In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate

During this blessed month of Ramadan, it is unfortunate that claims about United Mission for Relief and Development (UMR) have been circulated publicly without verification or any attempt to seek clarification.

Allah سبحانه وتعالى reminds us in the Qur’an:

“O you who believe, if a wicked person comes to you with news, verify it, lest you harm people in ignorance and then become regretful for what you have done.”
(Qur’an 49:6)

Several statements in the circulated piece are factually incorrect and misleading. The compensation figure attributed to UMR’s CEO is false and does not reflect the actual official salary.

UMR operates under strict financial oversight and transparency. The organization maintains two qualified accounting teams, works with an independent CPA firm, and undergoes regular audits by a certified external auditor, while complying with all U.S. nonprofit regulations and IRS reporting requirements, including annual Form 990 filings. (Financial & Annual Reports)

For transparency, our audited financial statements and IRS filings for the past ten years are publicly available online, along with our Zakat policy. It is important to clarify that Zakat collections represent less than 1% of our total donations and carry 0% administrative or operational fees, ensuring these funds reach those for whom they are intended.

UMR also maintains religious scholarly guidance to ensure Zakat is managed in accordance with Islamic principles.

All in-kind donations, including medicines, medical equipment, and medical supplies, are evaluated by independent professional bodies and reviewed under strict auditing standards.

It is also important to understand that in humanitarian health work, cash and in-kind assistance cannot be separated in the simplistic way some critics suggest. Cash resources are often used strategically to procure, transport, certify, and deliver in-kind medical support. When managed responsibly, a single dollar used wisely can leverage tens or even hundreds of dollars in credible humanitarian impact, allowing vital medicines, equipment, and supplies to reach those who need them most.

In addition, UMR works with partners to procure and, when appropriate, manufacture essential medicines and medical supplies tailored to the needs of specific regions and communities—a standard humanitarian practice followed by many American charities working in global health.

Through responsible stewardship, UMR has used its limited cash resources to leverage large-scale in-kind medical contributions, supporting clinics, hospitals, and mobile medical programs serving vulnerable populations, including pregnant women and children in remote regions of Africa and other underserved areas around the world. In addition to these health initiatives, UMR also responds to disasters and humanitarian crises globally through emergency relief programs, including efforts in the field of emergency education, helping ensure that children affected by conflict, displacement, and disasters continue to have access to learning and protection during times of crisis.

UMR remains committed to transparency, accountability, and serving those most in need. We encourage our community to rely on verified information and responsible dialogue rather than speculation or unfounded allegations.

For any further clarification or additional information, we welcome you to reach out to us directly or visit our website at UMRelief.org, where you can learn more about the impactful humanitarian work UMR continues to carry out around the world.

May Allah guide us all to uphold truth, fairness, and integrity.