Plaudits for Islamic Relief project and staff at Start Network annual assembly

October 18, 2020 Occupied Palestinian Territory , Philippines -

As the Start Network announces an Islamic Relief colleague in Gaza as one of its Change Makers of the Year, our joint project with A Single Drop for Safe Water in the Philippines is also unveiled as an innovation challenge winner.

Making sure programmes in Gaza leave no-one behind

At its Annual General Assembly this week, the Start Network announced Islamic Relief’s Heba AbuJarbou as one of its Change Makers of the Year.

“Heba is a strong and inspirational colleague,” said Islamic Relief’s Sherin Alsheikh Ahmed, who nominated Heba as for her significant contribution to driving positive change within the humanitarian sector.

“She understands the importance of protection and inclusion and is very passionate about involving people at risk including those with disabilities, older people, women and children in our operations. Her ideas are enlightening and her efforts are highly appreciated.”

Heba works for Islamic Relief in Gaza and is currently engaging with people with disabilities to identify and remove barriers preventing them from accessing support.

Heba AbuJarbou, Quality Assurance Officer for Islamic Relief in Gaza, has been announced as a Start Network Change Maker.

Supporting communities to respond to Covid-19 in the Philippines

The Start Network also revealed that one of three winners of its ‘Working Differently’ innovation challenge is a joint project that is empowering communities in the Philippines.

Delivered in collaboration with local non-governmental organisation A Single Drop for Safe Water, our barangay (village) resilience and innovation through empowerment project supports communities in the Philippines to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The project brings in the localisation agenda, which Islamic Relief is embracing, especially in conflict affected areas,” said Christopher Estallo, programme manager for Islamic Relief Philippines, addressing the assembly by webinar.

“We wanted to model a governance based approach at the barangay level. The approach supports local authorities and communities to prioritise issues and develop their own solutions, or network with suppliers of assistance from a position of power. It is all about making sure the right aid is delivered in the right way.”

The scheme represents a significant break with traditional approaches in which communities only participate in a response delivered by external aid agencies, as A Single Drop for Safe Water’s executive director Kevin Lee explained:

“The biggest change we did in the planning process was actually asking people what they knew about Covid… and asking them about their experiences,” he said, describing how the project is now working with communities to develop solutions to the gaps identified. “We’re hoping that through this process we empower communities not just to react to Covid-19, but to be more resilient in the future.”

Local people are developing their own solutions to the Covid-19 response through our joint project with A Single Drop for Safe Water.

As a winner of the challenge, the project will receive tailored technical support to deliver on a wider scale, with subsequent potential to access a further project development budget.

“The success of the [Start Network challenge] application is an affirmation of the localisation agenda being promoted by Islamic Relief, where they look at local organisations as truly equal partners and provide space for them to drive potential programmes,” Kevin added.

“This programme is about systems change and the gains made with this challenge funding and technical advice will be immediately felt in programme areas but contributes to a national programme and institutionalised through mineralization and case studies as the local Barangay Resilience and Innovation Through Empowerment (BRITE) Network expands.

“Islamic Relief’s rapid recognition of a good locally developed idea and evidence of success and allowing local organisations to totally own the concept must be acknowledged as evidence that they actually own their commitments to localisation and the charter for change. Even though we have not formally worked with Islamic Relief in the past… we feel that the respect shown by the organisation bodes well for a positive implementing relationship.”

Islamic Relief is a proud member of the Start Network, which was founded in 2010 and is made up of national and international aid agencies. We aim to work with fellow members to deliver aid in a more efficient and effective manner whilst harnessing the cumulative knowledge of the network to make better decisions for those in need.

Donate now to support Islamic Relief’s life-saving and life-changing work worldwide.

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.