About Us

Educate, Empower, Enlighten

Our Story

Rahma (Mercy) was founded in the year 1999 in response to the plight of the refugees whom were fleeing from the war in Kosovo. We have since grown, from our humble beginning as a group of 12 volunteers setting out for a humanitarian mission via road in an Aid Convoy, to becoming a UK registered Charity that is supporting thousands of people throughout the Balkans.

Our Mission

We are currently providing aid and support to 5 different countries in the Balkans; Albania, Kosovo, Macedonia, Serbia and Bosnia. Alongside this we also assist the Highfields Community Food Bank in Leicester, a project that has been set up by our local MP and Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Jon Ashworth. We are dedicated to providing humanitarian services and educational opportunities to the less fortunate whatever their background.

In the coming years we aim to increase our income generation projects so the poor become self-reliant and can break out of the vicious cycle of poverty and dependence. We aim to strengthen communities by empowering them with a sound education that gives individuals the chance to acknowledge their self worth, potential and enables them to contribute to the needs of society within their capacity.

Our Vision

Our Staff

Imam Khalil Patel

Chief Executive Officer

The founding member and director of Rahma (Mercy), he also serves as the organisations spiritual leader. He has been with the charity since its inception in 1999 and is also the Head Imam of Masjid-ul-Imam-il-Bukhari in Leicester. He has dedicated his life to the charity and works tirelessly to meet the charity’s goals.

Imam Azhar Minhas

Operations Manager

Joined in 2010. He completed his further education in Islamic Studies at Darul Uloom Leicester and also graduated from the healthcare sector in 2015. He has spent extensive time in the field and along with managing operations in the UK, he also dedicates his time to ensure efficient delivery of our projects on the ground.

Hafiz Waseem Sumra

Administrative Assistant

Joined in 2017. He had previously worked for over 5 years in a management position within the charity sector. Along with this he has spent a considerable time within various administrative roles prior to joining us. Currently he is the Orphan Project Manager and is also part of the finance team.

Hafiz Subhaan Kazi

Administrative Assistant

Joined in 2009. He has been part of the administration team since he joined and has also spent two years managing projects in the field. He is an experienced member of the team and has been integral to the development and growth of the charity.

Zain Moti

Project and Fundraising Manager

Joined in 2020. He has been a volunteer since his early teens and has always been a passionate supporter of our cause. An active member that always brings a fresh perspective on how the charity can evolve positively in order to, not only meet, but to excel in our aims.

Imam Yusuf Khan

Head Shop Assistant | Batley

Joined in 2014. He has had a wealth of experience in sales and marketing before joining us. His loyalty and sincerity to our cause has been the driving force of the charity in the West Yorkshire region and he continues to be a valued member of our team.

Imam Abubaker Hikmatulla

Regional Fundraiser | London

Joined in 2019.

Tahir Khan

Shop Assistant | Batley

Joined in 2019.

Our Trustees

Abdulaziz Moti - Chair of Trustees

Mr Moti joined Rahma (Mercy) in 2005 as a trustee and has proved to be a valuable member of the senior team. Abdulaziz plays a pivotal role in helping the charity to maximise resources at the best value in order to achieve its objectives.

Salim Daud Valli

Mr Valli became a trustee in August 2015. He has been with Rahma (Mercy) since 1999 and became a volunteer in 2005. He is a dedicated member of the team and frequently visits the region to personally oversee the operations on the ground.

Abdul Raoof Kali

Mr Kali became a trustee in August 2015. He has been a great team member and has contributed towards Rahma (Mercy) tirelessly. He regularly visits our projects on the ground to supervise and ensure efficient delivery of projects.

Imam Imtiaz Mahetar

Imam Imtiaz is a graduate of Darul Uloom Leicester and has been involved with Rahma (Mercy) since. He became a trustee in April 2014. He is a valued companion and is ready to further the cause of the charity at every opportunity.

Mohammed Asif Vhora

Mr Vhora became a trustee in August 2015. Prior to this he was a volunteer since 2009. He provides a very strategic and corporate input into how the charity is run. He always looks to constructively improve our internal processes and management.

Imam Mahmood Sacha

Imam Mahmood became a trustee in 2018. Prior to this he was a passionate volunteer and has always been championing our cause in the West Yorkshire region where he has significant influence and following.

Our Partners

We work with several charities who aid us in carrying out our work

Affiliations and Memberships:

Testimonials

"The one who remembers the Almighty Creator among those who forget Him, is like a green leaf in the midst of dry ones."

We all know the history of Albania where majority of Muslims had lost their connection with their religion deen. Rahma (Mercy) has undertaken this initiative to make a difference there.

When I visited Albania I had the opportunity of visiting the remarkable institution (The Rahma Academy) that has been established and the land which the new Islamic centre (The Rahma Institute) will be built.

I pray to the Almighty creator that he gives Rahma (Mercy) the ability to continue with their good work and grant them an appropriate reward for the efforts they are doing. May the Almighty Creator take them from strength to strength. May He also give them all forms of success. I am honoured to be part of this initiative and I hope to further lend my hand in this initiative.

"The one who remembers the Almighty Creator among those who forget Him, is like a green leaf in the midst of dry ones."

Molana Ebrahim Bham

Secretary General

Jamiat Ulama South Africa

Albania: A trip that left me inspired!

The character that the Albanian Muslims displayed, their enthusiasm and sacrifice in pursuit of religious knowledge, their humility, zeal to practice on whatever they have learnt and selflessness despite constrained circumstances is a necessary reminder for those of us who may possess more knowledge and come from a background of stronger religious infrastructure but have forgotten these basic and core values of our Deen.

I was inspired by the dedication and professionalism with which the Rahma (Mercy) team serve the Deen in Albania. Their achievements and ongoing commitment is indeed commendable and worthy of emulation.

I have travelled to a number of countries for a variety of reasons, but hardly has a short trip to any country left me so touched, humbled and inspired. Their hospitality is indeed profound and their projects are pioneering in nature.

Shaykh Sulaimaan M.ravat

Presenter

Radio Islam International, South Africa

We would recommend them thoroughly!

The Almighty granted me the opportunity to experience this part of paradise on earth for myself in October 2016. I was totally taken aback by the natural beauty of this Balkan country. Mountains, rivers, streams, farms, forests and Masjid minarets everywhere to be seen. I was introduced to Rahma (Mercy) last year and was totally amazed to see the astounding work they are doing in Albania. They have adopted this country as their own and have given the poor children of Albania more than they would perhaps give their own children in terms of love, education, spirituality, financial aid and health.

The Rahma Academy is a state of the art masterpiece that vies with any modern-day school and caters for the schooling of hundreds of underprivileged children. I heard a young girl at the school saying “the teachers understand us”, rather than the cliché “we understand our teachers” which speaks a lot about the bond and care that exists.

The most enjoyable part of our trip was a special presentation held for us by the students of Rahma (Mercy). They gave speeches, sang nasheeds in several languages and exhibited their confidence in the most amazing way. Albania we are proud of you! Rahma (Mercy) students we are proud of you!

Mufti Zeeyad Ravat

Public Speaker

Pillars Of Guidance Community Centre

"I would like to request to everybody to support Rahma and its projects."

When I visited Albania last year, I was very happy to see the work Rahma is doing. This work is full of praise and blessings. I was amazed to see that with a small budget Rahma has managed so much including building a beautiful academy. I had the opportunity to visit orphans, listen to children recite Qur’an and for this I would like to congratulate the efforts of the Rahma team. Each member has his own exceptional but unique quality that makes the Rahma team so brilliant.