CAMPAIGN

Refugees and displaced people

The rights, dignity and protection needs of refugees and displaced people are being undermined as the world faces a global displacement crisis. Islamic Relief has been responding to the needs of refugees and displaced people since 1984 and is campaigning on their behalf.

According to the latest figures from UNHCR, a record 79.5 million were displaced as of the end of 2019. 45.7 million are displaced within their own countries and the rest have sought refuge elsewhere.

The number of people displaced due to conflict and persecution is the highest it has ever been, while the climate emergency is also having a catastrophic impact on displacement. The vast majority of people forced to flee their homes are doing so in protracted situations of violence that the international community has been unable to address.

Islamic Relief is on the ground providing support

More than two thirds of all refugees worldwide come from just 5 countries: Syria, Afghanistan, South Sudan, Myanmar and Somalia. Islamic Relief has been working in conflict-affected regions around the world for decades, as well as in neighbouring countries to support refugees, displaced people and the communities hosting them.

Refugees and displaced people

In Syria we are one of the leading agencies providing healthcare and food to millions of displaced and war-affected people in the country’s embattled northwest. In South Sudan we are working in the rural border areas to support refugees and returnees as well as communities who have not been displaced, prioritising women’s access to basic services. In Afghanistan we have been supporting people displaced due to various crises over the years including violence, floods and drought, at one stage providing shelter to families who resorted to living in caves for protection.

We are currently supporting both Syrian and Palestinian refugees in Jordan with programmes in healthcare, education and livelihoods. Our work involves supporting women who are the main wage earners and carers of their families, ensuring they are able to meet their basic needs and send their children to school. In Lebanon our faith-sensitive child protection training with Muslim and Christian community leaders has helped ensure refugee children’s rights are met even in the midst of instability and crisis.

Islamic Relief is also delivering life-saving relief to more than two million people a month across Yemen, where double that number are internally displaced. In hard-to-reach areas in northern Mali we are one of the first agencies to assess and respond to internal displacement as a result of regular clashes over scare resources and inter-communal tensions. In Greece, we run an interfaith project with partners to help provide vulnerable refugees with legal assistance to claim their rights. In the USA and Canada we have worked in cooperation with local communities and authorities to build faith-sensitive welcome programmes for refugees resettled to these countries.

Refugees and displaced people
Campaigning for the rights of refugees and displaced people

Inspired by Islamic teachings on providing asylum to those fleeing persecution, Islamic Relief is not only responding to the needs of refugees and displaced people around the world but also campaigning on their behalf. In 2013, Islamic Relief was one of several faith-inspired organisations to work with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on an inter-faith affirmation, pledging our commitment to ‘welcome the stranger.’

We have also been campaigning to help implement the UN’s Global Compact on Refugees, an historic agreement which includes specific recognition of the role of faith-based organisations and local faith communities in welcoming people forced to flee and ensuring their needs are met.

During the negotiation for the Global Compact and since it was adopted, Islamic Relief has been advocating for the following recommendations to be met as part of its implementation in core contexts in which we work:
Policies and publications
Justice and Protection for Refugees: Building on the UN’s Global Compact

Islamic Relief has been responding to forced migration crises since our inception. We are now working to meet the needs of refugees, internally displaced people, asylum seekers and returnees in 26 countries. In this work, we have developed partnerships with numerous governments and key institutions, notably the United Nations; in 2013, Islamic Relief was listed as one of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees’ (UNHCR) top ten international implementing partners.

This briefing seeks to encourage the international community to make more effective progress towards these goals and to ensure the Global Compact protects and enhances the rights of refugees around the world.

The Rights of Forced Migrants in Islam  

This paper provides an overview of the Islamic teachings related to the rights of people forced to leave their homes. Islam has a strong heritage of forced migrant protection, stemming from the original teachings of the Qur’an, as well as from historical examples taken from the lives of great Prophets. This heritage includes strong commands on the importance of seeking refuge if one is facing persecution, as well as on the duty to provide asylum to those who need it.

Gender, Religion and Humanitarian Responses to Refugees

This policy brief, edited by Elena Fiddian-Qasmiyeh of UCL with contributions from Sharifa Abdulaziz (Islamic Relief Worldwide) and Helen Stawski (Islamic Relief UK), examines the intersection of gender, faith and refugees, aiming to deconstruct some of the assumptions that underlie humanitarian approaches to them.

Latest news
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.