WaterAid is marking Ramadan 2021 with a zakat appeal asking Muslims to help provide clean water for parts of Bangladesh, Pakistan and Mali.

In conjunction with Islamic faith experts, the international charity designed the appeal in accordance with the tenets of zakat.

Muslims can select which of the international charity’s nominated countries to support, secure in the knowledge that every penny they donate will go directly to those in need.

“We’re delighted to launch our zakat appeal this Ramadan, enabling the Muslim community to help transform lives around the world with clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene through projects that meet zakat requirements,” said Marcus Missen, director of communications and fundraising at WaterAid.

“Gaining access to these basic human rights can provide the first step out of poverty, improving health, education and livelihoods for whole communities, and helping build resilience against our changing climate.”

One in five schools in Bangladesh has no access to clean water or suitable toilets and washing facilities.

Climate change has hit Pakistan harder than most countries and pervasive droughts make finding clean water a challenge.

Mali is one of the world’s poorest and hottest countries. Sixty per cent of its population doesn’t have access to adequate toilets and four million people are without access to clean water.

For those wishing to donate £10,000 ($13,800) or more to the zakat appeal, WaterAid said it can be done within the permitted boundaries.

Zakat is one of the five pillars of Islam and requires every adult Muslim with enough savings to donate 2.5 per cent to specific good causes.

In the UK, young Muslims are flocking to zakat during Ramadan. John Canady, chief of the National Philanthropic Trust UK, believes “there has never been a more exciting time for philanthropy based on Islamic principles”.