The story of Ali Banat & MATW Project

One life. One decision. A legacy that continues.

When Ali Banat was told his life could soon come to an end, he made a decision that would transform the lives of people around the world. From that decision, Muslims Around The World Project was born.

Continue Ali's legacy Read his story

Chapter 01 — A life of success

Who was Ali Banat?

Ali Banat, founder of MATW Project
Ali Banat (1982–2018), founder of Muslims Around The World Project

Before his diagnosis, Ali Banat was a successful businessman living in Sydney, Australia. He had worked hard to build a comfortable life and enjoyed many of the things commonly associated with achievement — businesses, luxury vehicles, designer clothing and material security.

From the outside, it looked like success.

But in 2015, Ali received news that would change the direction of his life: a diagnosis of an aggressive form of cancer, and the possibility that his time was limited. The value of everything around him changed. The question was no longer how much he could accumulate.

“What can I send ahead for my Akhirah?”

Ali understood that wealth was an Amanah. Time was an Amanah. Health was an Amanah. And whatever remained of his life was an opportunity to seek the pleasure of Allah.

He began giving away possessions that had once been important to him. He stepped away from the life he had known and focused his attention on people who had far less. He did not know how much time he had left — but he knew how he wanted to use it.

Chapter 02 — The turning point

He called it a gift

For many people, such a diagnosis would represent only fear, pain and uncertainty. For Ali, it became an awakening. He described his diagnosis as being “gifted with cancer” — not because the illness was easy, but because it awakened him before it was too late.

His message was not that illness should be desired. It was that Allah can place an awakening inside even the most difficult test. Cancer forced him to confront a truth that applies to every one of us: this life is temporary, our possessions will remain behind — but the good we do for the sake of Allah can continue long after we leave this world.

His illness did not take away his purpose. By the mercy of Allah, it revealed it.

Chapter 03 — From reflection to action

He travelled to Togo — and could not look away

Ali's transformation was not limited to words. He wanted to act. He travelled to Togo in West Africa, where he witnessed communities living without many of the things most of us take for granted: families facing poverty, children without education or proper care, communities struggling to access clean water, and Muslims without a safe, dignified place to pray.

The experience moved him deeply. It showed him that even one person, with sincere intention and determined action, could help transform the future of an entire community.

  • Care for an orphan

    Children who had lost everything received food, protection and education.

  • Provide clean water

    Wells brought safe water for drinking, cooking, washing and Wudu.

  • Build a place of worship

    A masjid where a community could pray, learn and gather.

Those first acts of service became the foundations of something much greater.

Chapter 04 — The birth of MATW

A mission for Muslims around the world

Ali founded Muslims Around The World Project with a clear purpose: to serve vulnerable people, strengthen communities and give others the opportunity to invest in their Hereafter.

MATW was not created to be a monument to one man. It was created to help people — to turn compassion into action, and to bring together Muslims from around the world behind projects that create immediate relief and lasting change.

Ali knew he could not complete this mission alone. So he invited the Ummah to join him. People watched his story and saw a man facing the end of his life not with bitterness, but with urgency, gratitude and concern for others. They donated. They shared his message. And what started as one man's deeply personal mission became a movement.

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Chapter 05 — His final wish

A reminder for those of us who remain

As Ali's health declined, his concern remained focused on the mission. He wanted the work to continue. He encouraged people to have a goal, develop a plan, and support a project that could benefit others — and reminded those unable to carry out a project themselves that they could still help make one possible.

His final message was not centred on what he had lost. It was centred on what the rest of us could still do.

  • Do not wait.
  • Do not assume you have more time.
  • Do not underestimate what Allah can place in a sincere act of charity.
  • Leave behind something that continues to serve others after you are gone.

Chapter 06 — The legacy lives on

Ali returned to Allah. His mission did not stop.

Ali Banat passed away in May 2018. But the projects he began continued. The wells continued to provide water. The masjids continued to welcome worshippers. The children continued to receive care. And the people inspired by his story continued to give.

This is the beauty of Sadaqah Jariyah. A person may leave this world, but the reward of their good deeds may continue to reach them — every prayer offered in a masjid they helped build, every sip taken from a well they helped provide, every child educated or cared for because of their generosity, every person inspired to do good because of their example.

A legacy is not measured by how long we live. It is measured by what we leave behind.

Chapter 07 — Ten years of impact

From one mission to a decade of service

What began with an orphan, a water well and a masjid in Togo has grown into an international humanitarian organisation — responding wherever poverty, conflict, disaster and displacement leave families in urgent need. The scale has grown. The purpose has not: to serve for the sake of Allah, honour the Amanah of every donor, and help people with dignity.

  1. 2015

    The diagnosis

    Ali is diagnosed with an aggressive cancer — and calls it a gift. He begins giving his wealth away.

  2. 2015–16

    Togo, and the birth of MATW

    Ali travels to West Africa and founds Muslims Around The World Project: orphan care, water and a masjid.

  3. 2018

    Ali returns to Allah

    Ali passes away in May 2018. The projects he began keep serving — and his story keeps spreading.

  4. 2018–24

    A movement grows

    MATW expands into emergency relief, food and water aid, Zakat distribution, healthcare and education across many countries.

  5. Today

    The legacy is still growing

    Donors, volunteers, field teams and communities around the world continue what one man began.

0Orphans under ongoing care
0Water wells built
HundredsMasjids constructed
MillionsMeals & food items distributed

Figures reflect the working copy for this page. Confirm MATW's latest verified cumulative figures before launch.

Explore MATW's impact See MATW live on the field

Chapter 08 — Continue the legacy

What will you leave behind?

Ali's story was never intended to end with Ali. It was intended to awaken something in the rest of us. You do not need to be wealthy to make a difference. You do not need to fund an entire project alone. You do not need to wait until you feel ready.

Your act may feel small to you. But when it is sincere and accepted by Allah, its reward can be greater than you imagine.

You can give on behalf of someone you love, or in memory of someone who has returned to Allah.
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Trust

A legacy built on Amanah

Every donation is more than a transaction. It represents someone's intention, someone's sacrifice, someone's hope that Allah will accept their charity. MATW understands that this trust is an Amanah — and the principles that guided Ali's original mission continue to shape how donations are handled, projects are delivered and impact is reported.

  • 100% donation policy
  • Field monitoring & completion updates
  • Annual impact reporting
  • Respect for donor intentions
  • Dignified treatment of beneficiaries
  • Careful, responsible project selection
Read the 100% donation policy View impact reports

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Frequently asked questions

Who was Ali Banat?

Ali Banat was an Australian Muslim businessman and humanitarian who founded Muslims Around The World Project. After being diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer in 2015, he reassessed his life and dedicated his time and wealth to helping people in need. His story became widely known through the “Gifted with Cancer” interview. Ali passed away in 2018, but the organisation and mission he began continue today.

What did Ali Banat mean by “Gifted with Cancer”?

Ali described his diagnosis as a gift because it changed the way he viewed his life — helping him recognise that material possessions were temporary and that his remaining time could be used to seek the pleasure of Allah and help others. He did not mean the illness was easy; he saw the awakening it created as a mercy and an opportunity to prepare for the Hereafter.

How did Ali Banat start MATW Project?

After his diagnosis, Ali travelled to Togo in West Africa and witnessed communities facing poverty, water scarcity and a lack of essential services. He began supporting orphan care, water wells and masjid construction — projects that became the foundation of Muslims Around The World Project.

What does MATW stand for?

MATW stands for Muslims Around The World — a name reflecting Ali's vision of uniting Muslims from different communities and countries behind meaningful humanitarian work.

Is MATW still continuing Ali Banat's work?
How can I continue Ali Banat's legacy?
Can I donate in memory of someone?

Yes. Many supporters give Sadaqah Jariyah on behalf of a loved one who has passed away. Projects like wells and masjids may continue benefiting people for years, creating the possibility of continuous reward, Insha Allah.

Can I contribute without funding a full project?

Yes — contribute any amount. Your donation is combined with the generosity of other supporters to help complete a well, build a masjid, provide food or support other initiatives. Every contribution matters.

Where does MATW work?

MATW delivers humanitarian and development programmes across countries affected by poverty, conflict, displacement and crisis. Locations change with current needs — explore current campaigns.

Epilogue

His story has been written.
His legacy is still being built.

Ali used the time Allah gave him to begin something that would continue beyond his lifetime. Today, that responsibility passes to us.

You may not know how long the impact will continue. You may never meet the people who benefit. But Allah sees every sincere intention — and Allah never allows a good deed to be lost.

Continue Ali's legacy Choose a project

May Allah have mercy on our brother Ali Banat, forgive his shortcomings and grant him the highest levels of Jannatul Firdaus.

May Allah accept every orphan cared for, every meal provided, every drop of water given and every masjid built through the mission he began as an ongoing source of reward for him.

May Allah awaken our hearts before it is too late, and help each of us leave behind deeds that continue benefiting others after we return to Him. Ameen.