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2021-12-31-accounts

Charity registration number 1063835

Company registration number 03398543 (England and Wales)

AL QUDS FOUNDATION FOR MEDICAL SCHOOLS IN PALESTINE

ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

AL QUDS FOUNDATION FOR MEDICAL SCHOOLS IN PALESTINE

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Trustees Dr A Massoud
Mr K Dawas
Dr L Nashef
Dr R Charif
Dr A Awwad
Dr A Misbahuddin
Mr N Serougi
Mrs Y Tabbakh (Appointed 17 June 2021)
Ms E Simon (Appointed 17 June 2021)
Mr N J R Chia (Appointed 17 June 2021)
Ms E V Keating (Appointed 15 April 2022)
Mr R Niven (Appointed 14 April 2022)
Secretary Ms R M Leonard
Charity number 1063835
Company number 03398543
Registered office 86-90 Paul Street
London
EC2A 4NE

AL QUDS FOUNDATION FOR MEDICAL SCHOOLS IN PALESTINE

CONTENTS

Page
Report of the trustees 1 - 4
Independent examiner's report 5
Statement of financial activities 6
Balance sheet 7
Notes to the accounts 8 - 13

AL QUDS FOUNDATION FOR MEDICAL SCHOOLS IN PALESTINE

REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

The trustees present their report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2021.

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the charity's Articles of Association , the Companies Act 2006 and “Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)” (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2016)

Objectives and activities

The Foundation for Al-Quds University Medical School (FQMS) was incorporated on 3 rd July 1997 as a company limited by guarantee No 3398543. FQMS received registration of it charitable status from the Charity Commissioners on 7 th August 1997 with the registered charity number 1063835.

The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.

This report covers the period between 1 st January and 31 st December 202 1 .

The Foundation for Al-Quds University Medical School (FQMS) was incorporated on 3 rd July 1997 as a company limited by guarantee No 3398543. FQMS received registration of its charitable status from the Charity Commissioners on 7 th August 1997 with the registered charity number 1063835. The Trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake. This report covers the period between 1 st January and 31 st December 2021.

The 24 th AGM of the Foundation was held on Thursday 23 rd September 2021 on a virtual online platform (Zoom). Khaled Dawas chaired the meeting. The remaining Trustees for the period were Dr Nihad Tamimi (vice Chairman) Dr Rawya Charif, Dr Ahmed Massoud, Dr Awwad Awwad, Dr Lina Nashef, Dr Anjum Misbahuddin, Mr Neil Serougi, Ms Electra Simon, Mr Naseer Chia, and Dr Yasmin Tabbakh. Ms Rita Leonard (Operations Manager) also attended.

At the AGM two special resolutions were passed. One to change our name officially to the Al Quds Foundation for Medical Schools in Palestine, which was approved by Companies House on 19 th October 2021. The other was to update our purposes to clarify that our programmes are for Al Quds University, An Najah National University, Al Azhar University, and the Islamic University of Gaza, which was approved by the Charity Commission on 19 th October 2021.

The FQMS Trustees met at regular intervals in 2021 on Zoom. The meetings were held on:

In between formal meetings, Trustees conducted the business of the charity with monthly email contact. An emergency Trustee meeting was held in December 2021 to discuss and agree measures to mitigate risk to FQMS following the Home Office Designation of the political arm of Hamas as a terrorist organisation.

The Conference and Courses Subcommittee comprised Ahmed Massoud and Nihad Tamimi. Responsibility for postgraduate trainee affairs was held by Nihad Tamimi and the Madrinha Trust liaison by Khaled Dawas. Anjum Misbahuddin held responsibility for the medical electives’ liaison with the medical schools. Electra Simon and Yasmin Tabbakh set up the social media subcommittee. The fund-raising webinar series organising committee comprised Yasmin Tabbakh, Electra Simon, Anjum Misbahuddin, Rawya Charif, Lina Nashef, Khaled Dawas and Ahmed Massoud.

AL QUDS FOUNDATION FOR MEDICAL SCHOOLS IN PALESTINE

REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

FQMS activities comprised support for undergraduates and postgraduate training. In this year, these include the following:

Rita Leonard has been the sole salaried employee since 2014 at FQMS.

The FQMS annual fundraising dinner programme was changed due to COVID19 restrictions. Instead, a very successful series comprising 3 webinars were held in January, February, and March 2021. Each was themed on a Palestinian city. The deans of the Al Quds, An Najah and IUG medical schools all attended and spoke and guest speakers and entertainers contributed to an enjoyable programme.

Two further webinars were held in June and November 2021 focusing on the suffering and damage caused by the Israeli attack on Gaza as well as Palestinian village heritage respectively.

On 13 th November 2021, FQMS Trustee Neil Serougi organised a very successful Palestine poster event in in the Bristol. This event raised extra income for the charity and attracted attendance from supporters outside the southeast of England.

The planned visits by the Chairman and other Trustees to the OPT for the sake of completing site visits did not take place due to the pandemic. Regular contact with the FQMS partners and beneficiaries was maintained by email and the Trustees are confident that the charity’s funds and projects have been delivered as expected and in good faith. Financial governance remained tight and transparent. The medical elective programmes were not fulfilled in 2021 and the Trustees elected to divert the funds from the elective programme to the bursaries again, in a repeat of the decision made in 2020. The increasing poverty across the world was mirrored in the OPT thus placing extra pressures on the Palestinian students and beneficiaries of FQMS.

The postgraduate training programme in partnership with The Arab Fund and Juzoor remains strong in its delivery and is growing in reputation amongst Palestinian senior trainees. The training was no doubt compromised for all doctors during COVID19 emergency redeployments. FQMS has made the case for extending the training of these international fellows where possible. The UK NHS Trusts benefited from the valuable contribution of senior clinicians at no cost to the taxpayer during the pandemic. The trainees who were working during the pandemic received NHS funded roles so they could make up the time they lost in their training.

AL QUDS FOUNDATION FOR MEDICAL SCHOOLS IN PALESTINE

REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

Further risk management measures were conducted. The 4 medical schools were sent contracts outlining the FQMS funded projects with identification of respective responsibilities and duties. At Al Azhar, concerns were raised about the delay in crediting student accounts with the funds donated by FQMS. A meeting was held with a trustee of the university (Dr Maged Abu Ramadan) and students from the student body (IFMSA). It was agreed that Al Azhar (as with the other 3 medical schools) would have to agree to FQMS contracts of engagement, and these would be signed by senior university officials before any financial transactions are conducted. Al Azhar’s signed contract remained outstanding by the end of 2021 and thus funds were being withheld.

Dr Nihad Tamimi elected to step down from his role as Trustee and vice chairman in September 2021 after a long association with the Charity. The Trustees of FQMS, without exception, wish to record their eternal gratitude to Dr Tamimi for his friendship and tireless work for FQMS and the causes it has supported. In December 2020, the Board interviewed and appointed 4 applicants to the Board of Trustees (with a 6-month probationary period to starting January 2021). Three of the four initial appointees were then offered the substantive roles in June 2021 (Ms Electra Simon, Mrs Yasmin Tabbakh, Mr Naseer Chia). Mr Bob Niven and Ms Emma Keating were appointed provisionally (pending the standard 6-month probation period) as trustees in December 2021. They bring with them a breadth of experience in management and law respectively.

For the preparation of the accounts, which form part of this report, the Trustees thank our Operations Manager Rita Leonard and Treasurer Reuben Ramanah. FQMS congratulates the Deans and all their colleagues and students for continuing progress in the face of immense difficulties.

FQMS is proud of its continued partnership with the Arab Fund and Juzoor. We are also very grateful to our partner the Madrinha Trust for funding generous scholarships and mentoring deserving medical students in the OPT.

Many supporters, not specifically mentioned, have made extremely generous donations to the charity as well as giving of their time and skills. The Trustees are grateful for all their support and encouragement without which much of the charity’s work will not be possible. We remain committed to the development of FQMS in expertise and service towards the fulfilment of its objective of furthering medical education. FQMS and its Trustees are dedicated to collaborative working with partners who eschew the same goals of developing a good medical education and leaders of the future.

Khaled Dawas

Chairman of Trustees, FQMS

13 th August 2022

AL QUDS FOUNDATION FOR MEDICAL SCHOOLS IN PALESTINE

REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

Financial review

It is FQMS policy to make sure that the unrestricted funds are maintained at a level to fund a full year of activities and projects in view of the difficulties encountered in transferring funds to Palestine. As an example, funding for the substantial postgraduate training programme originates in the Middle East and is subject to significant delays.

However, FQMS is committed to rapid use of its charitable funds for the agreed projects and maintenance of as small a financial reserve as possible. FQMS will be increasing funding on several projects, as well as considering new key projects in the coming year.

The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.

Structure, governance and management

The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006.

The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:

Dr A Massoud

Mr K Dawas Dr L Nashef Dr R Charif Dr A Awwad Dr A Misbahuddin Mr N Serougi Mrs Y Tabbakh (Appointed 17 June 2021) Ms E Simon (Appointed 17 June 2021) Mr N J R Chia (Appointed 17 June 2021) Mr N Tamimi (Resigned 28 February 2021) Ms E V Keating (Appointed 15 April 2022) Mr R Niven (Appointed 14 April 2022)

Approved by order of the board of trustees and signed on its behalf by:

Mr K Dawas

Trustee Dated: 22 September 2022

AL QUDS FOUNDATION FOR MEDICAL SCHOOLS IN PALESTINE

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT

TO THE TRUSTEES OF AL QUDS FOUNDATION FOR MEDICAL SCHOOLS IN PALESTINE

I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Al Quds Foundation for Medical Schools in Palestine (the charity) for the year ended 31 December 2021.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the trustees of the charity (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (the 2006 Act).

Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the charity are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) . In carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner's statement

Since the charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of , which is one of the listed bodies.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.

Dated: 23 September 2022

AL QUDS FOUNDATION FOR MEDICAL SCHOOLS IN PALESTINE

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2021
2021
Notes
£
£
Income from:
Donations and legacies
2
125,818
349,014
Investments
3
63
-
Total income
125,881
349,014
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
4
47,708
-
Charitable activities
5
15,658
264,330
Total expenditure
63,366
264,330
Net incoming resources before
transfers
62,515
84,684
Gross transfers between
funds
61,993
(61,993)
Net income for the year/
Net movement in funds
124,508
22,691
Fund balances at 1 January 2021
123,112
395,166
Fund balances at 31 December
2021
247,620
417,857		 Total Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2021
2020
2020
£
£
£
474,832
100,708
316,155
63
752
-
474,895
101,460
316,155
47,708
74,642
-
279,988
16,165
246,169
327,696
90,807
246,169
147,199
10,653
69,986
-
-
-
147,199
10,653
69,986
518,278
112,459
325,180
665,477
123,112
395,166		 Total
2020
£
416,863
752
417,615
74,642
262,334
336,976
80,639
-
80,639
437,639
518,278

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

The statement of financial activities also complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account under the Companies Act 2006.

AL QUDS FOUNDATION FOR MEDICAL SCHOOLS IN PALESTINE

BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2021

Notes
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
8
Current assets
Debtors
9
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors: amounts falling due within one
year
10
Net current assets
Total assets less current liabilities
Income funds
Restricted funds
11
Unrestricted funds		 2021
£
21,226
644,245
665,471
(2,277)		 £
2,283
663,194
665,477
417,857
247,620
665,477		 2020
£
166,528
354,002
520,530
(2,252)		 £
-
518,278
518,278
395,166
123,112
518,278

The company is entitled to the exemption from the audit requirement contained in section 477 of the Companies Act 2006, for the year ended 31 December 2021.

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and the preparation of financial statements.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year in question in accordance with section 476.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.

The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 22 September 2022

Mr K Dawas

Trustee

Company registration number 03398543

AL QUDS FOUNDATION FOR MEDICAL SCHOOLS IN PALESTINE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

1 Accounting policies

Charity information

Al Quds Foundation for Medical Schools in Palestine is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 86-90 Paul Street, London, EC2A 4NE.

1.1 Accounting convention

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the charity's Articles of Association, the Companies Act 2006 and “Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)” (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2016). The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.

The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities applying FRS 102 Update Bulletin 1 not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling , which is the functional currency of the charity . Monetary a mounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

1.2 Going concern

At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

1.3 Charitable funds

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.

Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.

1.4 Income

Income is recognised when the charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.

Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.

1.5 Expenditure

Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Grants offered subject to conditions which have not been met at the year end date are noted as a commitment but not accrued as expenditure.

AL QUDS FOUNDATION FOR MEDICAL SCHOOLS IN PALESTINE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

1 Accounting policies

(Continued)

1.6 Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.

Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:

IT Equipment

25% straight line

1.7 Impairment of fixed assets

At each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any ) .

1.8 Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.

1.9 Financial instruments

The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.

Financial instruments are recognised in the charity 's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Basic financial assets

Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

Basic financial liabilities

Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future p aymen ts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Derecognition of financial liabilities

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity ’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.

AL QUDS FOUNDATION FOR MEDICAL SCHOOLS IN PALESTINE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

1 Accounting policies

(Continued)

1.10 Employee benefits

The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.

Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.

1.11 Retirement benefits

Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.

2 Donations and gifts

Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
funds funds 2021 2020
£ £ £ £
Donations and gifts 116,709 349,014 465,723 406,349
Government grant income 9,109 - 9,109 10,514
125,818 349,014 474,832 416,863
For the year ended 31 December 2020 100,708 316,155 416,863
Investments
Unrestricted Unrestricted
funds funds
2021 2020
£ £
Interest receivable 63 752

3 Investments

AL QUDS FOUNDATION FOR MEDICAL SCHOOLS IN PALESTINE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

4 Raising funds

5 Fundraising and publicity
Admin expenses
Accountancy fees
Exchange rate gain/(loss)
Other fundraising costs
Staff costs
Depreciation
Support costs
Fundraising and publicity
Charitable activities
Depreciation and impairment
Support costs for students
Analysis by fund
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds		 2021
£
3,592
2,040
2,550
642
38,558
326
-
47,708
2021
£
26,768
253,220
279,988
279,988
15,658
264,330
279,988		 2020
£
8,391
2,280
(843)
25,975
38,839
-
4,989
74,642
2020
£
-
262,334
262,334
262,334
16,165
246,169
262,334

6 Trustees

None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the charity during the year.

7 Employees

The average monthly number of employees during the year was:

2021 2020
Number Number
1 1

AL QUDS FOUNDATION FOR MEDICAL SCHOOLS IN PALESTINE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

7
Employees
Employment costs
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Other pension costs
There were no employees whose annual remuneration was more than £60,000.
8
Tangible fixed assets
Cost
At 1 January 2021
Additions
Disposals
At 31 December 2021
Depreciation and impairment
At 1 January 2021
Depreciation charged in the year
Eliminated in respect of disposals
At 31 December 2021
Carrying amount
At 31 December 2021
9
Debtors
Amounts falling due within one year:
Trade debtors
10
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Trade creditors
Accruals and deferred income		 (Continued)
2021
2020
£
£
37,617
37,000
-
915
941
924
38,558
38,839
IT Equipment
£
1,109
2,609
(1,109)
2,609
1,109
326
(1,109)
326
2,283
2021
2020
£
£
21,226
166,528
2021
2020
£
£
277
252
2,000
2,000
2,277
2,252

AL QUDS FOUNDATION FOR MEDICAL SCHOOLS IN PALESTINE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

11 Restricted funds

The income funds of the charity include restricted funds comprising the following unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust for specific purposes:

Movement in funds Movement in funds Movement in funds Movement in funds
Balance at Incoming Resources Balance at Incoming Resources Balance at
1 January 2020 resources expended 1 January 2021 resources expended 31 December
2021
£ £ £ £ £ £ £
IELTS
Training 9,113 - - 9,113 - - 9,113
Dr Poole
Legacy - - - - 250,000 (7,750) 242,250
Post Graduate
Training
Programme 279,631 146,339 (119,326)
306,644		 - (171,322) 135,322
Accomodation
Programme 10,000 2,600 (10,047)
2,553		 3,250 (5,803) -
Bursaries 9,015 12,001 (21,016)
-		 5,460 (5,460) -
Gaza Project - - - - 10,000 (10,000) -
Sponsored
Students 15,921 124,197 (92,131)
47,987		 64,304 (106,619) 5,672
Inji 1,500 8,000 - 9,500 6,000 - 15,500
Teaching
Fellowships - 23,020 (3,651)
19,369		 - (19,369) -
Gaza Bursaries - - - - 10,000 - 10,000
325,180 316,157 (246,171)
395,166		 349,014 (326,323) 417,857