Muslim Charity at UNGA80: Ending Human Trafficking & Slavery

Muslim Charity joined international leaders at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA80) in New York this week, taking part in the high-profile sideline event “The Power of Purpose” hosted by Foreign Policy.

Representing Muslim Charity were Chairman Bakhtyar H. Pirzada and Director of Programmes and Policy Irfan Rajput, who contributed to the segment “Faith in Freedom: Harnessing the Power of Islamic Philanthropy to End Modern Slavery.” They shared the platform with Amy Pope, Director General of the UN Migration Agency (IOM), and Mohammed Abdiker, Chief of Staff of IOM, alongside other global voices.

This participation builds on Muslim Charity’s growing collaboration with IOM through the Islamic Philanthropy Fund — a partnership dedicated to tackling human trafficking and working towards the end of modern slavery.

“A CHALLENGE WE MUST CONFRONT WITH URGENCY AND RESOLVE”

Speaking from New York, Muslim Charity’s Chairman, Bakhtyar H. Pirzada, said:

“Muslim Charity is proud to bring its voice to this global gathering. Today, more than 50 million people are trapped in modern slavery worldwide. This is a challenge we must confront with urgency and resolve. Together with IOM, we are joining hands through the Islamic Philanthropy Fund to tackle human trafficking and defend human dignity. Our purpose is clear: to help the needy, and to safeguard the sanctity of every life.”

THE ROLE OF ISLAMIC PHILANTHROPY

In his remarks, Irfan Rajput highlighted the importance of Islamic giving in accelerating the fight against modern slavery:

“Islamic philanthropy has deep roots in our faith, with zakat forming one of the pillars of Islam. Faith-based organisations like Muslim Charity are able to mobilise resources from businesses, philanthropists and communities who want to see real impact. This model is both scalable and sustainable, and can fill critical gaps where governments and traditional donors face constraints.”

THE POWER OF FAITH-BASED PARTNERSHIPS

Director General of IOM, Amy Pope, underlined how partnerships with organisations like Muslim Charity can drive meaningful change:

“Many people don't realise that there is still modern day slavery. They don't realise that there are as many as 50 million people who are working in conditions where they're not paid, where they can't leave, where often their family and friends don't even know where they're located. Building awareness through faith-based partnerships is a way to dramatically improve understanding and knowledge of what drives modern day slavery, how we spot the impact of it and ultimately how we support people who've been trafficked. The support that we get from the faith-based communities enables someone to rebuild their life, to find hope and to find a future.”

A PROUD MOMENT FOR MUSLIM CHARITY

The event marked a significant milestone for Muslim Charity, elevating its voice on the international stage and reinforcing its commitment to global humanitarian action.

By standing alongside IOM and international partners at the United Nations, Muslim Charity has demonstrated the unique contribution of Islamic philanthropy to the global effort to end human trafficking and modern slavery.

Muslim Charity remains determined to continue its mission of helping the needy worldwide, guided by faith, compassion and an unwavering commitment to human dignity.