The founder of Islamic Relief. The founder and president of the largest Western-based international Muslim relief development, Islamic Relief, Dr El-Banna's mission is to help people in need. Islamic Relief was established in 1984 in Birmingham, England, after Dr. El-Banna, a pathologist by education, visited refugee camps in Sudan while attending a medical conference. Today, Islamic Relief have an annual income of over £80m and branches in 35 countries. It engages in both emergency and long-term projects, which include the distribution of food and other essentials for survival in the aftermath of disaster. The organisation also supports educational and health development, as well as undertaking clean water and sanitation projects. It takes a holistic approach to helping communities by, for example, providing interest-free business loans to create job opportunities. Dr. El-Banna was awarded an Order of the British Empire (OBE), by the Queen, in 2004, for his work. He was also awarded (2007) an honorary doctorate from the University of Birmingham in recognition of Islamic Relief's worldwide aid work.