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Project Rise

The Dawoodi Bohra community's Project Rise partner with Matuku LinkThe Melbourne community organised the event under the banner of Project Rise

Introduction

Project Rise is a Dawoodi Bohra initiative dedicated to uplifting the lives of individuals and communities around the world. Its vision is to help create a resilient and sustainable society, where no one is neglected or marginalised. 

Inspired by guidance of His Holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, Project Rise was launched in 2018.

Since then, it has expanded across continents and broadened its focus to include food and water security, women’s empowerment, environmental sustainability, education, and disaster relief. These priorities align closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, reflecting the community’s enduring commitment to global solidarity on challenges that transcend borders.

Volunteers around the world partner with local governments, organisations, and community organisations to respond to  local needs and support vulnerable communities with sustainability and long-term development.

Across Australia and New Zealand, Project Rise volunteers partner with civic groups, local councils, and national organisations to support vulnerable communities in a wide range of areas, including healthcare, food security, environmental conservation, sanitation, and education. 

“All of Creation is a family dependent upon Allah. Therefore the most beloved of Creation to Him is the one who benefits His family the most.”

- Prophet Mohammed

Our Regional Impact in 2025

Collaborating with food banks to combat hunger

Project Rise volunteers in Perth donated nearly 300 kg of food to Foodbank Western Australia. Every year during the holy month of Ramadan, the Adelaide community holds a food drive for OzHarvest, Australia’s leading food rescue organisation. Volunteers in Sydney and Melbourne each provided hot meals to 200 vulnerable people during Ramadan.

Cancer awareness campaign

With Australia facing some of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, the Dawoodi Bohra communities of Sydney and Melbourne hosted Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea for the fifth consecutive year to raise funds for Cancer Council Australia.

Community members raise funds for Koala Foundation

Koala populations in Australia have  suffered drastic decline due to habitat loss, disease, and climate change—estimate suggest a drop of more than 50% in the past twenty years. As part of ongoing efforts to help promote environmental sustainability, young volunteers from the Dawoodi Bohras of Melbourne raised funds for the Australian Koala Foundation by collectively walking 358 kilometres over two weeks. 

Read Our Annual Impact Reports

Annual Report 2025

Annual Report 2024

Annual Report 2023

Annual Report 2022

Annual Report 2021

Annual Report 2020

Environment
Food Security
Health
Water Sanitation
Education
Environment & Sustainability
Food & Nutrition
Healthcare & Well-Being
Water & Sanitation
Education

Environment & Sustainability

The challenges from climate change, pollution, and a decline in biodiversity are felt by communities across Australia and New Zealand. Project Rise aims to help communities meet national sustainability goals, while working towards a cleaner, greener environment by eliminating waste, reducing the carbon footprint, and caring for natural spaces. Volunteers engage in composting and recycling initiatives, community clean-ups, and environmental consciousness campaigns. By involving both the young and old, Project Rise hopes to train all individuals to become responsible custodians of the environment. 

Initiatives

Guardians of Nature's Gifts
  • Belief in responsible use of natural resources
  • Commitment to preserving for future generations
Burhani Foundation
  • Tree planting drives
  • Cleanup activities
  • Wildlife conservation efforts
Ocean Rescue Alliance
  • Joining forces with UN Champion Afroz Shah
  • Tackling plastic pollution in water bodies
Global Collaboration
  • Urgency for collective action against plastic pollution
  • Bohra community leading the way in environmental responsibility
Our Work
  • Avoiding single-use plastic and eliminating waste to reduce our carbon footprint.
  • Community clean-ups to maintain natural spaces.
  • Awareness campaigns to inculcate environmental responsibility amongst all generations.
Our Partners
  • Clean Up Australia
  • Blackburn Lake Sanctuary

The planting of trees is a most beneficial act for they lend beauty to the earth and bring about a downpour of Allah’s blessings.

- Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin

Food Security

Project Rise aims to address the challenge faced by thousands across Australia in accessing sufficient and nutritious food, while at the same time minimising food wastage from community gatherings. By providing hot meals to the homeless and underserved, partnering with food banks such as Ozharvest, we strive to ensure essential support reaches vulnerable groups.
Our Work
  • Community meal programs providing hot meals to those in need.
  • Food bank partnerships to provide essential groceries to struggling communities.
  • Emergency food relief in times of hunger and crisis.
Our Partners
  • Feed the Homeless Auckland
  • Community Care Refugee Program
  • Uniting
  • Outer East Foodshare
  • OzHarvest

A meal intended for one suffices two.

- Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq

Healthcare & Well-Being

Access to basic healthcare is a fundamental right and Project Rise volunteers strive to ensure that right is availed of by the most deserving sections. We regularly donate blood and partner with cancer prevention NGOs to raise funds for cancer awareness and treatment. More recently, we collaborated with Mental Health Australia to support the organisation tackle mental health challenges in nuanced settings, all the while retaining the dignity of the recipients.
Our Work
  • Informative programs regarding physical and mental well-being for all generations.
  • Blood donation drives to aid in medical treatment.
  • Cancer awareness and fundraising events to assist research, prevention, and treatment programs.
  • Holistic well-being initiatives.
Our Partners
  • Cancer Council
  • Mental Health Foundation Australia
  • Australian Red Cross Lifeblood

Allah has not sent down an ailment but he has sent down with it a cure.

- Prophet Mohammed

Water & Sanitation

The Prophet Mohammed ﷺ emphasises the importance to conserve and preserve all natural resources. Abiding by this tradition, Project Rise volunteers are committed to conserving water while exploring innovative avenues of utilising Earth’s water supply. This includes the undertaking of various projects to bring fresh water to rural areas by  installing hand pumps, practising rainwater harvesting and raising awareness to reduce wastage.
Our Work
  • Water conservation campaigns to promote sustainable water use.
  • Public awareness programs on hygiene and sanitation practices.
  • Clean-up efforts to address water pollution and contamination.
  • Support for local water access programs ensuring clean drinking water for all.
Our Partners

It is imperative to offer gratitude to Allah and not waste water,
 the Prophet Mohammed teaches us to conserve and preserve all natural resources

- Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin

Education

Education is a cornerstone of Dawoodi Bohra values and serves as a driving force behind numerous outreach initiatives aimed at improving access to learning in underserved communities. The pursuit of education is an important Islamic value with Prophet Mohammed ﷺ regarding it an obligation for every individual.  Guided by these principles, Project Rise undertakes a range of educational outreach efforts in deserving settings.  From providing essential school supplies in Mombasa, Kenya to collaborating with NGOs like Deepalaya in New Delhi, to support  early childhood care and development among migrant communities — we do our best, where we can and look forward to collaborating with like-minded organisations in the process.
Our Work
  • Providing infrastructure support to educational institutions in rural areas
  • Sponsoring digital literacy initiatives & scholarships for youth empowerment
  • Promoting education and empowerment for girls
  • Undertaking skill development workshops for women and youth
Our Partners

The pursuit of knowledge is obligatory upon every Muslim man and woman.

- The Prophet Mohammed

Stories of Impact

A news-article panel updated with recent links to articles Project-Rise related
The Dawoodi Bohras of Auckland support wetland restoration at Matuku Link
3 mins|June 1, 2026

The Dawoodi Bohras of Auckland support wetland restoration at Matuku Link

 Auckland community partners with Matuku Link for wetland restoration in New Zealand
3 mins|November 27, 2025

Auckland community partners with Matuku Link for wetland restoration in New Zealand

 Dawoodi Bohras of Australia continue supporting OzHarvest through nationwide food drive 
3 mins|September 24, 2025

Dawoodi Bohras of Australia continue supporting OzHarvest through nationwide food drive 

 The Dawoodi Bohras of Melbourne Step Up for Mental Health
2 mins|July 4, 2024

The Dawoodi Bohras of Melbourne Step Up for Mental Health

Testimonials


This partnership between the Dawoodi Bohras and the Morialta Uniting Church is a beautiful demonstration of interfaith connection. These groups look different, have different native languages, dress differently and practise quite different faiths, but they see the value in these differences and they have a special bond that I have had the privilege of witnessing several times. Despite these differences, they are firmly united in their dedication to serving others.

Claire Clutterham

MP


It’s truly inspiring to see the generosity of your community during the holy month of Ramadan. On behalf of the entire OzHarvest family, thank you for your incredible dedication to supporting those in need.

Julia Gove

National Partnerships Executive - OzHarvest
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