International Women’s Day – Stories of change

In light of International Women’s Day, five women from around the world share their stories of change and hopes for a better future.

Islamic Relief has been advancing the economic and social empowerment of women for decades, and this year, is proud to support International Women’s Day campaign theme: #BeBoldForChange

From championing female entrepreneurship to campaigning against gender based violence, our innovative projects and initiatives enable women all over the world to overcome their challenges and build the strength to be #BeBoldForChange

MINIRE, 50, living in Kosova

IWD_Bosnia“Life has never been easy. I lost three children, two of them after birth and one after his eleventh birthday in an accident. I also lost my husband, leaving me to raise our other children alone. Loss came to be part of my life. I was shocked and depressed for many long years. Many people were seeing me pityingly but there was a moment, when I felt desperate and unwilling to live, when I gathered strength I never knew I had. I only had a primary school education but I started looking for vocational training for start-up businesses, and talking with other women about opening businesses in knitting and sewing since many women in our village knew how to do those things. When I heard Islamic Relief was giving training I saw many opportunities. I wanted to come here, challenge myself and start to live. Now, I work in this empowering project for women. Women are strong – very, very strong. They just have to look deep inside themselves to find that strong spirit they have. The strength comes mostly from the children we raise. For them, we are able to carry the weight of the world on our shoulders, and yes we work figuratively 24-hours-a-day, never stopping and not complaining. That makes us different human beings.”

TAISA, 55, living in Chechnya

IWD_Chechnya“Because of my daughter, I’ve never given up. She didn’t allow me to be weak. When she was six months, doctors misdiagnosed cerebral palsy and then said it could be encephalopathy. I have six children and always tried to treat Diana as a special child. When my husband would ask her to do something just as he would ask the other children I was hurt. But later I understood that it was better for her. I started to be more inclusive, letting her sleep with the other children, teaching her to wash and dress herself and assigning some household chores. I taught my children to treat her as an equal. Now she is able to look after herself. Even when she isn’t able to do it quite as well, it makes her feel equal to the other children. I set up my own organisation to help other women, showing them by example how to treat their disabled children. My organisation provides widows and mothers of disabled children different courses such as sewing, hairdressing and cooking, allowing them to raise their income. I also teach in schools, colleges and universities, encouraging tolerance and understanding of disabilities. I understand how difficult it is for mothers when other children point at or shun your child in the playground. Our society must be more patient and tolerant to disabled and I want to make a small contribution through my trainings.”

FATIN ABU DHAKA, 35, living in Gaza

IWD_Gaza“I had an old sewing machine which used to break down while working on it. I used it for making clothes for me and my children to save money because new clothes are so expensive. I always thought about ways of improving the level of my family’s income and supporting my husband. He works, but his monthly income is no more than $150- a-month which isn’t sufficient to secure the basic needs of our family. With the funds from Islamic Relief, I bought a new sewing machine, an iron, and some cloth. I chose to set up the business in an area which does not have a lot of sewing shops. During my first month, I got many customers. At the end of the first month, I made more than $200 and was able to buy food for my family as well as buying more fabric for the project. I was able to think about hiring another woman. This woman, who I knew before, was supporting another big family. I’m very happy to have become a productive woman in my community and my self-confidence has increased. My friends, family, and neighbours are all proud of what I have done.”

UZRA LALI, living in Afghanistan

IWD_Afghanistan“I was illiterate which gave me lots of problems. I couldn’t help my children with their studies. When I was taking medicine I couldn’t understand its dosage or timings. In hospital I couldn’t differentiate between the departments. I attended classes for nine months. We studied literacy. Now there are a lot of changes in my life. I can help my children with their studies. I can manage my small business, making gloves, bags, scarves and shawls. Now women have the freedom to study and learn. The workshops give awareness to women and enable them to work in future, to study and serve society.”

SAFIATOU SACKO, living in Mali

IWD_Mali“Since this town hall has opened no one from my area, Mana, ever became an advisor. I am the first! I am happy to no end. Day and night I would say it! Politics requires you to be known by people, if I were not part of the cooperative people would not know me, let alone vote for me. When I was elected I aspired to help all the women of the community. Women have to step in as leaders for the community to develop. I want an education for my daughters. I only studied up to the sixth grade of primary school. I don’t want my children to remain there. I want them to study until they have a job. If a woman works she can support herself and others.”

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.