Al-Azhar’s Islamic Research Academy launches “30 Days of Kindness”, its first global initiative to support refugees and displaced people in cooperation with UNHCR

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, December 29, 2020: The Islamic Research Academy at Al-Azhar Al-Sharif announced its first global advocacy initiative in collaboration with the UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, to inspire kindness and support to the most vulnerable displaced persons over the winter months. This initiative comes with the onset of winter and worsening economic crisis exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, adding to the challenges faced by over 3.8 million refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in dire need of assistance. The initiative, titled “30 Days of Kindness”, is being launched under the guidance of His Eminence Dr. Ahmad Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, as part of his support for Al-Azhar's humanitarian role at the regional and international levels.

The initiative will run in both Arabic and English leveraging social media networks and influential figures; it calls upon the humanitarian and religious values of people living in the region and around the world to support and advocate for individuals and families who require basic necessities, encourages Muslim and non-Muslim communities alike to take the initiative and help IDPs, refugees and all vulnerable communities. The initiative also aims to highlight the importance of strategic partnerships between religious and international humanitarian organizations in the service of the needy.

With the launch of this first-ever initiative, Dr. Nazir Ayad, Secretary-General of the Islamic Research Academy, stated: "We are incredibly pleased to launch this humanitarian initiative with UNHCR, as this cooperation combines Al-Azhar's mission to promote the humanitarian values of Islam with UNHCR's credibility and extensive experience in providing protection and assistance for refugees and IDPs in the region and around the world.” He added: “We hope that this joint initiative will be the start of a lasting cooperation between the two parties, aimed at highlighting the situation of the world's refugees and IDPs, as well as their needs and ways to assist them.”