International Waqf and Relief Foundation (Iwarf)

The International Waqf and Relief Foundation (IWARF), established in 2013 and registered as charity number 1154905 in England and Wales, is an Islamic philanthropic organisation dedicated to advancing the faith, fostering inter-community dialogue, educating disadvantaged populations, and relieving hardship among the poor, widowed, orphaned, refugees, and disaster victims both in the UK and globally. Rooted in traditional waqf (endowment) principles, IWARF modernises this model for sustainable community development and humanitarian relief, guided by values of excellence, compassion, and professionalism to deliver transformative, resilient aid.

It prioritises emergency humanitarian relief (food, medical aid, shelter), sustainable development via waqf infrastructure (schools, wells, hospitals), education for the impoverished, and support for orphans, widows, refugees, and crisis-affected communities. Active in countries like Bangladesh, Eritrea, Palestine, Kashmir, Myanmar, Yemen, Syria, Turkey, Pakistan, Somalia, and Lebanon—plus UK-focused education and interfaith work—IWARF funds projects blending immediate response with long-term empowerment, often through direct delivery or partners addressing poverty, disasters, and marginalisation.

Unsolicited applications are not accepted; funding is invite-only, with adhoc trustee decisions and no published deadlines, processes, or forms. Eligible entities are unspecified (likely charities or groups aligned with priorities), with no geographic base, income/size restrictions, or religious limits, though focus is global crisis zones. Typical grant ranges and amounts are undisclosed (2024 expenditure: £249,860), emphasising project-specific support over unrestricted funding. Distinctively, IWARF stands out for its waqf-driven sustainability within an Islamic ethical framework, differentiating it from conventional aid by prioritising enduring self-sufficiency for the world's most vulnerable.