Universal Children’s Day: children need better protection from violence, abuse and exploitation

This Universal Children’s Day, Islamic Relief celebrates the incredible resilience of children – and calls for more action to protect them from harm.

Every year, Islamic Relief helps millions of children in crisis around the world. During these difficult times they are most at risk of violence, abuse and exploitation in all forms.

Changing the lives – and futures – of vulnerable children

Islamic Relief has been helping 11-year old Faiza, who faced dire conditions and an uncertain future in a refugee camp in Kenya. Faiza, who lives with her mother and brother, had only a worn out tent to call home.

Then we offered to help.

Faiza used to live with her family in a worn out tent in Dadaab refugee camp.

“When my daughter was first enrolled in the Islamic Relief sponsorship programme [in 2011] I felt very happy,” said her mother, Halima. “This came at our hour of need.”

Our orphan sponsorship scheme provides families with a regular stipend to cover their basic needs – and make sure the sponsored child can go to school. Enterprising Halima managed to save some of the money to improve her family’s circumstances.

“I bought two goats that gave us milk. One of the goats gave birth and we had more milk, and I was able to save more [money].

“In the second year… I used savings to build a [small] house made of mud walls and iron sheets for roofing,” Halima explained. She has also set up a kiosk selling food and bought a sewing machine to earn extra money.

The future is now looking brighter for Faiza. Improved living conditions mean she can concentrate on her studies, and get closer to her dream of being a teacher:

“I want to learn and continue with my education up to university. I feel blessed,” she says.

Faiza, who is sponsored by Islamic Relief, helps her mother in their small shop.

Tens of thousands of vulnerable families rely on Islamic Relief

Our sponsorship scheme, which supports over 63,000 children in 28 countries, has been a lifeline for Sabreen since she was a little girl.

Her father died just before she was born, leaving her mother struggling to provide for the family in poverty-stricken Gaza.

“Thank God I found someone to take care of me,” said Sabreen, now 20-years old, describing the day she joined our orphan sponsorship programme, “Islamic Relief did not leave me alone.”

Sabreen tells Islamic Relief she buys essentials like food and clothes with the regular stipend from our sponsorship scheme.

Happy to be able to afford basic necessities, Sabreen, who has a disability, is determined to enjoy her newfound independence after receiving a mobility scooter from Islamic Relief:

“I will not stay at home like before. I will try to go out and have as much fun as I can.”

As well as our orphan sponsorship scheme, we run a project that makes sure we consider the needs of children of all ages and abilities in our work. The scheme will introduce dedicated protection and inclusion staff to 12 Islamic Relief country offices.

Using faith to end violence and exploitation

“Islamic Relief keeps the rights of children at the forefront of all our interventions,” says our Child Protection and Inclusion Advisor, Neelam Fida. “Particularly at times of crisis, when children – especially children with disabilities – face greater risks.”

In our efforts to protect children and promote their God-given rights, Islamic Relief draws on faith teachings which speak of love and compassion for children, explains Neelam.

“To protect children from all forms of violence, abuse and exploitation, we have to get families, faith leaders, and communities themselves involved. To do this we need a deep understanding of faith and culture – so for some years now Islamic Relief has been strengthening its faith literacy.”

Faith leader Molvi Mohammed Anwar of Dalbindin, Pakistan, is among those now helping to end the cycle of violence and exploitation.

Islamic Relief has revolutionised my way of thinking and encouraged me to play an active role as a faith leader to bring [about] positive change in my community and support the rights of the most vulnerable members of the community – women and children,” he says.

Greater child protection focus needed to keep children safe

But there is still much to be done to protect children in crisis around the world.

“To help the world’s most vulnerable children, greater focus on programmes that integrate child protection principles is desperately needed,” adds Neelam.

“And organisations and bodies working to improve their lives must get better at working together to increase the positive impact of such programmes.”

With your support Islamic Relief can continue to help vulnerable children around the world. Together we can improve their lives and help to protect them from harm. Please donate now.

Download and share our Universal Children’s Day infographic

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.