UN Recognition

Accreditation is the main entry point for major groups and stakeholders into policy dialogue at the United Nations and Islamic Help is one of only four Muslim organisations in the UK to have received this status, the others being IFEES, the Bahu Trust and Islamic Relief.

Established in 1972 and with its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, UNEP’s declared mission is to provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.

UNEP sets the global environmental agenda and as well as promoting international co-operation and scientific research on environmental issues, it has also encouraged participation by the private sector to promote the sustainable use of the world’s natural resources.

The UN Environment Assembly is the world’s highest-level decision-making body on the environment. Accreditation gives Islamic Help a seat on the Assembly as an observer and the opportunity to contribute to addressing the global challenges which the world faces from climate change.

As well as attending the Assembly, Islamic Help will also have the opportunity to:

1. Receive unedited working documents of the UN Environment Assembly at the same time as the Committee of the Permanent Representatives

2. Participate in the public meetings of the Committee of Permanent Representatives, the Assembly and the Global Major Groups and Stakeholders Forum

3. Attend the plenary sessions of the Committee of the Whole and the Ministerial Consultations as observers and to exchange views and interact with governments present

4. Circulate written statements to governments, in the form of information documents through the UN Environment secretariat

5. Make oral statements during the discussions of the United Nations Environmental Assembly of UN Environment.

UNEP accreditation is a major step forward in Islamic Help’s continuing development as an environmentally sustainable NGO that stands up for the rights of those unfairly impacted by the effects of climate change across the globe.

It provides further impetus for our environmental projects – ranging from our pioneering Children’s Eco Village in Tanzania to tree planting in Jordan, and from the provision of solar power to the participation of Rohingya refugee children in green projects – and the incentive to educate and develop our staff, volunteers and supporters towards the common objective of caring for our environment.

The Qur’an makes it clear that, as Muslims, part of our faith is to care for our environment and our planet. We have been appointed Khalifahs (guardians) of our world and given trusteeship and responsibility to respect, nurture and care for the environment.

Our beloved Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allah Be Upon Him) said: “The world is beautiful and verdant, and verily God, be He exalted, has made you His stewards in it, and He sees how you acquit yourselves.” (Hadith Muslim).

The best of mankind, he (Peace and Blessings of Allah Be Upon Him) set the example for us in caring for and nurturing our environment by setting up inviolable zones, known as Haram and Hima, in which natural resources were to be left untouched.

As Islamic Help enters an exciting new chapter, we look forward to the opportunity of working with UNEP and playing our part in making our world a greener, safer and cleaner legacy for all generations.

Click here to find our more about what Islamic Help is doing and how you can get involved: www.islamichelp.org.uk/climate-action/