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History

 

“In an era where, all too often, Muslims are depicted in a negative light – usually due to unresolved geopolitical conflicts and extremist elements within – it is critical to have a joint forum and a common voice that safeguards and promotes Muslim benevolence.  Further, in the wake of increasing natural and man-made calamities, the need arose for an intense and determined action to better address these crises through collaborations that goes beyond the lines of faith, race and geography”.   

This calling motivated a small number of dedicated individuals to form the World Congress of Muslim Philanthropists, a pioneer effort of making Muslim giving more efficient and strategic. The idea was first introduced by a Chicago based physician, Tariq H. Cheema, in the beginning of 2006. Next to join the effort were South Carolina physician Dr. Imtiaz Khan, Nonprofit Empowerment Group's President Angela Massey, and many dedicated volunteers from around the world. 

WCMP’s transformation into a vibrant global organization was made possible by the kind patronage of H.E. Dr. Sheikha Aisha bint Faleh Al-Thani of Qatar, and by pro-bono and subsidized professional support from the Nonprofit Empowerment Group. The World Congress of Muslim Philanthropists initiative was inaugurated in Istanbul on March 23, 2008 by Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan, H.E. Sheikha Al Mayassa Bint Hamad Al-Thani of Qatar and OIC Secretary General Prof. Dr. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu. 

The 1st Congress brought together over (200) philanthropists, leading grantmaking foundations, government and business leaders, experts, and practitioners from (31) countries.

The first core group meeting was held on the sidelines of the 1st World Congress to discuss the vision and objectives of the nascent network of Muslim Philanthropists. The meeting was attended by the representatives of (30) leading philanthropic entities from the Muslim world including:

  • Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)
  • Islamic Development Bank Group, Office of Special Assistance
  • The Office of H. H. Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al Missned
  • Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation 
  • Qatar Authority for Charitable Activities
  • Awqaf South Africa
  • Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs of Bahrain
  • DFID

 

The second core group meeting was convened at DIFID headquarters in London, in the summer of 2008 to discuss the strategic framework of World Congress of Muslim Philanthropists. The second meeting had additional participation from King Khalid Foundation, Gaddafi International Foundation for International Development, and the Office of Her Majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdullah. 

In 2009, WCMP was granted tax-exempt status by the Internal Revenue Service of the United States. The Board of Patrons was also established in the same year. While administrative work remained the responsibility of Nonprofit Empowerment Group, an ad-hoc steering committee comprised of volunteers continued to manage the organizational affairs on annual basis between 2007 and 2011. The formal board of directors was installed in the fall of 2011.

Steering Committee 2007

Muneer Aliuddin, Tariq Cheema, Imtiaz Khan, Nazia Khan, Faisal Khan, Angela Massey

Steering Committee 2008

Rasheed Ahmed, Ayse Bohurler, Harun Cansiz, Tariq Cheema, Adem Elbasi, Ibrahim Elbasi, Ahmed ElHattab, Heather Laird-Jackson, Imtiaz Khan, Qasim Khan, Angela Massey, Merva Orhan 

Steering Committee 2009

Tipu Ahmad, Rasheed Ahmed, Najah Bazzy, Waseem Anwar, Harun Cansiz, Tariq Cheema, Ahmed ElHattab, Mohamed Elsanousi, Imtiaz Khan, Angela Massey, Humayun Qadeer, Tasneem Qadeer, Nayeem Qureshi, Saafir Rabb, Saleem Rahat, Ahmed Tutunji 

Steering Committee 2010

Saleemah Abdul-Ghafur, Tipu Ahmad, Rasheed Ahmed, Waseem Anwar, Nadeem Bajwa, Harun Cansiz, Tariq Cheema, Atef Dalgamoni, Ahmed ElHattab, Mohamed Elsanousi, Michael Gassner, Imtiaz Khan, Wasif Khan, Angela Massey, Amin Noor, Tasneem Qadeer, Nayeem Qureshi, Saleem Rahat, Asma Siddiki, Farouk Soueid

Steering Committee 2011

Saleemah Abdul-Ghafur, Mavara Agha, Tipu Ahmad, Rasheed Ahmed, Xhengis Aliu, Waseem Anwar, Harun Cansiz, Tariq Cheema, Atef Dalgamoni, Manal Elattir, Ahmed ElHattab, Mohamed Elsanousi, Ainaz Faizrakhman, Michael Gassner, Imtiaz Khan, Wasif Khan, Amin Noor, Sigit Pramono, Humayun Qadeer, Nayeem Qureshi, Saleem Rahat, Lori Ramos, Taleb Salhab, Tahir Salie, Hasan Sharif, Asma Siddiki, Zain Syed, Ahmed Yanouri