Masha’Allah, we’ve just held our annual Lifesaver awards and this year has been as big as ever! Here at Islamic Relief, we like to celebrate the dedication and achievement of our volunteers.
With that in mind, we spoke to one our dedicated volunteers and co-organisers – fellow volunteer Muriam Bi – on her experiences with Islamic Relief. Here’s her story with IRUK!
From career break to career change
I first started volunteering for Islamic Relief as a confused 26-year-old from Bradford on a career break. Little did I know that over a year later I would be an incredibly proud 28-year-old about to embark on an exciting journey to becoming a humanitarian aid worker!
I was looking for a greater purpose in life. I could no longer turn a blind eye to the suffering around the world. I asked myself what greater purpose is there than serving humanity and relieving the pain of those less fortunate than ourselves?
So, I signed up to the Islamic Relief challenge to climb the Yorkshire three peaks. The experience encouraged me to continue volunteering and from then onwards there was no going back! I started participating in fundraising and campaigning work and joined the exciting AimIR volunteer leadership program.
Aim high, AimIR
Being part of AimIR has been an amazingly enriching experience. I have gained so much more than I expected. From team building to public speaking and event planning – the program has built my self-confidence and was the perfect opportunity for me to expand my skills and meet new people, encouraging me to step outside of my comfort zone. AimIR has ignited a passion within me to want to continue to educate and develop myself further in order to be able to contribute positively towards the local and global community.
On top of AimIR, I’ve also been privileged to be able to help organise this year’s Life Saver Awards ceremony along with my fellow AimIR colleagues. Having attended the ceremony last year I wanted this year to be just as special – if not more.
Held in Manchester, the atmosphere was captivating and we all felt a strong sense of achievement and togetherness. My highlight of the night was an emotional yet inspiring speech delivered by the founder of Islamic Relief, Dr Hany El Banna. Dr. Hany has had a profound impact in the humanitarian sector and has been a tremendous influence in my life. He reminded us that every day we should strive to help humanity.
Making volunteering count
For me, Islamic Relief is more than just a charity – it’s an organisation that inspires, invests, and invigorates not only the people it seeks to serve but its donors, staff, and volunteers alike around the world.
Volunteering is important because it is a responsibility as human beings to help one another, to strive to be an example to other people, inspiring them to help make the world a better place. Volunteering opens doors to amazing career opportunities but most importantly: it opens our hearts.
Thank you Muriam Bi and all of our lovely volunteers for your enthusiasm, passion and dedication!