## **TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT AL-EHSAN FOUNDATION (UK) FINANCIAL YEAR ENDING - MARCH 2022-MARCH 2023** ## **GENERAL OVERVIEW** Al-Ehsan Foundation (UK) ALEF was formed from a desire to have an umbrella organisation which not only brought together other faith and non faith based organisations together to promote the work done in their local communities so as to benefit the whole community by disseminating information about Islam as a religion and contributing to charitable endeavours which enhance the wellbeing of the population both local, national and overseas if it was suitable and needed. The Trustees felt that there was sadly, still far too much disinformation and misunderstanding about Islam and Muslims, particularly those living in the UK. To summarise the core values and aims of ALEF: - **VISION –** To be an organisation of excellence and inspiration for local people to foster social cohesion and human fellowship by means of exhibiting the beauty, simplicity and consistency of Islam through the intrinsic goodness of its teachings. - **MISSION** – To provide a platform for promoting a positive understanding of Islamic teachings and to encourage the engagement of the local Muslims in awareness and outreach projects that will benefit both them and wider society. - **MOTO –** _Wa ahsinu_ is the Islamic concept of high virtues and selfless acts of goodness to oneself and to others. It is the highest value of faith and belief in Allah. The noble Quran promotes the concept of wa ahsinu as it is meant to purify human hearts and bring peace and harmony to the people of this world. - **AIMS** – - **(1)** To help create greater awareness and understanding of Islam and its spiritual and moral values in the light of Quranic teaching and Prophetic guidance. - **(2)** To be a reference point for providing information about Islam and Muslims, mainly in the Southwest of England - **(3)** To create a mechanism by which members of the Muslim community and non-Muslim communities can engage with each other to help create a cohesive society and strengthen the community relations. - **(4)** To work towards the creation and maintenance of partnerships with statutory, community and voluntary organisations who similarly wish to engage for the common good. - **(5)** To provide support and guidance to those interested in learning about Islam. The founding trustees to include volunteers of the charity have between them many decades of running/volunteering for various charities and in some cases have been pivotal to the continuing development of Islamic teaching and social integration between Muslims and non Muslims. in the UK, particularly in the South West of England. Under the guidance and leadership of Sheikh Rashad Azami, a renowned Islamic Scholar who is a widely published author of books and articles, both nationally and internationally both on the teachings of Islam and Muslims in general, it was felt that Al-Ehsan would bring together people who had been similarly engaged so that their work can continue and be passed on to the next generation. ## **AMBITION/FUNDING** The overall aim of ALEF is ambitious and would require a significant amount of initial funding, particularly for suitable central premises and for the charitable donations and legacies which ALEF would wish to fund either on its own accord or in conjunction with other charities. One of the fundamental values of ALEF and its founders is to minimise costs and keep every possible penny for good causes, and its aims are to use volunteers wherever possible. In that regard, it was welcome news when a potential donor indicated that they intended to make a substantial donation, towards the setting up of the organisation. This would have enabled the organisation to start on a very strong footing. ## **BANK ACCOUNT/FUNDING** As a new organisation it was necessary for ALEF to open a bank account. However, due to several administrative errors which caused undue delay by the Bank, it took some six months for the initial bank account to be opened. The bank paid a sum of £150.00 as compensation for the delay. However, due to unfortunate circumstances, by the time ALEF was able to accept donations, the global financial situation had changed within that six months’ period, and the large donation was no longer available. Similarly, other donors who had indicated that they would be willing to provide funds, were no longer in a financial position to be able to do so. Some individual donations were still received (please see accounts). Once it was clear that the larger donations would not be forthcoming for the next financial year, the trustees decided not to actively seek funds from smaller donors as this would not be enough to meet the setting up costs (for example premises). But to only fundraise when any need was identified that required funding, for example a specific donation to people in poverty who requested funds. The lack of financial resources was not an issue, as some of the works of ALEF, could be done without a call on monetary resources. ## **WORK AND SERVICES CARRIED OUT** Most of the first year of operation was taken up by identifying the right people to volunteer for the charity and administration and setting up issues. However, alongside this, the trustees and other volunteers continued to engage with other groups and provided help and assistance when required and in that regard, they carried out: - Giving talks to various schools on Islam and holding workshops - Giving talks to Statutory organisations on working with the Muslim community and any specific difficulties and needs. - Working alongside other charities and faith based organisations in how best to provide a cohesive service to the local population. - Working and being available to provide advice and assistance to numerous organisations on matters of faith. - Advising members of the Muslim and non Muslim communities who ask for assistance on various matters, and where possible providing these individuals with the information and guidance required; and where it is not within the experience or remit of ALEF volunteers putting them in touch with other more suitable organisations who are able to help them. ## **EXPENSES** As it can be seen from the annual financial statement, although there is money in the account of ALEF, no money has been paid out. This was made possible by the volunteers, who when carrying out work on behalf of Al Ehsan, decided not to claim any of their expenses due to the nascent nature of the Charity. ## **CONCLUSION** The aims of ALEF are both ambitious and laudable but did not appear without foundation, but from solid footing based on the experiences of the founders. Much of the aims of the organisation have been carried out by the founding trustees and volunteers to a lesser or greater extent on either their own accord or with other organisations over many decades. It is the desire to bring it all together under one organisation and build something solid from the experiences and knowledge of as many people who are willing to join the endeavour to leave a legacy of “a library and wealth of information from a centre of excellence” for future generations to build on, which remains the ambition. Whether we are able to achieve some of our aims as an organisation is very much dependent on many factors. As a new organisation, ALEF has experienced more than its fair share of teething issues, due to circumstances unforeseen. The next few years will be vital to see if the original interest and enthusiasm shown by many to the creation of the organisation is matched by commitment of both time and finances. In the meantime, the ALEF organisation through the individuals who continue to work tirelessly (as volunteers) within the community have contributed to the wellbeing of many. Jusna Dunlop Chief Executive Officer ## Al-Ehsan Foundation (UK) |Statement of Accounts from 14th March 2022 to 31st March 2023|Statement of Accounts from 14th March 2022 to 31st March 2023|Statement of Accounts from 14th March 2022 to 31st March 2023| |---|---|---| |**Descriptions**|**Summary of**
**Accounts**|**Comments**| |**2022-2023 Income**|**Income**|| |**Gen Funds and Mosque working**|£650.00|| |**Charitable Donation**|£1000.00|| |||| |**Total Income**|£1650.00|| |**2022-2023 Expenses**|£0.00|| |||| |**Net InCome**|£1650.00||