The Journey of life, its paths & destinations
I went for a walk in a nearby Valley Park. This comes after some emotional and thoughtful weeks after the sudden death of a university sister. I worked...
The Gaza Crisis, UK Mosques & Muslim Charities
The recent Gaza crisis has affected us all. Thousands of civilians have lost their lives in Gaza. The social media and news coverage of women, children and the vulnerable...
Bank Account Closures & UK Muslim Charities
The Nigel Farage’s bank account closure with a bank for the rich has hit a nerve for the Government and the media. The calling of the banking leaders...
Turkiye / Syria Earthquake, the Relief and Sanctions
The scenes of the earthquake rescue have been heart wrenching. With the coldest nights upon the effected, seeking shelter in the buildings that have survived, has become a challenge...
Businesses – A force for good, the Islamic concept
Often businesses are considered to be secular, money-making entities that have nothing to with religion or morality. Attributes such as cheating, tax avoidance, aggressive marketing, deception, and exploitation...
The Power and Art of Mediation
In the past two decades, I have been involved with many high profile mediation’s. This has become a key feature in many of my past and present engagements. ...
Important Lessons from Strawberry Picking
Strawberry picking is a fun day out for all ages. This outdoor activity has it all, sweet fresh berries, a walking exercise and a family fun activity of picking...
The question of control
Trustees often battle with this question with different answers and approaches. Often conflicts between trustees and management are underpinned by this predicament. Charities are set up by humans and...
Charity Leaders: Why personal conduct matters
The charity sector represents public benefit. Leaders of charity offices often preside over limited resources in the context of the job required of them. They also take decisions on...
Dua Financial Standards for (all size) Charities
During the past decade the number of Muslim charities raising funds has increased. Smaller charities have become large and larger charities have become more complex. As the size and...
The Nightmare of Reporting
As I woke up one day, the strangest event had occurred. Suddenly and permanently the requirement to report audited financials had been lifted and no longer required. Just like...
Charities and Banks – A difficult relationship
Banks are the most important stakeholder for charities with international operations. The relief they provide saves lives and protects dignity of beneficiaries in the most remote and desperate places...
Lets take a risk
Things can go wrong in many of the most well run organisations. As humans this shows our imperfections and limitations. In modern times and especially in the West as...
Succession – When is the best time to let go
Its hard to let go when you have grown an organisation, be it a business or a charity with personal sacrifice, commitment and / or investment Sometimes this question...
When assumptions don’t work
Those that run organisations are expected to make decisions. These can be trivial and some with significant long-term impacts. They are often presented with scenarios where they are required...
Islamic Finance, Mosques & Charities – the Missed Opportunity
This blog represents the well received presentation by the author, he gave as a guest at the launch of the Birmingham City University’s UK’s first Islamic Finance undergraduate degree...
Reading between the lines – Human Appeal Inquiry
The Charity Commission on the 28th October 2021 published its decision of its 3 ½ year long inquiry into Human Appeal. This was a comprehensive investigation that has had...
Webinar to simplify Covid19 Grants and Loans
Update on Q&A Bounce Bank Loans and Charities The condition for having more than 50% of the Business income from its trading activity does not apply to charities...
Webinar: Furlough is Changing from 1 July. Is your Mosque / Charity ready
Webinar Speakers Nasir Rafiq BA, FCA (Found Director @Dua Governance) Nasir is a widely experienced Chartered Accountant and an expert in Financial Governance. He has extensive experience of...
Basic Finance for Charity Trustees
Blood flow in the body is vital for a living and healthy human being. Finance in charities is like blood in the body. There is no charity activity...
Gift Aid for Mosques
During the Covid19 crisis Mosques suffered as they had to close and there was no Government support available. Despite this, many Mosques played a vital role. They managed...
Preparing budgets for Trustees
During the 1980s, the Rambo movies were the ultimate action movies. The pinnacle scene in all these movies was when John Rambo prepared for war. The music in the...
Governance – When it goes pear shaped
Dominic Cummings, the former senior strategy advisor to the then newly elected Prime Minster Boris Johnson was at the heart of government when the Covid 19 crisis folded and...
Accountability of Muslim charities – We talk to British Muslim TV (Sky 752)
“Accountability of Muslim Charities” – Nasir Rafiq talks to Mohammed Shafiq on BMTV Questions live during Ramadan 2021, Wednesday, 28 April 2021, 4pm. Nasir Rafiq is the Founder...
Gardening and International Relief – a strange relationship
Once, after weeks away, decided to cut the grass and bring some order in the garden. It was a jungle, an impossible task. This is how INGOs approach relief...
Stress testing of the 20 large Muslim charities in UK
Ramadan this year will be like no other Ramadan before it. The virus lockdown will mean that there will be no prayers in the Mosques or community iftars (opening...
The question of charity overheads
Donating is key part of faith and worship during the month of Ramadan. Each donation during this period represents, a prayer, an emotion, memory of a deceased loved one...
Govt support for the Self Employed
My initial thoughts on the support for the self-employed: 1. You are eligible only if your self-assessment profits were below £50k and there is monthly limit of £2,500...
The reality of Furlough employees and Government support
Everyone is talking about Furlough employees and the fact the Government will fund 80% of the salaries of such employees from 1 March 2020. Many think this Government...
Unity FM Radio station talks to Nasir Rafiq
Unity FM Radio host Ahmed Bostan talks to Nasir Rafiq, Director Dua Governance about the Covid19 lockdown impact on Muslim charities in UK.
Unity FM Radio: The role of Government COVID19 support in saving local Businesses and Charities
Nasir Rafiq, Director Dua Governance talks to the Drive time special on the role of Government support in saving local businesses and charities. He talks about how Waqf projects...
Unity FM Radio: Responding to Govt announcement on extending Furlough scheme to March 2021
Behind the Headlines Thursday 5 November 2020 Nasir Rafiq, Director Dua Governance Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors talks to Ahmed Bostan Presenter Unity FM Radio. Nasir responds...
Govt support for Businesses and Charities
This paper sets out my summary thoughts focused on mosques, charities and small businesses like gyms and tuition centres. Please contact Dua Governance (details below) if any further information...
The Camel and Muslim Charities – Risk Management
In a well-known saying Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) advised Muslims to tie their camels before placing trust in God for its protection. This concept has some very important lessons for...
Overheads in Charities – Good Governance
Overheads are support and administration costs that Charities incur in delivering their charitable objectives. In a small organisation this may be borne by Trustees with no impact on charity...
Islamic Schools the Untold Story of Governance
I recently visited an Islamic school that had not prepared its last 3 years of annual accounts. The Charity Commission had threatened to take them over, so in response...
The Barakah of Consultation (Shoora)
Consultation (Shoora) within Islamic tradition is a noble act and reflects the way of the Prophet (pbuh) and his companions (RA). Shoora should be an important aspect of Muslim...
Who Controls?
I work with Boards and the CEOs of many large charities and NGOs and I often come across this dilemma between Trustees and CEOs. I was once asked in...
Corona virus, UK Mosques and Financial impact
Mosques in UK play a vital role for the Muslim community. They open every day for the five daily prayers and for the evening school. They hold large gatherings...
Cleanliness and Good Governance
During the lockdown, as we spent more time at home, many of the home chores have become part of our routine. One routine, I always had even before the...
Let Your Numbers Talk
Good Governance requires charities to use good quality financial information for decision making and accountability. The year-end financial statements prepared by charities provide the following minimum benefits: An annual...
Islamic Schools the Untold Story of Governance
I recently visited an Islamic school that had not prepared its last 3 years of annual accounts. The Charity Commission had threatened to take them over, so in response...
UK Muslim INGO sector and its challenges – commentary on the ODI report
I have reviewed the HPG working paper on UK humanitarian aid in the age of counter-terrorism: perceptions and reality by the Oversees Development Institute (ODI). The paper sets out...
Leadership – a fashionable term often a misunderstood concept
In recent times, I had a taste of leadership where I led and directed large teams in challenging circumstances. Before this and in my professional capacity, I always...
Webinar: Discretionary Grants Online application
In this webinar hosted by Waqar Altaf, (Governance Manager), Nasir Rafiq talks through the online application process for discretionary grants at Birmingham City Council. He focuses on Mosque...
Unity FM Radio: Local Councils approach for making Covid19 support grants to Mosques
Lockdown Special Edition 4th June 2020, 5:30pm Unity FM presenter Ahmed Bostan talks to Nasir Rafiq (Chartered Accountant and Charity Finance Expert) about Birmingham City Councils approach towards...
Covid19 – Abysmal Government support to UK Mosques
Mosques are hard hit during the Covid19 lockdown crisis. All Mosques across all sects and cities adhered to the Government guidance immediately and shut their doors to daily worship....
Third Sector coverage of Ramadan lockdown and its impact on Muslim charities
https://www.thirdsector.co.uk/nasir-rafiq-ramadan-lockdown-poses-major-financial-risks-muslim-charities/fundraising/article/1681727
Corona virus, UK Mosques and Financial impact
Mosques in UK play a vital role for the Muslim community. They open every day for the five daily prayers and for the evening school. They hold large gatherings...
