Recognised for its global reach, timely intervention in Gaza, sustainable impact, and its embodiment of Islamic humanitarian values
Turkiye’s aid agency, the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), has been named the Global Humanitarian Organisation of the Year 2024/2025 by Muslim News Nigeria, in recognition of its unwavering commitment to global humanitarian response, particularly its exceptional relief efforts in Gaza amid the ongoing Israeli genocidal war in the besieged enclaves.
The announcement was made by the Publisher of Muslim News Nigeria and Convener of the Award, Rasheed Abubakar, on Saturday, December 6, 2025, as part of the annual #MNAwards, which honours outstanding Muslim professionals and institutions making positive impacts in their fields, often amid great adversity.
Abubakar stated that during the period under review, the Turkiye aid agency, established in 1992, has reached crisis-hit communities across the world, delivering critical aid, empowering vulnerable populations, and supporting long-term development.
He however noted that TIKA’s courageous and consistent work in Gaza during the two-year genocidal war has drawn global admiration and respect.
With its people-centered approach, TİKA continues to extend the friendship and solidarity of the Turkish nation to #Africa.
🇺🇬🇹🇷 TİKA has officially inaugurated a Fully Equipped Computer Lab for Persons with Visual Impairments at the Uganda National Association of the Blind. pic.twitter.com/EmPHpbr8dt
— TİKA (@tika_eng) October 27, 2025
According to him, “Amid heavy bombardments and complete blockade, TİKA delivered food packages, medicine, tents, blankets, and other essentials to displaced families in Gaza. Despite the dangers, the agency remained active on the ground, reaching communities cut off from aid and working to sustain life under siege.”
In addition to emergency aid, TİKA supported long-term recovery by distributing agricultural inputs to local farmers, assisting in rebuilding damaged infrastructure, and offering psychosocial support to survivors, especially women and children.
The Muslim News Nigeria Publisher highlighted some of the remarkable efforts of the agency in Gaza, particularly its long-standing commitment to supporting the Palestinian people through humanitarian and developmental projects, noting that, over the years, TİKA has constructed housing units, hospitals, and other vital infrastructure for the oppressed people of Gaza.
Abubakar said, “TİKA has not only been delivering food and emergency aid, it has physically built homes and hospitals in Gaza. These were not just structures. They were symbols of solidarity, care, and international support for Palestinians under siege.”
Unfortunately, many of these projects have been destroyed during Israel’s ongoing bombardment of Gaza, which escalated in October 2023. Abubakar cited, among others, the tragic destruction of the Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital, considered to be Gaza’s only cancer treatment centre, which was rendered inoperable after sustained Israeli airstrikes earlier this year. The hospital, which had been a lifeline for hundreds of cancer patients, was one of TİKA’s landmark projects in the region.
🇵🇸🇹🇷 President of TİKA, @abdullah_eren, hosted the Prosecutor General of Palestine, Akram Ismail Hassan Al-Khatib; Jamil Yousef Jamil Sahdieh, Head of the Office of International Crimes and International Judicial Cooperation at the Prosecutor General’s Office; the Palestinian… pic.twitter.com/rBE2VgZbgT
— TİKA (@tika_eng) December 3, 2025
Restoration of Masjid Al Aqsa and preservation of Palestinian heritage
TİKA has played a significant role in preserving and restoring the cultural and historical heritage of the Old City of Jerusalem, especially around Masjid Al Aqsa. Over the years, TİKA has carried out numerous restoration projects not only within Masjid Al Aqsa itself but also on many Palestinian houses and buildings surrounding the holy site. These restoration efforts are crucial in protecting the Palestinian identity and heritage in the Old City, which faces ongoing threats.
TİKA’s work includes repairing and reinforcing the ancient structures, restoring traditional architectural features, and maintaining the historic fabric of the area. These actions help preserve the cultural and religious significance of the site for Palestinians and Muslims worldwide.
Israel’s attempts to erase Palestinian heritage and alter the character of the Old City have made TİKA’s interventions even more important. By restoring Masjid Al Aqsa and nearby Palestinian homes, TİKA safeguards the identity and history of Palestinians in this contested area, standing as a vital defender of their heritage amid political and cultural pressures.
Collaboration in goodness
Abubakar further stated that TİKA has consistently worked alongside other Turkish humanitarian organisations to deliver lifesaving aid to the people of Gaza, even under the most challenging circumstances.
Despite Israeli restrictions on aid entry and frequent bombardments, TİKA together with other Turkiye aid agencies have continued to work tirelessly to ensure that food, medicine, and other essential supplies reach those in desperate need.
According to him, “At a time when many international organisations struggled to gain access, TİKA, alongside other Turkish NGOs such as IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation, Diyanet Foundation, and Red Crescent, among others, ensured that aid convoys were mobilised and reached Gaza, especially during the short-lived ceasefires.
“I still remember vividly when our medium published the news of some of their activities, and our readers kept asking, ‘How did they manage to do it despite Israel blocking critical aid from getting into Gaza?’ Their unwavering commitment in the face of extreme danger is one of the many reasons TIKA has been selected as our Global Humanitarian Organisation of the Year 2024/2025,” he said.
Abubakar further noted that the fear of TİKA’s growing humanitarian influence among Palestinians in Gaza and Jerusalem has not gone unnoticed by Israeli authorities.
It is no surprise that in late November 2025, Israel’s Diaspora Affairs Minister, Amichai Chikli, called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to outlaw TİKA. His call was reportedly based on the agency’s impactful activities in Palestinian territories, as well as the unwavering pro-Palestinian position of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, whom Chikli accused of backing Hamas. – Rasheed Abubakar
Special recognition for IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation
Abubakar also extended special recognition to the IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation for its steadfast dedication to the Palestinian cause, particularly in Gaza.
He said the IHH team has remained on the frontlines, delivering critical aid despite the immense dangers posed by the ongoing Israeli aggression. Their selflessness has come at a high cost, as several IHH staff members have been directly targeted and tragically killed by the occupation forces.
For instance, in late May 2025, five of IHH’s staff members were martyred in Israeli attacks on Gaza, while two others sustained serious injuries. May Allah forgive their shortcomings and grant them Al-Jannah Firdaus.
🇵🇸🇹🇷 President of TİKA, @abdullah_eren, hosted the Prosecutor General of Palestine, Akram Ismail Hassan Al-Khatib; Jamil Yousef Jamil Sahdieh, Head of the Office of International Crimes and International Judicial Cooperation at the Prosecutor General’s Office; the Palestinian… pic.twitter.com/rBE2VgZbgT
— TİKA (@tika_eng) December 3, 2025
TIKA’s life-saving humanitarian projects in over 50 countries
Beyond Gaza, The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has continued to play a vital role in global humanitarian efforts in over 150 countries, including conflict-hit areas in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Its operations have spanned education, healthcare, agriculture, water provision, and emergency relief, touching the lives of millions of people in need.
According to him, In Somalia, TİKA built the Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Training and Research Hospital in Mogadishu, one of the most advanced medical facilities in East Africa. The agency also provides regular medical equipment, training for health professionals, and mobile clinics to reach underserved communities.
In Niger, TİKA has drilled hundreds of boreholes to provide clean drinking water to rural villages. In Sudan and Chad, it has supported agricultural projects by distributing seeds, tools, and providing irrigation support to boost food security.
In Afghanistan, TİKA has rehabilitated schools, built vocational centres, and supported orphans through education and health initiatives. In Pakistan, following natural disasters like floods and earthquakes, the agency has been instrumental in providing emergency relief materials, temporary shelters, and rebuilding schools.
TİKA also partners with local institutions to deliver Ramadan food aid, Qurbani meat distributions during Eid al-Adha, and capacity-building programs across countries like Bangladesh, Indonesia, Lebanon, and Palestine, reinforcing its commitment to supporting vulnerable Muslim populations globally.
🇲🇳🇹🇷🥉 The Mongolian team took third place with their project providing walking support for children with cerebral palsy. The bronze trophy was presented to Khuslen Tugsjargal and Bat-Erdene Khatanbaatar by Ali Özgün Öztürk, Head of the Central Asia and Caucasus Department. pic.twitter.com/kWZGFURke8
— TİKA (@tika_eng) November 28, 2025
It’s not just an award, it’s a call to action
Abubakar stated that the Global Humanitarian Award being presented to TİKA is not just a recognition of its outstanding humanitarian efforts, but also a call to action. According to him, the honour serves as both appreciation and encouragement for the agency to raise the bar even higher in its service to humanity.
According to him, “This is not merely an award of recognition. It is an opportunity for TİKA to reflect on its incredible impact and be further inspired to do more. There are still many Muslim countries and underprivileged communities across the world, even in Nigeria, in desperate need of help. TİKA has shown it has the capacity, structure, and sincerity to reach them.”
He added that while the recognition comes from people, the ultimate reward lies with Allah. “We hope this award reminds them and others in the humanitarian field that the best reward is not from the world, but from the Almighty. So, let this serve as encouragement to do even more, with sincerity and steadfastness.”
Abubakar also praised the leadership and management of TİKA for their unwavering commitment to humanitarian service, especially during critical times. He specifically commended the President of Türkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, for providing TİKA with the necessary support and political will to carry out its lifesaving missions across the world.
According to Abubakar, “TİKA’s impact would not have been possible without the solid backing it receives from the Turkish government. We acknowledge and appreciate the visionary leadership of President Tayyip Erdoğan for empowering TİKA to serve not only the Turkish people but oppressed and underprivileged communities globally.”
Turkish doctors continue to bring healing to the African continent!
🇹🇷🇺🇬 In cooperation with #TİKA and @YYD_tr, a total of 115 medical examinations and 44 surgeries were successfully performed in Kampala, the capital of Uganda, with the efforts of volunteer doctors from Türkiye. pic.twitter.com/byQAKPu0fZ
— TİKA (@tika_eng) November 6, 2025
He added that the Muslim News Global Award is not just about recognition but about setting a standard. The organisers of the award called on other humanitarian organisations, local and international, to emulate TİKA’s fearless and selfless approach, especially in conflict zones where human suffering is often overlooked, politicised, or ignored entirely.
“It’s time humanitarian work is driven by sincerity, not politics or selective empathy,” Abubakar said, adding, “TİKA has proven that where there is will, there is a way, even in the most difficult and dangerous places like Gaza.”
Finalists for Nigerian Muslim Personalities of the Year (#MNAwards20242025)
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