Challenges in the Middle East

January 14, 2015 Iraq , Jordan , Lebanon , Occupied Palestinian Territory , Syrian Arab Republic , Yemen -

Islamic Relief has teamed-up with the Council for Arab-British Understanding (Caabu) to host a high-profile event at Westminster, United Kingdom. HRH Prince Elhassan Bin Talal of Jordan, and Sir Alan Duncan, former UK Minister of International Development, joined us to discuss the key hopes and challenges facing the Middle East.

Political editor of the Huffington Post UK, Mehdi Hassan, chaired the event.
Political editor of the Huffington Post UK, Mehdi Hassan, chaired the event.

The dinner and discussion – held at Church House on Monday – was chaired by political editor of the Huffington Post UK, Mehdi Hassan. It took place as the Middle East grapples with its worst humanitarian crises yet. Over 29 million people required humanitarian assistance last year, as conflict escalated in Palestine, and fighting continued in Iraq and Syria.

Addressing political and humanitarian challenges

The evening, titled Key Political and Humanitarian Challenges in the Middle East, included keynote speeches from Prince El Hassan bin Talal of Jordan, Sir Alan Duncan, Islamic Relief’s CEO Dr. Mohammed Ashmawey, and Chris Doyle, Director of Caabu.

Following on from the speeches was an open question and answers session, chaired by Mehdi Hassan with Prince Elhassan and Sir Alan Duncan. It bought together friends of both Islamic Relief and Caabu, academics, community leaders and activists.

Dr Mohamed Ashmawey was one of the first to address the audience and highlighted Islamic Relief’s work in the region, saying: “Islamic Relief works in war-torn Syria and Iraq, the Palestinian Territories, Lebanon, Jordan and Yemen – the poorest country in the Middle East.

“Our staff bear witness to acute suffering and deprivation in all these places, and risk their lives to deliver humanitarian aid in the most inhospitable and hard-to-reach areas.

“Much more needs to be done to improve humanitarian access, to protect civilians and to make diplomatic progress towards ending conflict – because ultimately there are no lasting humanitarian solutions to political problems.”

Sir Alan Duncan focussed on issues surrounding Palestine.
Sir Alan Duncan focussed on issues surrounding Palestine.

A united society and political progress is vital

Sir Alan Duncan followed and spoke passionately about the need to challenge all forms of extremism across the globe, and argued the greatest weapon against terrorism is a united society in the UK. His focus for the evening was on issues surrounding Palestine, which he described as “a thread of grievance running through the Muslim world” that needs to be addressed.

He argued: “Our failure to support Palestinian recognition is regrettable, and my strong view is that we should row in behind them should they re-present their motion to the UN.

“Recognition for Palestine is a cause – one of basic justice – which unites Muslims everywhere, as it also does fair-minded people in the UK and beyond.”

The evening also included a speech from Chris Doyle of Caabu, who urged political progress to address humanitarian concerns in the Middle East.

Restoring respect for human dignity

Prince Elhassan emphasised the importance of living without discriminating groups in society.
Prince Elhassan emphasised the importance of living without discriminating groups in society.

The highlight of the evening was a heart-felt talk by Prince Elhassan, who is also the Honorary President of the Jordan Hashemite Charitable Organisation (JHCO) and has previously met with Islamic Relief to discuss strategies to alleviate poverty and suffering in the Middle East.

He reflected on his years of experience in the region, and stated the importance of living without discriminating groups in society.

“Anthropolitics, or a politics of humanity, must take centre stage in the Middle East to restore respect for human dignity,” he said.

“We must galvanise efforts to ensure that policies are put in place that ensure and promote the role of communities and end-users in natural resources management.”

Prince Elhassan talked about how Syrians now make up eight per cent of Lebanon’s population, and the need to be aware of the situation in the Middle East, where over 45 million people in Iraq are threatened by drought. He urged us to think openly about access to national boundaries and the relationship between marginalised groups.

The Islamic Relief UK and Caabu event bought together friends of both Islamic Relief and Caabu, academics, community leaders and activists.
The Islamic Relief UK and Caabu event bought together friends of both Islamic Relief and Caabu, academics, community leaders and activists.

The question and answer session to close the event was lively, with questions from the floor on the future of the Millennium Development Goals, women working in international development and further questions about the future of the Middle East. Prince Elhassan delivered a timely reminder that “this is not about us or money. It’s about people who are suffering.”

We look forward to continuing and improving our work in the Middle East with support from our partners, as the region faces some of its most difficult challenges yet.

For more information on the evening, take a look at the Twitter hashtag #MidEastHope

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.