the residents of this city, thousands of miles away from the people they donate to, would serve as a means of humanitarian relief for our brothers and sisters? This brings us to our own Moulana Elyas Desai, currently Imam and Khateeb at Maahadus Shuhada, Preston. His role as an Imam and community has allowed him to build confidence and trust in the community which places him in a unique position to participate in charity work.
Throughout the past 10 years, the community of Preston has played an instrumental role in providing aid to different parts of the world.
Our commitment to serving humanity
So far, the work that has been carried out includes, but is not limited to:
Providing ongoing support through food and shelter in areas of natural disasters, war, civil unrest and poverty.
Livelihood projects which aim to incentivise self-sufficiency.
Building of water wells and water pumps.
Building of Masajids and Makatibs.
Providing sponsorship and ongoing support to students, orphans and widows.
Providing medical support via cataract operations.
To name a few countries that have benefited from the support of the community: India, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, the Middle East, Turkey, Bangladesh, Morocco, and Saudi Arabia.
This brings us to…
Today
Historically, we have acted as a bridge between the local community and the organisations carrying out charity work in different parts of the world.
However, when the government implemented lockdowns during the pandemic, it highlighted the need for us to create an official platform to collect donations. The result of this is the creation of The Giving Hand Foundation, with members of the local community serving as trustees and volunteers under the guidance of Moulana Elyas Sb.
Islamic Foundation: The Giving Hand Foundation's priority is to carry out all aspects of its work according to Islamic tenets. At the heart of the foundation will be the teachings of Allah and the Sunnahs of the Prophet Muhammed ﷺ.
Transparency and Accountability: The Giving Hand Foundation aims to be open about its finances, operations, and impact. This includes transparent reporting of where donations go, outcomes of appeals and projects, and operational costs.
Effective and Efficient Use of Funds: The Giving Hand Foundation will operate a 100% donation policy. Moreover, it will aim to keep administrative expenses to a minimum. Thus, allowing a portion of gift aid to also be used for charitable purposes. We aim for 110-120% return for your donations.
Clear Mission and Goals: The Giving Hand Foundation has a clear, focused mission and sets specific, measurable goals to achieve its objectives. This clarity helps ensure efforts are directed effectively and allows for evaluation of progress.
Evidence-Based Approaches: The Giving Hand Foundation uses strategies and programs based on evidence, which are proven to work. This includes ongoing evaluation of their initiatives to adapt and improve their effectiveness.
Ethical Fundraising Practices: The Giving Hand Foundation adheres to ethical fundraising practices, ensuring donors are treated with respect, honesty, and transparency. This includes accurate representation of their needs and how donations will be used.
Strong Governance: The Giving Hand Foundation has a robust and independent team of trustees and volunteers working under Moulana Elyas Sb.'s guidance, providing oversight of strategic direction and ensuring the organisation adheres to its mission and ethical standards.
Community Involvement: Engaging with the communities we aim to help by listening to their needs and involving them in decision-making ensures that efforts are relevant and practical.
Sustainability: The Giving Hand Foundation works towards long-term sustainability of their projects and impact rather than offering only short-term solutions. This includes building local capacities, ensuring environmental sustainability, and planning for financial sustainability.
Collaboration: The Giving Hand Foundation recognise they can't solve problems in isolation and actively seek partnerships with other NGOs, governments, and the private sector to maximise impact.
What does this mean for us, our donors and the recipients of our donations?
Tomorrow
The Giving Hand Foundation will continue to raise funds for the projects we have been involved with for many years.
Our partner organisations sometimes undertake the delivery of these projects under our supervision. In situations where partner organisations are on the ground, we will continue using their expertise, local knowledge and manpower
In addition, we aim to explore other areas which we have been unable to in the past.
This isn't a new journey; it's the same journey we have been on for many years, just with a new name. Our aims, objectives, principles and obligations are the same as before, if not strengthened even more.
The advancement of technology has made the world small for us. A simple donation on our website can allow us to fulfil your Zakat, Sadaqah and Lilliah worldwide.
We are all familiar with and have repeatedly heard the teachings from the Quran and Hadith regarding charity. Of them are;
Indeed, the men who practice charity and the women who practice charity and [they who] have loaned Allāh a goodly loan - it will be multiplied for them, and they will have a noble reward.
(Al-Hadid 57:18)
The importance of Charity
We are aware of the importance of charity in Islam; including the obligatory annual Zakaah donations.
At The Giving Hand Foundation, we don't wish charity to be just an annual tick box exercise in Ramadhan, when a last minute solution when difficulty afflicts us or when a humanitarian disaster occurs. It is often the case where we donate and then forget.
Rather than being reactive in our donations, let us try to be proactive in our daily lives. At The Giving Hand Foundation we aim to create different donation pots, in order to incorporate the act of giving into our lives, whether it be daily, weekly, or monthly.
