Islamic Relief has been invited to join the British Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC). The invitation came after lengthy discussions between Islamic Relief and the DEC and is a further endorsement of the humanitarian work carried out by Islamic Relief in the field.

DEC is an umbrella organisation of 12 charities which launches a national fundraising appeal in the UK in response to major disasters. The DEC enables the British public to support aid agencies like Islamic Relief as they respond to overseas emergencies.

The latest DEC fundraising appeal for the Tsunami disaster in South East Asia raised a massive £300 million.

In a letter to the President of Islamic Relief, Dr Hany El Banna, DEC Chairman, David Glencross, said he looked forward to “benefiting from the insights and contributions … Islamic Relief would make to the life and effectiveness of the Disasters Emergency Committee."

“We are delighted to accept the DEC invitation,” said Dr El Banna, “and pray that we can further develop our links with British aid agencies for the benefit of all those affected by disasters around the world.” He went on to say that “we are a British Muslim organisation and it is welcome recognition of our credentials as humanitarians coming, as it does, at a time when the world community needs to see that Muslims and non-Muslims can come together for a common purpose."

The DEC is made up of 12 UK charities: Action Aid, Oxfam, Christian Aid, Concern, Care, CAFOD, Tearfund, World Vision, Save the Children, Merlin, Help the Aged and the Red Cross. Islamic Relief will become the latest member of the Committee.