The Permanent Representative of the State of Palestine to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Discusses with (UNA) the Dissemination of the Fatwa Allowing Zakat to Support UNRWA

SadaNews - The Permanent Representative of the State of Palestine to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Ambassador Hadi Shibli, met today, Sunday, January 18, 2026, with the Director-General of the Union of News Agencies of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (UNA), Mohammed Abdel Rabah Al-Yami, at the Union's headquarters in Jeddah.

During the meeting, they discussed and followed up on the fatwa issued by the International Islamic Fiqh Academy, which allows Muslims to direct their zakat funds to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), due to the significant religious and humanitarian importance of this fatwa in supporting the agency and enabling it to continue its vital role in serving Palestinian refugees.

Ambassador Shibli requested the Director-General of (UNA) to disseminate this fatwa through a press statement, which would help convey its content to the widest possible audience through news agencies in member states and highlight the role of Islamic institutions in supporting the Palestinian cause and the rights of refugees.

This request was welcomed by the Director-General, who informed the ambassador that the Union of News Agencies of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation is in the process of organizing a virtual seminar that includes all member news agencies, with the participation of Dr. Ahmed Abu Holi, the head of the Department of Refugee Affairs in the Palestine Liberation Organization, to discuss the situation of Palestinian refugees and the challenges they face under current circumstances.

The meeting concluded with an agreement to form a joint task force that includes representatives from the Palestinian Mission, the International Islamic Fiqh Academy, the Union of News Agencies of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (UNA), the General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the host country, which will discuss the executive steps, explore follow-up mechanisms, and organize and arrange various activities and proposals that have been agreed upon, after consulting with the host country (the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) to ensure proper preparation, coordination, and achievement of the desired objectives.
The meeting was attended by Senior Advisor Naseem Al-Zaanin and Second Secretary A'thar Amri.