Gaza’s enterprising youth must be heard before their fragile hope is extinguished forever

Mohammad Abdel Majeed Ismaeel, child welfare worker for Islamic Relief Palestine.

Facing a bleak future in Gaza, enterprising young people feel let down and ignored, says Islamic Relief child welfare worker Mohammad Abdel Majeed Ismaeel. Some are losing their lives. Others are risking perilous journeys to seek opportunities elsewhere. Their stories must be heard this International Youth Day and beyond.

Today’s youth face many challenges. Globally around 126 million, or 30% of employed youth remain in extreme or moderate poverty despite having a job. More than 115 million are unable to read and write and close to 497 million are unemployed. In Gaza, young people are struggling more than usual, as they experience the world’s highest youth unemployment rate and limited spaces in which they can express themselves.

Many feel they face a bleak future.

Through my work with Islamic Relief in Gaza, I work directly with our targeted families and young people. Everywhere I go, I hear young people expressing their despair and exhaustion. Gaza’s youth feel there are no places where they can use their skills and knowledge.

They tell me they feel let down by everyone. Many believe their life has no purpose and have lost all hope for a better future. Tragically, some have even taken their own lives.

A food kiosk run by an enterprising young Gazan.

Struggling to build a livelihood

Others, in defiance of the challenges they face, have started their own micro-business like small restaurants and freelancing enterprises. It means they can depend on themselves rather than waiting for employers to recruit them.

However, these small projects face huge stumbling blocks. Their enterprises struggle as most potential customers here face the same uncertainty about the future – and therefore spend as little as they can.

Computing and programming businesses have begun facing financial restrains, leaving young freelance workers without payment. This can quickly land the freelancer in debt, and with little or nothing to fall back on they are unable to carry on with their business and feel they can’t try again.

The blockade has impacted every aspect of the Gaza Strip’s fragile economy, due to the tight restrictions imposed on importing and exporting goods. Unemployment rates soared to an unprecedented 46% (72% amongst youth aged 20-29). Moreover, the 40,000 people graduating from university are competing for fewer than 8,000 jobs.

Gaza has experienced 3 devastating wars in the last 14 years, inflicting tremendous damage on lives, property and the economy which is yet to recover.

The limited offering of goods caused a surge in the prices. I remember when it cost a fortune to buy a bed or sofa, let alone build a house. Many young people lost major opportunities for graduate studies and scholarships because of movement restrictions. Furthermore, job opportunities dwindled, leaving the youth with limited life chances.

Gaza’s young people want to be heard.

Seeking a better life elsewhere

Sharif* is a business administration graduate who has been trying to provide for himself and his family – he is their sole breadwinner. He volunteered with many organisations hoping to gain the skills and experience to secure a decent job. But after a year applying for every available job, all in vain, he made the hard decision to leave everything behind to seek asylum in Europe in pursuit of a better life.

“You can’t say we are living normal life in Gaza. Once a young man cannot buy himself an item of clothing, a good meal, or even live a secure peaceful life, life becomes worthless. I am leaving Gaza holding a huge dream that things will get better for me. But I am uncertain how it will turn out,” Sharif told me in frustration.

Unlike Sharif, Rawand is not leaving Gaza, but she is feeling frustrated. An outstanding translator, she has worked in many organisations but has suffered as businesses downsize and jobs become increasingly scarce. When we were in college she graduated top of her class, yet she lost many chances for postgraduate studies abroad due to movement restrictions.

“Youth in Gaza are losing hope more and more without any way of salvation. I am one of the unemployed youth who graduated and volunteered for several years. Suddenly, with this chaotic situation, lack of funding, and the high unemployment rate, I have been jobless for more than two years now, even though I have extensive experience in translation. Furthermore our dreams of postgraduate studies, are suspended by the movement restrictions, social norms, and being financially incapacitated,” Rawand said.

Mahmoud, an artist, now lives in Europe.

Another example is Mahmoud, who grew up in an orphanage in Gaza Strip. He is a young artist who is trying to build a better future. Mahmoud told me, “I tried teaching, training, and volunteering for any opportunity, as I want to invest in something that I love and make a living from my passion.” Mahmoud tried to invest in his artistic talent to make a living for himself and his family, however it is very hard to convince families to spend money on artwork when they cannot meet their food and basic needs. Mahmoud traveled to Europe for higher education, and decided not to return.

Big dreams at risk of being extinguished

Securing a decent income, and the ability to start a family, is a human right. But they seem impossible for young people in the Gaza Strip. Each of these young people carry their big dreams and aspirations on their shoulders as they walk the path towards the light at the end of the tunnel. However, most do not reach the light. The challenges and hard times they face make some feel it’s impossible to go on.

Youth are leaving Gaza Strip for the unknown in Europe and other countries. They often risk and lose their lives taking perilous routes towards ‘freedom’ and prosperity, just because they cannot realise these simple human rights in Gaza.

The youth of Gaza are struggling to express their thoughts, hopes and desires to the world. They just ask for an opportunity to prove their worth, to contribute, to make lives for themselves. They are trying to tell the world they exist. It is time the world listened.

*Name changed to protect his identity

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.