Celebrating 40 Years of Muslim Aid

On 30 November, Muslim Aid marked 40 years of humanitarian service. The evening in London brought together supporters, staff, founders, and friends to reflect on the organisation’s legacy, honour those delivering life-saving work today, and consider the world we want to see in the next 40 years.

The gathering, hosted by Shehab Khan, ITV’s political correspondent, began with a moving Qur’an recitation and reflections from students, setting the tone for an evening of remembrance and inspiration. Chair Mustafa Faruqi and CEO Khalid Javid shared powerful insights on the organisation’s history and the communities we serve. Many guests were struck by the CEO’s message that charities should aim to abolish themselves, eliminating the suffering and need that necessitates charity in the first place.

Muslim Aid has always been defined by bold, pioneering action. From being among the first responders in Basra during the Iraq crisis, to rebuilding smarter after the tsunami in Indonesia, to embedding localisation and safeguarding in our work long before it became standard practice, the organisation has consistently led with courage and foresight.

And as a fun note on our origins, our founder Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens) says the name “Muslim Aid” comes from him being asked to leave Live Aid for wanting to sing acapella – an origin story that still resonates with our ethos of principled action.

Throughout the evening, speakers shared reflections that brought our 40-year journey vividly to life. Yusuf Islam reflected on the founding principles and the enduring mission to serve communities in need. Sheikh Dr Abdal Hakim Murad spoke on the power of communities coming together to create change. Baroness Sayeeda Warsi highlighted the urgent need to combat Islamophobia while emphasising Muslim Aid’s role in shaping a future rooted in compassion and justice. The nasheed performance by Mesut Kurtis added a spiritual and cultural resonance, underscoring the values that underpin our work.

A highlight of the evening was the unveiling of our new logo created by Arc Management in video partnership with Cre8Aura. The refreshed design embodies the responsibility of the ummah to help those in need, avert crises, and act as stewards of the earth. It reflects both our heritage and forward-looking mission, aligned with the 2030 Strategy, which strengthens localisation, emergency preparedness, and safeguarding across all areas of our work.

The event also drew attention to the Water for Gaza appeal, with guests contributing through QR codes, donation forms, and a silent auction. This was a tangible reminder that every action, every gift, and every partnership directly improves the lives of people facing urgent humanitarian need.

As the evening unfolded, it was clear that Muslim Aid’s 40-year journey is more than a history of emergency response. It is a story of vision, courage, and principled action, of people striving to leave the world better than they found it. From reflecting on the work of former staff and trustees to honouring those delivering aid today – especially those unable to join us in London – the night was a powerful reminder of the enduring impact of Muslim Aid and the world we aim to shape together over the next 40 years.