Family Sponsorship

can provide 3 malnourished lactating mothers and their babies with medical treatment
can provide education and school kits to 5 families
can help supply a paediatric unit with ICU and medical essentials
Enter Amount

Living in poverty can mean an orphan child is without basic essentials such as warmth, food, and shelter. The recent cost-of-living crisis is increasing and more frightening every day, putting even more pressure on families that were already struggling to buy food and heat their homes.

Many families around the world struggle to survive with no opportunities to work, unable to break free from the spiralling cycle of poverty in which they are trapped.

For just €195 a month, you can help entire orphaned and vulnerable families with their essential needs. We believe that each family knows best what they require, and we aim to help meet their basic needs so they can live more of a dignified life.

You can help support an orphan family that has a minimum of 4 children within it. Your monthly donation is allocated directly to the head of the orphaned or vulnerable family, a mother, grand parent, or carer to help them cover their basic needs.

Together we are building stronger families, with our innovative solutions we are reaching out to those in need, strengthening communities and building skills and resilience – improving the chances of bright futures for orphaned and vulnerable families.

Sponsor an orphan family and help them out of poverty.

For the purpose of the Family Sponsorship Programme, we define a family as a group consisting of 2 parents and a minimum of 2 children, living together as a unit under 1 household.

We look to cover the most basic needs of the family, mainly in terms of nutrition, health and education. The cash transfer empowers the family to use the funds for their immediate needs.

From every £1, 80p of your donation goes directly to your sponsored family. The rest is used to provide social support to families through our dedicated staff on the ground. We pride ourselves on transparency and we ensure that your money goes towards the project you intended – we know that we are accountable to you, our beneficiaries and ultimately Allah. Every year Islamic Relief prepares financial accounts, which are audited by independent accountants.

The donations are received by the family on a quarterly basis, quarterly payments throughout the year are distributed in March, June, September and December.

Sponsorship will continue until the family are able to support themselves and no longer need to rely on the sponsorship. We will assess the family’s situation regularly to ensure the neediest families are supported.

You will receive an initial report providing some basic information on your sponsored family, usually within X weeks after the first payment has been received. We will then aim to provide an update on the family’s situation annually, focusing primarily on their health, nutritional needs and children’s education. Please note that on some occasions, there may be delays to reporting back on the family you are supporting, due to the situation in the countries where the families are residing.

We request that you give us 3 months’ notice before cancelling to give us time to find another sponsor. If this notice is not provided, you will be required to make a payment to cover the 3 months. We are certain you will agree that we need to ensure your family continues to receive support to minimise disruption to their life. However, if you are unable to do this due to exceptional circumstances, the family will be supported by Islamic Relief for a further 3 months until another sponsor is found.

Islamic Relief sponsor any families regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, background or belief.

If donations are missed for 3 months in a row and not repaid, Islamic Relief will have to cancel the sponsorship and find a new sponsor for the family to ensure support is continued. Donors will be informed as soon as a monthly donation is missed, this could sometimes be due to technical issues. If the donor arranges for the missed donations to be made the sponsorship will continue.

Islamic Relief has a duty to ensure that all our sponsored orphans are receiving their donations, and this can only be done when the income is received. We have a duty of care to those we serve and can only do this with the support of the donor. Should any changes in circumstances occur for the donor, they should inform Islamic Relief as soon as possible

Simply sign up as you did when first registering after informing the Islamic Relief office. Islamic Relief reserves the right to refuse to accept a donor onto the Orphan Sponsorship Programme who has previously shown their lack of ability to make regular donations, such individuals are encouraged to donate to the Orphan General Fund instead.

Please read the following statements from our Child Protection Policy
– Islamic Relief upholds the protection of life and dignity of those they serve and are confident that our donors share the same values of protection and safety for the orphans under our care.
– Islamic Relief will not publish the contact details of the sponsored orphan or their family in order to protect their safety and preserve their privacy.
– Donors can contact their sponsored orphan through letters and emails via Islamic Relief who will review the suitability of the content. The orphan may reply, however they are under no obligation to.
– Donors can visit their sponsored orphan, however this will be at their own cost and risk. The visits are limited and are situated in the Islamic Relief office, with a welfare officer present. The office will need a months’ notice in order to accommodate the visit and no unannounced visits are permitted. The safety and wellbeing of the child is paramount.
– Photos are for the purpose of passing on relevant information. Photos are not to be copied or distributed without the permission of Islamic Relief.

new director

Director of Network and Resource Development

Adnan joined Islamic Relief in 2004 as a regional fundraiser in the UK. He worked in multiple roles over 10 years at Islamic Relief UK, including setting up the first digital team and leading the growth of digital fundraising and engagement. Adnan also led numerous fundraising and marketing campaigns, which played a significant part in the growth of Islamic Relief UK.

Having moved to Islamic Relief Worldwide in 2014, Adnan has held different roles that have helped grow Islamic Relief’s global digital footprint into new geographic territories, supporting Islamic Relief members with their digital and marketing growth as well as developing new products and initiatives for the Islamic Relief family.

Adnan graduated in Industrial Design and Technology from Loughborough University. He has since completed an Advanced Diploma in Business Administration from Durham University and a Diploma in Digital Marketing from the Institute of Data and Marketing.

Nadeem Azhar

General Counsel

Nadeem joined Islamic Relief Worldwide in September 2022. He has worked in the charitable sector for over a decade.

He studied Modern History and Politics at Manchester University, and at the University of Law in London before qualifying as a solicitor in 2011.

Nadeem is an experienced corporate, commercial and governance lawyer, having worked with various faith-based and grant making charities as well those in health and education settings. He was a partner at a law firm in London before moving in-house where he focused on setting up and restructuring charities and social enterprises.

Most recently, Nadeem was Lead Counsel at Mind, a leading mental health charity, where he co-authored a new federation agreement, revamped legal processes, and played a major role in developing its strategic and fundraising partnerships.

Nadeem has been a charity trustee for the Seafarers Charity, as well as many grant-making bodies and theatre companies.

Adnan Hafiz

Director of Network and Resource Development

Adnan joined Islamic Relief in 2004 as a regional fundraiser in the UK. He worked in multiple roles over 10 years at Islamic Relief UK, including setting up the first digital team and leading the growth of digital fundraising and engagement. Adnan also led numerous fundraising and marketing campaigns, which played a significant part in the growth of Islamic Relief UK.

Having moved to Islamic Relief Worldwide in 2014, Adnan has held different roles that have helped grow Islamic Relief’s global digital footprint into new geographic territories, supporting Islamic Relief members with their digital and marketing growth as well as developing new products and initiatives for the Islamic Relief family.

Adnan graduated in Industrial Design and Technology from Loughborough University. He has since completed an Advanced Diploma in Business Administration from Durham University and a Diploma in Digital Marketing from the Institute of Data and Marketing.

Board of Directors
Javed Akhtar

Director of Finance

Javed Akhtar has more than a decade of experience at Islamic Relief, having worked in a similar role between 2003-2014. In that role he strove to implement wide-ranging financial and accounting processes which aided in the transparent nature in which Islamic Relief now operates.

Javed also has diverse experience across the private sector, having worked at American chemicals and pharmaceutical giant DuPont, shipping firm FedEX and technology consultancy company Accenture. In all his roles, he prioritises using the latest technologies to improve monitoring and reporting at every level. Javed’s commitment to embracing digital end-to-end technology, enhancing accountability to our stakeholders and promoting financial transparency is ensuring that we remain at the forefront of financial developments in the sector.

By training, Javed is a chartered accountant with a Master’s degree in NGO Management with Charity Accounting and Financial Management from Cass Business School.
Board of Directors
Affan Cheema  

Director of International Programmes

Affan Cheema is an experienced leader who has spent 25 years working in the international aid sector on poverty eradication in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. He has worked in fast onset emergencies, protracted crisis and development environments whilst working for Islamic Relief Worldwide and Care International. He is also a trustee of South West International Development Network (SWIDN).

Through his career Affan has held numerous roles including institutional fundraising, programme and grant management, and programme quality assurance.  Affan’s leadership has helped Islamic Relief Worldwide secure the highly coveted Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS), seen as the sector’s premier benchmark for operational excellence.

Affan completed his BA in Economics and Geography from University of London (School of Oriental and African Studies) and his MSc in Development Administration and Planning from the University of Bristol. He is PRINCE2 qualified, is a keen sportsman and recently co-edited a book entitled -Islam and International Development: Insights for working with Muslim Communities-.
Board of Directors
Dr Hossam Said

Managing Director, Humanitarian Academy for Development (HAD)

For nearly three decades Dr Hossam has provided the strategic vision to manage, lead and develop a range of international humanitarian interventions around the world.

At the start of his career, Dr Hossam served on the Board of Directors of the Egyptian Medical Syndicate, before moving to Islamic Relief Worldwide to manage the core global business activities as International Programmes Director.

During this time the organisation increased its global reach, gaining both domestic and international repute and credibility. Dr Hossam has also served on the Islamic Relief Worldwide Board of Management and Executive Committee for the past 15 years; sharing responsibility for strategic organisational development and the change management process, whilst forging strong relationships with many other charities.

Dr Hossam gained an MBA from Aston Business School in 2004 and graduated as a Medical Doctor from Cairo University in 1981.
Board of Directors
Martin Cottingham  

Director of External Relations and Advocacy

Martin Cottingham joined Islamic Relief in 2012 as IRUK Media Relations Manager, and was appointed Head of Communications in 2015 before taking up his current position as Director of External Relations and Advocacy for Islamic Relief Worldwide.

Martin has helped Islamic Relief to increase its mainstream media profile and expand its campaigning work, producing hard-hitting advocacy reports on floods in Pakistan (2011) famine in Somalia (2012) disaster risk reduction (2013) and aid to Afghanistan (2014). He has over 20 years’ experience working in media, communications and marketing roles for international development and environmental charities.

Martin graduated from the University of London with a degree in English and Drama (1982-85) then trained as a journalist with a postgraduate diploma at City University (1986-87). He has previously worked for Christian Aid as Editor of Christian Aid News and Media Relations Manager (1988-97) for Oxfam as Regional Campaigns Manager (1997-2000) and at the Soil Association as Marketing Director (2001-2006), as well as working for a wide range of organisations as a freelance writer, researcher and communications consultant.

Tufail Hussain

Director of Islamic Relief UK

Tufail Hussain has 17 years’ experience in the humanitarian and development sector, leading on marketing and fundraising campaigns for several organisations before joining Islamic Relief UK in 2016 as Deputy Director. Tufail was appointed Director of Islamic Relief UK in 2019 and in 2021 provided valuable leadership as interim CEO of Islamic Relief Worldwide.

Tufail is driven by a passion for empowering disadvantaged youth and mentors a number of young people. He also works to strengthen engagement between British Muslims and wider society. Under his leadership, Islamic Relief UK has significantly increased its income and developed successful partnerships with communities across the country. He has travelled around the world to raise awareness of major emergencies such as the Syria, Yemen and Afghanistan crises and the floods in Pakistan and Sudan.

A father to 5 daughters and a son, Tufail is also a sports enthusiast and passionate Liverpool FC supporter. Tufail has run the London Marathon twice, raising over £35,000 for humanitarian causes.

Before joining Islamic Relief he was CEO of Orphans in Need, where he oversaw a new strategy that increased income from £2 million to £9 million in 3 years and opened up new UK and international offices. Tufail is also a trustee of the Muslim Charities Forum and a Director of TIC International (Islamic Relief Worldwide’s clothes recycling and trading arm).
Waseem Ahmad

Chief Executive Officer

Waseem Ahmad joined the Islamic Relief family over 24 years ago, serving as Programme Officer in the Balochistan province of south-western Pakistan before becoming Head of Programmes in Pakistan. Waseem then moved to Oxfam and Tearfund before returning to Islamic Relief to establish our mission in Malawi. Later serving as Head of Programme Funding and Partnerships, Waseem led the response to major crises across the globe, including the East Africa drought, Pakistan earthquake and the Indian Ocean Tsunami.

Waseem then served for nearly 6 years as our Director of International Programmes, during which time the charity secured and retained the coveted Core Humanitarian Standard certification in recognition of the quality of our programming. He was appointed CEO of Islamic Relief in May 2021.

With a special interest in community mobilisation and infrastructure, Waseem received an MSc in Project Planning and Management from the University of Bradford, as well as an MSc in Economics from Arid Agriculture University in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.

Waseem has also worked for Lepra Health in Action and is a member of the International Civil Society Centre’s Board of Trustees. The father-of-3 enjoys walking and playing football, and is a keen birdwatcher.