From Sparkbrook and Small Heath to Alum Rock and Washwood Heath, Birmingham’s Pakistani-heritage neighbourhoods have a long habit of giving. Collection tins appear at Friday prayers, and every Ramadan brings a wave of appeals. If you want a share of your zakat to reach families in Pakistan directly, this guide shows how to give to Peace and Humanity Welfare Organization (PHWO) from Birmingham.
Founded and run in Pakistan, PHWO keeps its one office in Larkana, Sindh. It has no Birmingham representative and does not take cash at mosques or events in the city. Gifts travel from your account to PHWO’s with nobody in between, and the families it serves are never charged.
Before you give: check any appeal
Birmingham donors see many appeals, and most are genuine. A few habits keep you safe with any of them: give through an organisation’s own website rather than a link forwarded on social media; never pay into an account that belongs to a collector; and be wary of pressure to give immediately. You will not find PHWO on a UK register: it is set up in Pakistan, and its transparency page explains where its registration there stands.
Sending money from Birmingham to PHWO
Use your bank’s international payment option and the PHWO account details on the Donate page. Choose Zakat, Sadaqah or a general donation first, so the gift is placed in the right fund. Pounds are converted to rupees by your bank, so ask about the exchange rate and any charges.
Goods are welcome too, but they are received only at the Larkana office, so for most Birmingham donors money is the simpler route.
Many Birmingham families have roots in Azad Kashmir
A large part of the city’s Pakistani community traces its roots to Mirpur and the wider Azad Jammu and Kashmir region. PHWO accepts requests from every part of Pakistan, including AJK, and applies the same checks wherever a family lives. A gift from Birmingham is not tied to any one district: Zakat goes to eligible people, and a general donation supports our programmes where the need is greatest.
Ways to help besides money
Not every contribution is cash. You can volunteer online as a fundraiser or a professional, sponsor a checked household through Sponsor a case, or offer equipment or other assets on Ways to give. Volunteers receive a certificate and a letter of appreciation.
Keep reading
Next, read our guides on how to send zakat to Pakistan, step by step and working out the nisab in your currency, or see every city and guide on the Donate to Pakistan from abroad page.
Want to give something other than money? Ways to give covers equipment, vehicles, waqf and legacies. If you know a family in Pakistan who needs help, they can request help online or ask for free legal aid, both free. You can check what PHWO publishes on transparency, and when you are ready, give through the Donate page.
Further reading and independent checks
These independent sources can help you check the facts for yourself. PHWO is not connected with them, and linking to them does not mean they endorse PHWO.
Useful links for donors in Birmingham
- GOV.UK: find information about a charityHow to check a charity anywhere in the UK
These are public or independent services, listed to help you give safely. They are not part of PHWO.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a PHWO collection point in Birmingham?
No. PHWO has no collection point, office or agent in Birmingham. Give only from your own bank to the details on the Donate page.
Will HMRC give tax relief on my gift?
No. HMRC relief and Gift Aid only cover UK charities, and PHWO is a Pakistani organisation. A gift to PHWO is therefore not tax-deductible in the UK.
Can my zakat go to a family in Azad Kashmir?
PHWO accepts requests from all of Pakistan including AJK, and Zakat goes only to eligible people whose need has been checked. You cannot choose a named stranger, but you can sponsor a checked case.
How do I know my transfer arrived?
Upload the confirmation or write the reference on the Donate page. Once it is matched with the bank record, a numbered receipt is emailed to you.
Can I give goods from Birmingham?
Goods are received only at the Larkana office in Pakistan. Tell PHWO what you have through the Donate page before sending anything.