National Zakat Foundation has plans to assist the Palestinian individuals and families that have been granted temporary visas by the Australian government. This includes firstly how are the Palestinians coming to Australia, how NZF intend to assist these individuals and families and how NZF has developed a grassroots program over the last ten years to handle such humanitarian catastrophes. We will share with you how the family sponsors can apply for assistance for those who have come directly from Gaza.

To begin with, one may ask how the Palestinians are coming to Australia. The temporary visas exist because they are simply part of the visa system in Australia. Notably, this was implemented last year for the Ukrainian citizens. Prior to this in 2021, temporary visas were allocated to the Afghans.

Presently, 800 temporary visas have been allocated to the Palestinians, which will see most of them residing in Victoria and New South Wales. In terms of a Zakat perspective, many of the Palestinians will come to Australia with literally nothing, which will see them fall in the Zakat categories of Al-Fuqara, Ibn As-Sabil and Al- Masakeen.

The Australian government isn’t going to provide the Palestinians with housing, employment, food, medical services, money, child services and so forth. Literally, nothing! Therefore, who is going to provide for our Palestinian brothers and sisters, many of whom are mothers and widows, while they’re residing in Australia? In a collaborative approach, to fulfil the communal obligation, NZF will be partnering with various other Muslim organisations to provide support for the Palestinians.

Furthermore, NZF is going to support the Palestinians by implementing the Gaza Zakat Distributions Program, which falls under our established Beyond Borders program. It will come into full effect immediately with the permission of Allah (SWT).

The upside of being able to implement the Gaza Zakat Program immediately is that we don’t have to reinvent the wheel and create something from scratch, Alhamdulillah. Over the last 10 years, NZF has developed grassroots programs to respond effectively and immediately to unprecedented situations, like COVID-19.

The Beyond Borders program will assist the Palestinians with their settlement, providing initial financial assistance for essential and personal needs. This will also include ongoing essential monthly living expenses to ensure their basic needs are being met.

In addition, support will be provided that isn’t limited to the following: housing, employment services, counselling, education, medical support services, and much more, by the permission of Allah (SWT). This simply wouldn’t be achieved without generous donations from people who donate their Sadaqah and Zakat to NZF.

Sponsors of the families arriving can apply online in the link below or by calling 1300 663 729 upon the arrival of the sponsored individuals and families needing assistance. Applications will only require details regarding the family composition, ages of individuals, and sponsorship information. For more information visit: https://www.nzf.org.au/gaza