Trustees’ Annual Report 2025
Asia Pacific Dawah Trust (APDT)
Charity Overview: APDT's Mission
The Asia Pacific Dawah Trust (CIO) is dedicated to promoting understanding and practice of Islam across the Asia-Pacific region for the public benefit.
To achieve this, the organisation provides grants to support initiatives that enhance religious awareness and education. It also organises religious gatherings, educational talks and public observances of religious festivals to foster a deeper understanding of Islamic teachings.
APDT’s Main Activities
APDT delivers its aims through a wide range of activities. Working in partnership with other organisations is central to its approach, alongside supporting other charitable bodies.
APDT advances education by establishing learning institutions and training local teachers. It also provides financial support through grants to institutions and organisations whose work aligns with its mission.
APDT also contributes to the construction and refurbishment of places of worship, and supports community — empowerment programmes particularly those designed to help the poor and those in need.
To sustain and expand its work, APDT receives donations, carries out fundraising, and applies for grants in support of its charitable objectives.
Public Benefit Compliance Commitment
The trustees confirm that they have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and that the charity’s activities have been conducted in a way that delivers public benefit.
Achievements and Partnerships in 2025
Strengthening collaborations for greater impact
APDT focused on strengthening its foundations and expanding its ability to deliver charitable support through trusted local partners.
The charity secured formal partnership arrangements by establishing Memoranda of Understanding with key organisations , including Pertubuhan Kadazan Dusun Murut Muslim Se-Malaysia (KDMRS MUSLIM), MyGuide Malaysia, Regional Development Community Berhad (RDC), Ma’ahad Darussalam Liltadrib Alislami, Vietnam and Katambayayong Centre for Change (KCC), Philippines.
These agreements improved coordination and accountability, helping ensure that APDT’s fundraising activity in the UK is effectively translated into well-managed community programmes across the Asia Pacific region.
Governance Enhancements for 2025
Strengthening Leadership and Organisational Structure
APDT also made significant progress in governance during the year. The Board of Trustees approved four core policies and procedures: Internal Financial Controls, Serious Incident Reporting (SIR), Trustee Conflicts of Interest, and Safeguarding.
In addition, APDT enhanced its leadership capacity by appointing an advisory board, including Mr. Yusuf Chambers and Dr. Hany El Banna, bringing additional expertise to support strategic direction and good governance.
The Board of Trustees was expanded with the election of three new trustees—Mr. Nicholas Sylvester, Mr. Muhammad Fakharuddin, and Mr. Wan Ahmad Nizar— improving organisational resilience and decision-making.
Fundraising & Outreach Strategies
In 2025, APDT launched fundraising programmes by setting up multiple online donation platforms - including JustGiving and LaunchGood - during Ramadan and Qurban, enhancing donor engagement through online platforms.
Alongside fundraising activity, the charity improve engagement by producing its first corporate profile and video , strengthening its communications with stakeholders.
Public Appearance
The charity’s profile was further raised through a public appearance by Mr. Nicholas Sylvester (Executive Director and Trustee) on Islam Channel UK, helping increase public understanding of APDT’s charitable purpose . and encouraging wider community support
Overall, these developments increased APDT’s capacity to operate effectively, safely, and transparently, while widening opportunities for the public to contribute to charitable outcomes.
Scan here to watch the interview!
Financial Summary for 2025
The Asia Pacific Dawah Trust experienced a decent financial year with total income of £2,005.70, expenditures at £1,935.10, resulting in a closing balance of £76.73 and no debts.
All funds held at year-end are classified as unrestricted and are currently utilised to meet the charity’s immediate operational requirements.
The Trustees have reviewed the requirement for reserves and note that the charity does not currently maintain a minimum level of financial reserves. This is due to the current scale of operations, where all available financial resources are allocated towards essential operating costs and direct charitable delivery.
The Trustees are committed to developing a formal reserves policy once the charity achieves a more sustainable and predictable level of regular income.
Financial Sustainability Strategies
Managing reserves and cash flow is essential for the long-term viability of APDT. By developing predictable revenue streams and a formal reserves policy, we ensure continued operations and community support.
The charity maintains positive cash flow and solvency, relying on periodic donations. Close monitoring of cash flow is essential to ensure sustainability and operational continuity for future activities.
Governance & Structure Overview
The Asia Pacific Dawah Trust is governed by a CIO Constitution . Trustees serve three-year terms, with a maximum of twelve trustees, ensuring a diverse and effective leadership team for our mission.
Reference & Administrative Details
Charity Name: Asia Pacific Dawah Trust
-
Other name the charity uses: THE GUIDANCE UK Registered charity number: 1203448
-
Charity’s principal address: Innovation Centre and Business Base, 110 Butterfield Green Rd, Great Marlings, Luton LU2 8DL
Trustees for Year 2025
1.Mizanur Raza Choudhury
- 2.Rafitz bin Khamis
3.Nicholas Sylvester
4.Wan Ahmad Nizar
- 5.Muhammad Fakharuddin
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Rafitz bin Khamis
Chairman, Board of Trustees Asia Pacific Dawah Trust 3 March 2025
ASIA PACIFIC DAWAH TRUST 1203448 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For the period 01-Jan-25 31-Dec-25 To from
Section A Receipts and payments
| A1 Receipts | Unrestricted funds to the nearest £ 1,970 29 180 - - - - - 2,179 - - - 2,179 2,109 - - - - - - - - 2,109 - - - 2,109 70 - 6 76 |
Restricted funds to the nearest £ - 262 - - - - - - 262 - - - 262 262 - - - - - - - - 262 - - - 262 - - - - |
Endowment funds to the nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
Total funds to the nearest £ 1,970 291 180 - - - - - 2,441 - - - 2,441 2,371 - - - - - - - - 2,371 - - - 2,371 70 |
Total funds to the nearest £ 1,970 291 180 - - - - - 2,441 - - - 2,441 2,371 - - - - - - - - 2,371 - - - 2,371 70 |
Last year to the nearest £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Donations and legacies | 1,970 | - | ||||
| Charitable activities | 29 | - | ||||
| Other tradingactivities | 180 | - | ||||
| - | - | |||||
| - | - | |||||
| - | - | |||||
| - | - | |||||
| - | - | |||||
| Sub total(Gross income for AR) |
2,179 | - | ||||
| A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table). |
||||||
| - | ||||||
| - | - | |||||
| Sub total | - | - | ||||
| Total receipts A3 Payments |
||||||
| - | ||||||
| Charitable activities | 2,109 | - | ||||
| - | - | |||||
| - | - | |||||
| - | - | |||||
| - | - | |||||
| - | - | |||||
| - | - | |||||
| - | - | |||||
| - | - | |||||
| **Sub total ** | 2,109 | - | ||||
| A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table) |
||||||
| - | ||||||
| - | ||||||
| **Sub total ** | - | - | ||||
| Total payments Net of receipts/(payments) A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end |
||||||
| - | ||||||
| 70 | - | - | 70 |
- | ||
| - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 6 | - | - | 6 | 6 | ||
| 76 | - | - | 76 | 6 |
CCXX R1 accounts (SS)
1
| Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at | Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at | the end of the period | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Categories Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees B5 Liabilities B3 Investment assets B2 Other monetary assets B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use B1 Cash funds |
Details None Details Total cash funds (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) None Bank Balance (this year end) Details Details None Details None Signature |
Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ 76 - - - - - 76 - OK OK Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) - - - - - - - - - Fund to which liability relates Amount due (optional) - - - - - Print Name RAFITZ BIN KHAMIS |
Endowment funds to nearest £ |
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| OK | |||
| Endowment funds to nearest £ |
|||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| Current value (optional) |
|||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| Current value (optional) |
|||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| When due (optional) |
|||
| Date of approval |
|||
| RAFITZ BIN KHAMIS | 04-Mar-26 |
CCXX R2 accounts (SS)
2