His Excellency Sheikh Thani Bin Abdullah Bin Thani Al-Thani

In April 2019, H.E. Sheikh Thani Bin Abdullah Bin Thani Al-Thani contributed more than $35 million in support of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh and displaced Yemenis in the form of Zakat through UNHCR. This was the largest contribution UNHCR has ever received from an individual donor and the first major Zakat contribution of its kind. Approximately one million Rohingya refugees and Yemeni IDPs, returnees and members of the host community were supported through His Excellency’s generous contribution. This was in the form of multi-purpose cash assistance and cash for shelter as well as support for health, nutrition and shelter in Bangladesh.

His Excellency’s previous work with fundraising initiatives and worldwide contributions is a testament to his commitment to help relieve the suffering of those forcibly displaced. H.E. Sheikh Thani has supported UNHCR’s programmes since 2015 in Iraq, Ethiopia, Somalia, Bangladesh and Jordan with some USD 4 million. 

H.E. Sheikh Thani Bin Abdullah Al Thani is the Founder of Ezdan Holding Group, one of the largest investment holding groups in the MENA region. It is engaged through its subsidiaries and affiliated companies in several activities including real estate management, construction and design, healthcare services and products, as well as, manufacturing of basic materials and industrial products. He has contributed to the development of a large segment of the real estate sector in Qatar. His Excellency has also made great contributions in various fields, including, social, health, commercial and the economic sector. He is also most notably, the leader of Islamic banking in Qatar.

In 2020, more than US$43 million, was  channeled through four separate agreements, to fund UNHCR’s work in support of refugees and displaced people in Yemen, Lebanon, Bangladesh and Chad. This year’s donation is the largest ever individual contribution to UNHCR.