How to Observe International Day of Charity

There’s no greater joy than giving — and the international day of charity is the perfect occasion to follow through on such philanthropy.

Observed every year on September 5, the day highlights how generosity can trigger positive change. It also serves as a reminder to individuals and organizations of the power of our charitable efforts in empowering marginalized communities, combatting poverty, and alleviating suffering across the world. 

This international day of charity, learn more about how you can contribute, and the role organizations like the Islamic Medical Association of North America (IMANA) play in boosting these efforts. 

Why September 5?

The UN declared September 5 as the international day of charity in 2012 after a similar declaration was made in Hungary the year prior. The date was chosen to commemorate the passing of Mother Theresa of Calcutta, a Nobel laureate and renowned philanthropist with a long history of helping the destitute and needy. 

Mother Theresa was born in 1910 in what is today North Macedonia. She went by the name Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu. From a young age, however, the nun and missionary realized that her true mission lay outside the Ottoman Empire. At the young age of 18, she moved to India, where she devoted herself to charitable efforts.

Later, she established the Missionaries of Charity, an organization that — much like IMANA — adopted a faith-inspired approach to humanitarian efforts. That organization expanded, serving destitute populations across borders. 

When she died on September 5 in 1997, she left behind a rich legacy across hospices and care homes in multiple countries. She was also recognized with several distinctions, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979.  In the hope that her story would inspire similar efforts across the globe, the United Nations declared the anniversary of her death as the international day of charity. 

Giving in 2025 

A lot has changed since Mother Theresa traversed the globe to boost humanitarian efforts. The challenges are similar to what they were a century ago, considering conflict, poverty, natural disasters, and hunger are perennial challenges. What has changed, however, is the method of giving back.

Today’s charities are fortunate to have access to: 

Social media driven efforts

The rise of social media has allowed charitable organizations to raise the plight of the marginalized more effectively. News from Gaza, for instance, has reached the far corners of the world — allowing individuals to contribute as much from Austria as they do from Australia. 

At the same time, social media has allowed charitable organizations to be creative with their approach to giving. Anyone who was around in 2014, for instance, may remember the ice bucket challenge — a novel approach to raising funds for the treatment of the fatal nervous system disease ALS.

Ethics and accountability

Today’s organizations are held to strict standards of transparency. No longer do you have to donate your hard earned money to an unknown organization and hope for the best. Thanks to the internet, you can weigh your options carefully, understand where your funds are being diverted, and fund causes you care most about. 

Thanks to globalization, you no longer have to make your way halfway across the world to inspire real change. Instead, you can do so from the comfort of your home. 

What Needs Your Attention?

One of the major drawbacks of unlimited internet access is that it’s hard to figure out which causes most deserve your attention. Every corner highlights a new problem — contributing to earthquake relief victims in one corner of the world is just as important as donating to doctors carrying out relief efforts in conflict zones. In 2025, however, it’s worth focusing efforts on: 

Providing aid to conflict-ridden zones

Global geopolitics is rarely incident free, but even by these standards, 2025 has been a rough year. Ongoing conflicts in Sudan, Yemen, Gaza, and Ukraine — to name just a few — have left thousands of people with no one to rely on. On this international day of charity, you can do your bit by supporting organizations that provide aid and medical relief to these communities. IMANA’s Gaza program, for example, has been instrumental in providing medical relief to a region on the brink of disaster. 

Offering relief for climate catastrophes 

Climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our time — but it’s only the beginning. Earthquakes, floods, droughts, and other climate catastrophes have left millions of people globally homeless and hungry. In the coming years, the frequency of these events is expected to rise, requiring urgent attention. 

Ending poverty and hunger 

The world has come a long way in helping feed marginalized populations — but the scourge of global hunger is far from being eradicated. Instead, the World Health Organization estimates that 733 million people go hungry every day. That’s one in every 11 humans. Fortunately, there is more than enough food to feed everyone. However, getting the right food to the right regions requires a concerted effort by philanthropic organizations, individuals, and governments. 

How You Can Contribute 

Given the task at hand, it can be overwhelming starting out on your personal journey for driving change. Not everyone can simply start a viral campaign, or traverse across continents like Mother Theresa to directly feed starving populations. Instead, this year, you can help by carrying out a mix of these activities: 

• Donate: Money speaks louder than words — and donating is the only way to bridge the gap between the haves and the have-nots. 
• Volunteer: Even if you can’t contribute financially, you can always drive change with your own hands. Sign up as a volunteer with a local organization to make an impact. 
• Attend: Every September 5th organizations and religious institutions set up events to encourage charity and raise awareness. Join in on a cause that means the most to you. 

At the end of the day, it’s important to understand that the world can be a better place with our support. This is one of the guiding principals at the Islamic Medical Association of North America. Our team of volunteers and medical professionals provides medical relief to marginalized communities across conflict ridden zones. We also contribute with aid packages, with the aim of alleviating poverty and suffering. If you can, consider supporting us with a small donation. Alternatively, simply share this message and we can build a better world together.