Frequently Asked Questions
To help narrow down your query, we've created this list of frequently asked questions — whether those questions relate to our events, our work, how you can help, or something else entirely.
About The Zahra Trust
When was The Zahra Trust founded?
The Zahra Trust was founded in 2008. We are a registered charity in England and Wales (Charity Number 1129501) and are fully regulated by the Charity Commission.
What does The Zahra Trust do?
The Zahra Trust is a faith-based charity organisation that provides humanitarian aid globally — so that people can live self-sufficiently. We provide emergency relief, food aid, medical aid, educational support, water and sanitation services, and support to orphans, widows and vulnerable people.
Does The Zahra Trust hold Ijaza to collect Khums?
Yes, The Zahra Trust holds ijazas to collect Khums from Ayatullah Sistani, Ayatullah Basheer Hussain Najafi, Ayatullah Ishaq al-Fayadh, and the late Ayatullah Sayed Al-Hakim.
Where are your offices, and what areas do you work in?
The Zahra Trust has partner offices in London (UK), Karbala and Najaf (Iraq), Toronto (Canada), and New York (USA).
Our operational programs reach communities in Yemen, Kenya, Tanzania, Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, Lebanon, and Iraq, where we deliver relief, development aid, and support to those most in need.
Fundraising & Volunteering
Can I fundraise on behalf of The Zahra Trust?
Absolutely! We welcome and appreciate your support. You can create a fundraising page directly at zahratrust.enthuse.com, or contact us at [email protected] for guidance in setting up your page and making your fundraising efforts a success.
Can I volunteer with The Zahra Trust?
Yes! There are several ways to get involved:
Overseas deployments: If you are a medical doctor, dentist, optician, or nurse, you may be able to join our medical trips abroad, subject to due diligence checks. For occasions such as Arbaeen, you can volunteer by completing our volunteer application form, after which a member of our team will contact you.
Visiting projects abroad: We generally do not send volunteers to our overseas projects, as many of the communities we serve are in remote or hard-to-reach areas, requiring careful planning and resources. However, we do encourage volunteering in specific circumstances, such as during Arbaeen at our Mowkeb, where support is needed on-site.
You can also volunteer locally to assist with fundraising, event management, social media, graphic design, or community outreach. Please fill in our volunteer form if you are interested in contributing your skills to support our mission.
Donations
How can I donate?
By website
You can make a secure donation on our website: www.zahratrust.com/donate, or via our app: zahratrust.com/app.
By telephone
To donate over the phone, please call our Supporter Care team on +44 208 452 7565. Our lines are open Monday – Friday, 9am–5pm.
By bank transfer / wire
If you prefer, you can donate via bank transfer or wire, or set up a standing order / monthly direct debit to make regular contributions. Please contact our Supporter Care team on +44 208 452 7565. Our lines are open Monday – Friday, 9am–5pm.
We are currently unable to accept donations of clothing, medication, or toys.
What is Gift Aid?
Gift Aid is a scheme that allows charities in the UK to reclaim tax on all eligible donations made by a UK taxpayer. It increases the value of your donations by 25%, meaning that even more money goes to those in need — at no extra cost to the donor.
To be eligible for Gift Aid, you must be a UK taxpayer and understand that if you pay less Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax than the amount of Gift Aid claimed on all your donations in that tax year, it is your responsibility to pay any difference. For further information, please see gov.uk/donating-to-charity/gift-aid.
What are your administrative costs?
Our administrative costs are covered through Gift Aid donations, so your donation goes further without reducing the amount you give. If you are a UK taxpayer, you can tick the Gift Aid box on our donation form or when donating online. This allows us to reclaim tax on your donation at no extra cost to you, helping us cover essential administrative expenses while supporting more people in need.
Can I support a particular cause or donate to a specific country or project?
While we understand the desire to support a specific cause, we encourage donors to contribute to our "Where Most Needed" fund. Unrestricted donations allow us to respond flexibly to the areas of greatest need, reduce administrative costs, and ensure that your contribution reaches more vulnerable people around the world. This approach helps us deliver aid efficiently and make the biggest impact possible.
Still have questions?
Our Supporter Care team is here to help. Get in touch and we'll be happy to assist.