Faith is part of the solution to ending sexual and gender-based violence

This International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, Islamic Relief CEO Naser Haghamed calls for the international community to do more.

Today, 19 June, is the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, which raises awareness of the need to put an end to conflict-related violence.

Tragically, one in three women is likely to face sexual or physical violence throughout her life –with a higher likelihood if she is trapped in a conflict zone or in a humanitarian emergency.

Today, the fourth year of the International Day, should be a wake-up call for the international development community to do more.

Tackling the root causes of sexual and gender-based violence

I am proud to say that at Islamic Relief, not only do we provide emergency disaster relief in conflict zones, but we also work to improve the lives of affected communities.

Guided by the concept of social justice (‘adl), we have been working towards addressing the root cause of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV); inequality between women and men.

Unfortunately, no matter where you look, there is no place where total gender equality has been achieved. Almost 40%, or 1.4 billion, of the world’s girls and women today live without the same rights as men.

I believe that a more equal world is attainable and as the world’s largest independent Muslim humanitarian charity, Islamic Relief has a unique role to play. With a presence in over 40 countries, we are able to reach some of the most challenging parts of the world to promote gender equality.

Faith is critical to ending SGBV

In these places, faith is often what people cling to when life gets tough and I believe that faith is an important part of the solution to addressing SGBV.

I spoke about Islamic Relief’s work in this area at the first ever international conference to end sexual and gender-based violence held in Oslo last month, Ending Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Humanitarian Crises.

Islamic Relief CEO Naser Haghamed at the Oslo conference with the Minister of Women and Human Rights Development of the Federal Government of Somalia, Deqa Yasin Hagi Yusuf and representatives of the Somali charity sector.

We have seen that faith leaders can be agents for creating social change, and mobilising them can be effective in reducing gender-based violence and helping survivors heal.

Since 2016 we have been training and educating imams in places like Mali and Lebanon on preventing all forms of gender discrimination and violence.

Islamic Relief uses a survivor-centred approach

Our work recognises the importance of a survivor-centered approach, which also happens to be the focus of this year’s International Day. In Iraq for example, we work with women to provide psychosocial support, and safe housing/safe spaces to survivors.

Our programmes also empower women to take charge of all aspects of their lives, for example in the areas of education and financial inclusion.

In Addis Ababa for example, we recently helped almost 500 widows towards becoming financially independent, through microfinance initiatives.

Similar projects in Bangladesh have resulted in participating families now earning almost four times what they used to.

Regardless of war or peace, Islamic Relief never stops its work to end SGBV.

Closer to our global base in the United Kingdom, we work with the charity ADVANCE to place Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVA) in maternity, A&E and sexual health departments in hospitals across West London. This allows us to reach more survivors early on to offer specialist support.

SGBV has no place in Islam

In ending SGBV, we recognise the need to push key faith principles to challenge and stop harmful cultural practices and social conditions.

Later this year, I will be launching Islamic Relief’s innovative Islamic Declaration on Gender Justice, which is the first Islamic call to action securing pledges from dozens of organisations on addressing discrimination and violence against women and girls, including during humanitarian crises.

The Declaration sends a strong message that SGBV has no place in Islam, and I am very pleased with the support received for it so far from both faith and non-faith-based organisations.

We hope the Declaration will move us closer towards eliminating SGBV not just in conflict, but in everyday life.

Through the Declaration and our vital emergency relief and sustainable development programmes, Islamic Relief will ensure that religion is no longer used as a cover for SGBV but becomes a powerful tool to help combat it.

Islamic Relief is pushing for an end to all forms of gender-based violence. Discover more about how we’re making a difference through our ‘survivor centred’ approach to humanitarian and development programming.

Support our work and help turn someone’s life round: Donate now.

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.