Founded in 1984, Islamic Relief has grown into one of the world’s largest relief and development organisations. With offices and operations in dozens of countries, we work collectively to help millions of vulnerable people every year.
A crucial step, as we grow, is evolving our governance arrangements to meet the changing needs of the Islamic Relief family and the challenging environment in which we operate. In 2014 the Islamic Relief family agreed the principles for a global formal structure that will help us serve our beneficiaries more effectively and efficiently.
In August 2020, our reform programme reached an exciting milestone, with the creation of our first ever International General Assembly (IGA). This is the highest body of the new Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW) governance structure and consists mainly of representatives elected by Islamic Relief members from around the world, with the aim of creating a body that is truly globally representative. The IGA is responsible for the appointment of the Board of Trustees (BOT) of Islamic Relief Worldwide, the Members Accreditation Committee (MAC) and the Governance Committee.
Up to a quarter of the IGA will be composed by independent members from outside the Islamic Relief family, helping to bring additional specialist skills and experience, as well as increased diversity and accountability.
The IGA established the Membership Accreditation Committee (MAC), a body responsible for monitoring compliance with the membership criteria. This includes making recommendations on the suitability of members (both entities and individuals) to the IGA. These recommendations include the initial nomination, membership levels, renewals and ending membership. MAC ensures adherence to the rules governing membership of the International General Assembly and is chaired by an independent member elected from the IGA.
The IGA also created a Governance Committee, which is responsible for overseeing the development of common standards, policies, and procedures to be applied across the Islamic Relief family. In doing so, it helps identify best practices and reports on compliance with agreed standards, policies and procedures to the IGA.
The Audit and Finance Committee (AFC) is a sub-committee of the Board of Trustees. First established in 2007, the AFC is responsible for reviewing financial and audit reports. It also oversees risk management, complaints handling and internal controls. This oversight mechanism serves to provide confidence in the integrity of Islamic Relief Worldwide practices and operates independently from executives. The AFC oversees the appointment of external auditors and reviews management letters issued by the auditors and follows up on implementation of the recommendations.
The Islamic Relief Family Council is a body that represents senior executives from across the Islamic Relief family. The Family Council is responsible for coordinating executive efforts through communication, planning and implementation with the aim of improving efficiency and effectiveness of the Islamic Relief global efforts. The Family Council is responsible for the development of the global strategy of the Islamic Relief Family that is presented to the IGA for approval.
This governance model allows the Islamic Relief family to work more collaboratively, efficiently and effectively to serve the interests of our beneficiaries. It also enhances shared ownership, greater accountability, joint decision-making, as well as helping to strengthen relationships and increase transparency.
This governance model enables the Islamic Relief family to build an increasingly consistent approach across our global family to a wide range of issues and challenges, including the development and implementation of best practices. The closer family bonds of mutual accountability that the new governance has created will make it easier for the entire family to act in unison and adopt more shared policies, processes and standards.
Other benefits of this new governance model include:
Islamic Relief Members are now able to play a more central role in shaping the future of Islamic Relief Worldwide, making the Islamic Relief Family stronger, more efficient, and more united in our mission of lifting communities out of poverty across the world. This new structure maintains the independence of member organisations within our global family with a shared responsibility for the efficient and effective delivery of aid.
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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
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
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.
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.
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.