Day of the Orphan

July 16, 2014 Bosnia and Herzegovina , Yemen -

Islamic Relief is celebrating the first ever Day of the Orphan in the Muslim World, which is to be marked on the fifteenth day of Ramadan every year.

The initiative – developed by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) – raises global awareness about the hardship faced by orphaned children in the world’s poorest communities.

Across the globe, Islamic Relief provides a lifeline for orphaned children and their families – at Ramadan and throughout the year. Our orphan sponsorship programme supports 38,000 children in 24 countries worldwide. Here are some of their stories.

Fata, Bosnia and Herzegovina

“I want her to smile every day, I don’t want her to cry anymore.”

Last year, the mother of Fata Butkovic contacted Islamic Relief after learning she and her family were to be evicted from their home.

When Fata’s father died of a heart attack in 2004, the family were forced to leave their house, which was owned by her paternal grandfather. They moved to an apartment in a nearby village, which was destroyed in an electrical fire a couple of years later. They then found a home with the support of social services, in Sarajevo.

Fata Butkovic
Fata Butkovic is enrolled on Islamic Relief’s orphan sponsorship programme

Facing homelessness once more

Life was hard for the family, who rely on a small government pension, and the regular allowance they receive through Islamic Relief. Our orphan sponsorship scheme helps the family to meet their basic needs, and enables Fata to go to school. A shy girl, she studies hard and wants to be an air stewardess when she is grown up – so she can fly away from everything.

Then, the eviction notice arrived. Facing homelessness once more, the family were invited to live with her mother’s parents. They could not afford to pay the bus fare to get to Tuzla. Islamic Relief arranged travel for the family of seven.

“When I had a problem, only Islamic Relief answered my call and placed my children in a safe place,” said Fata’s mother. “Before Islamic Relief’s support, everything was much harder. I did not have anyone to call or to ask for help.”

Now living in the village of Barice, the family have some support from relatives and neighbours, but life is still difficult.

“I hope you will continue to help me, because your help means a lot to us,” said Fata. “My mother is much happier since you are with us. I want her to smile every day, I don’t want her to cry anymore.”

Naseeb, Yemen

“Thanks for helping orphans and planting happiness in their hearts”

Naseeb Hassan Saleh is a shy, twelve year-old Yemeni boy. He lives with his mother and two elder sisters in a village named Crater, near the port city of Aden.

“When my husband died, he left us nothing,” said Naseeb’s mother, who now works as a cleaner. “There was no source of income. Even the house was not ours. My children were young and needed food, medicine, clothes and school materials. That is what makes my life so hard to bear alone.”

Naseeb receives a regular allowance
Naseeb receives a regular allowance

A makeshift shelter and the threat of homelessness

The family lives in the middle of a cemetery, in a makeshift shelter. The hut is made from wood, and has no roof in some places. The government plans to demolish the shelter, which will leave Haseeb and his family without a home.

Sponsorship through Islamic Relief makes a big difference to the family. The regular allowance that Naseeb receives through our orphan programme helps the family to meet their basic needs. It also supports Naseeb’s education – and last year, when he fractured his skull and knee in a car accident, his big-hearted donor also funded his medical treatment.

“I pray to God and thank Him for helping me through Islamic Relief Yemen. I pray for all the people who love doing good for orphans and poor people.

“Thanks for helping orphans and planting happiness in their hearts.”

Read more stories:

Hassan, Pakistan
Life-saving heart surgery

Sara, Bosnia and Herzegovina
“Before Islamic Relief, I was really lost.”

Hadiza, Niger
“Before my husband’s death, my family lived in good conditions.”

Abeer, Yemen
Caring for vulnerable children

Um Ahmed, Syria
“They have no more dreams after losing their fathers.”

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.