' — Combined Trustee s Annual report 2022 2023
Name of the Charity
The North West Islamic Association
Charity commission Ni number:
(NIC no: 104801)
First Registration Date
3 March 2016.
(Please note in this report the North West Islamic Association will be called as the Association).
Reporting Period
The Annual Report of the Association correlates with the financial year starting from
01 April 2022 to 31 March 2023
Purposes of the charity
The NWIA is established to advance, for public benefit, the interests of its membership in any charitable way, but in particular through the following means in the North-West of Northern Ireland:
a) To promote dialogue, the dissemination of information and awareness of Islam to both Muslims and Non-Muslims. To arrange seminars and interfaith gatherings for better understanding of each other's religions and faiths.
b) To facilitate Islamic rites such as marriage, arbitration of matrimonial disputes and to arrange funeral & burial services and provision of a cemetery.
c) To advance education in accordance with the tenets and doctrines of Islam for all ages by such means as classes and lectures.
d) The establishment, operation and maintenance of institutions that would enhance the religious and social causes of the Muslim community through such means as a library and school etc:
e) To give advice and support to the Muslim community and local authorities where appropriate on any aspect of the Islamic faith and other related matters.
f) The establishment, provision and maintenance of a place in future, for social and cultural gatherings and congregational worship.
g) Obtaining funds through fund raising, donations and receiving grants.
h) To render social services to the Muslim & the local community in this region by providing help to the sick, elderly, needy and the students, and supporting the preservation of family life.
The Structure of the Association:
The Association had 5 elected Trustees during reporting period:
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Dr Imtiaz kar
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Dr. Heba Ali
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Dr Raumeen Gani
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Mr Lotfi Jalloul
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Dr Rashida Rauf
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Dr Zafar Nasir
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Dr Mohammad Abou Samra
The Association currently have the following office bearers,
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Dr Sameh Hassan (Chairperson)
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Dr Ahmed Marzouk (Vice Chairperson)
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Dr Dileep Abdul Salem (secretary)
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Dr Reyad Mehfuz (Treasurer)
In addition to the office bearers NWIA has committee members for the discussion and advice on important issues and events.
The Association conducts regular committee meetings to either plan annual events or to discuss any important issues within the community. The Association keeps relevant minutes and financial statements of all events and transactions.
The Association Members pay a monthly or annual subscription of minimum £10 per month or £120 per annum. The above-named members are responsible for all the activities within the Association governed by its Constitution.
The Association receives financial support through Donors, Members and the Public funds. These funds are used for various activities of The Association.
Main activities of the charity and public benefit statement in relation - to the set out objectives:
This report summarizes the main activities and achievements of the North West Islamic Association (NWIA) in the year 2022-2023. The NWIA is a registered charity that aims to serve the Muslim community and promote interfaith dialogue and cooperation in the region. The NWIA organizes various events and programs throughout the year to fulfill its mission and vision, including the following:
- Türkiye Syria Earthquake Appeal:
In response to the devastating earthquake that hit Türkiye and Syria in October 2022, the NWIA launched an appeal to the community to raise funds for the relief and recovery efforts. The NWIA collected a total of £5,500, which was delivered to Islamic Relief UK, a reputable humanitarian organization, for distribution among the affected people.
- Foyle Foodbank Ramadan Fund Raise:
As part of its annual tradition, the NWIA organized a fund raise for the Foyle Foodbank during the month of Ramadan, when Muslims fast from dawn to dusk and increase their charitable giving. The Foyle Foodbank is a local initiative that provides food and support to people in crisis. The NWIA raised £1,500 in 2022 and £2,100 in 2023, bringing the total amount donated to the Foyle Foodbank since 2017 to around £11,000.
- Free Clothes Giveaway:
In collaboration with local businesses and donors, the NWIA organized a free clothes giveaway at the Centre in December 2022. The community contributed 500 brand new clothes for men, women and children of different sizes and styles. Most of the clothes were distributed to needy asylum seekers and refugees who had recently arrived in the city. The remaining clothes were given to low-income individuals and families of the community who were struggling with the cost of living crisis.
- Asylum Seekers Support:
In January 2023, the NWIA invited a group of asylum seekers to the Centre and delivered an induction talk to them. The talk covered topics such as how to be safe, how to uphold the law of the land, and how to be good ambassadors for their country
and their religion in the city. The association has also been helping them with different issues they are facing through social support and signposting.
- Interfaith Dialogue:
Throughout the year, the NWIA participated in several interfaith dialogue events with local communities and schools. These events aimed to foster mutual understanding, respect and friendship among people of different faiths and backgrounds. The NWIA representatives shared the basic concepts of Islam and answered questions about the Muslim community and its practices. The feedback from these events was positive and encouraging.
- Open Mosque Day:
In March 2023, after a gap due to COVID-19 restrictions, the NWIA hosted an open day at the Centre. The event attracted about 250 people from various local communities who came to visit the Islamic Centre, learn about Islam, interact with Muslims, and enjoy different types of refreshments prepared by the community. The event was a success and generated a lot of goodwill and appreciation among the visitors and the hosts.
- Youth Summer Activities Report
The Youth Summer Activities programme was a series of events organised by NWIA to provide opportunities for young people to develop their skills, have fun and connect with other communities. The programme included two main activities: The Summer Camp and The Oak Fire Adventure Youth trip. The Summer Camp was a three-day camp in collaboration with Youth Action NI, held in around Altruism. The camp was open to young people aged 11 to 16 years and involved various activities such as art, video projects and games. The aim of the camp was to foster leadership and teamwork skills among the participants, as well as to raise awareness of social issues and global citizenship. The Oak Fire Adventure Youth trip was a one-day outdoor adventure trip for young people aged 11 to 16 years, held at The Oak Fire Adventure Centre. The trip was free of charge and targeted at underprivileged youth, who made up about 60% of the 14 participants. The trip offered a range of activities which challenged the participants to overcome their fears, build confidence and enjoy nature. Both activities received positive feedback from the participants, who reported having a great time, learning new things and
making new friends. The activities also helped to promote social cohesion and intercultural dialogue among the diverse groups of young people.
- Autumn Family Fun Day Report
The Autumn Family Fun Day was a community event organised by NWIA at Foyle Arena on October 31st, 2022, coinciding with the mid-term holidays. The event was open to all families in the area and aimed to provide a fun and relaxing day for everyone. The event attracted about 120 people from different backgrounds and cultures, who enjoyed various activities such as Dish Party, Bouncy Castles, Parachute games, ice cream van and football. The event also served as an opportunity for community members to interact with each other, share their experiences and celebrate their diversity. The event was a success, as evidenced by the high attendance, and the positive feedback from the participants.
- Eid Celebrations Report
The Eid Celebrations were two religious and cultural events organised by NWIA to mark the occasions of Eid-ul-Adha 2022 and Eid-ul-Fitr 2023, which are two major festivals in the Islamic calendar. The Eid Celebrations aimed to provide a space for Muslims in the area to perform their prayers, celebrate their faith and share their joy with others. The Eid-ul-Adha Celebration took place on July 10th, 2022, at the Centre. About 200 people attended the Eid prayer, which was followed by a sermon and a social gathering. As part of the celebration, Qurbani Meat was collected from donors and distributed to the most in need individuals and families who were facing difficulties from Cost-of-living Crisis. A total of 30 asylum seekers, refugees and students benefited from this gesture of generosity and solidarity.
A pre Eid Party for the Community was held at the Centre. The party featured various activities such as Ethnic Food Stalls to raise funds for the Masjid project, children arts & craft, preparation of Children’s Eid gift bags, and putting up Eid decorations at the Centre. The party was attended by approximately 70 people, mostly women and children, who had a wonderful time together.
The Eid-ul-Fitr Celebration took place on April 2nd, 2023, at the Centre. The celebration was preceded by a month-long fasting in the month of Ramadhan, during which the Community held nightly prayers and recited the whole Quran. About 200
people attended the Eid prayer, which was followed by a sermon and a social gathering. The Eid Celebrations were well-received by the Community, who expressed their gratitude to NWIA for organising them. The Eid Celebrations also helped to strengthen the sense of belonging and identity among the Muslims in the area, as well as to showcase their culture and values to others.
- Quran Distribution:
The Association received requests from some of the newly arrived asylum seekers for copies of the Quran. An appeal was made to the community on 22 Dec 2022 and 30 copies of the Quran were donated and distributed to the asylum seekers. The remaining copies are stored at the Centre for future distribution.
- Sunday School:
The Islamic School provides education in Arabic language, Islamic studies, and Quran to 60 students aged from 5 to 17 years. The students come from various locations such as Derry/Londonderry, Coleraine, Letterkenny, Buncrana and Carndonagh. The Association also organizes sports activities such as table tennis, football etc. for the students. These activities help them interact with each other and foster friendship and understanding among them.
The NWIA is proud of its activities and achievements in 2022-2023, which reflect its commitment to serving the Muslim community and fostering interfaith dialogue and harmony in the North West region. The NWIA thanks all its members, volunteers, donors, partners, and supporters for their contributions and cooperation. The NWIA looks forward to continuing its work in 2023-2024 with more enthusiasm and dedication.
- Annual Financial Statement for year 2022. 2023
Please see the attached detailed account statement by the accountant.
Report being submitted on the behalf all trustees.
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Dr Imtiaz kar
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Dr. Heba Ali
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Dr Raumeen Gani
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Mr Lotfi Jalloul
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Dr Rashida Rauf
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Dr Zafar Nasir
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Dr Mohammad Abou Samra
Imtiaz kar