Livelihoods

Islamic Relief helps those struggling to find work and earn a reliable living to create new, sustainable livelihoods. This helps lift communities and individuals out of poverty and empowers them to become self-reliant.

Supporting communities through sustainable livelihoods

Many people across the globe struggle to find work and earn a reliable living with which to support their families. This makes everyday life a challenge and fosters worry and uncertainty about the future.

Islamic Relief helps to create new sustainable livelihoods, to help lift communities out of poverty and empower them to become self-reliant.

We distribute cash grants and interest-free loans so people can start their own small businesses, as well as providing them with the training and equipment needed to succeed.

In Gaza and Yemen, youth unemployment is rife.  Islamic Relief is by their side, helping to meet their basic needs, improving access to high quality education, and creating and nurturing new livelihoods. This allows them to earn a living to be able to provide food and other essentials to help their families, as well as giving them hope for a brighter future.

We run extensive livelihood projects to help lift families out of poverty. Below are some examples of our projects from across the globe.

Please donate now to help lift communities out of poverty and help empower them to become self-reliant.

Ramadan
Barber shops

We support vulnerable families in Jordan by setting up barber shops in their villages. This allows families to earn a reliable living, and helps to create new jobs and benefit the wider community.

Barber shops also serve as safe social spaces, and are helping to create new connections in the community.

Beekeeping

Islamic Relief are running a project to support Syrian refugees. The project involves providing vulnerable families with beehives, tools and training in beekeeping.

Those benefitting from the project are then taught how to harvest the honey and sell to their local community, as a reliable source of income.

livelihoods
Chicken houses

Islamic Relief run a project to provide vulnerable families with chickens, chicken houses, incubators and training on how to breed and take care of the chickens.

After rearing the chickens, families use the eggs for food, or sell them at a local market for profit. This allows them to buy  important items such as food or school items for their children.

Coconut oil production

In the Philippines, we have established local cooperatives who work together to create a sustainable community enterprise based on virgin coconut oil.

The virgin coconut oil is harvested and sold by the cooperatives, and has created jobs and income for the local community. It’s allowing families to become self-reliant and build a more stable future for themselves.

Fish ponds

Islamic Relief build artificial fish ponds to help create new livelihoods across the globe. The artificial fish ponds allows for intensive fish farming, and help to create new jobs for both fishermen and market sellers.

One fish pond can typically sustain 30 trained fishermen and support 20 women to set up a fish selling business.

This initiative is helping to create reliable sources of income, and a reliable source of food, particularly for communities who have suffered from the effects of climate change.

Goat farms

We work with vulnerable communities to establish goat farms, which serve as a sustainable source of income for local families.

The farms are helping to create new jobs, as staff are needed to rear the goats and sell the meat, milk and cheese produced to their local communities for profit. Staff are also needed to build sheds to house the goats, as well as a well which serves as a water supply.

Some of the produce from Islamic Relief’s goat farms is also donated to local orphanages, to help vulnerable children.

Handicraft training  

We work with local cooperatives, vulnerable families, and women’s enterprises to help them manufacture handicrafts and bring their produce to market. Manufacturing handicrafts enables individuals to generate an income, which is a lifeline for many.

The initiative is helping vulnerable families to break out of the cycle of poverty and build a more stable future.

Livestock rearing

Islamic Relief supports communities with the livestock, training and equipment needed to rear animals such as cows, goats and sheep. We help them to earn a living as they sell meat, milk and other animal-based products to their local communities.

Raspberry farms  

Our organic raspberry farms support hundreds of vulnerable families  and empowers them to become self-reliant.  In Kosovo, our project is benefitting families returning to their homes after they were forced to flee their community, and is enabling them to rebuild their lives.

Sewing machines

Islamic Relief provides some vulnerable women with a sewing machine and training in making clothes. We also provide access for them to sell their goods in stores, ensuring that they can maximise their skills and earning potential.

This initiative is helping to empower women to live dignified lives, free from relying on support from others.

Tree planting

Islamic Relief is planting thousands of trees and providing fast-growing seeds with the help of local people. In the long run, this will help restore environmental balances and ensure that the soil is healthy to grow crops.

What’s more, we also work with communities to rehabilitate degraded land, learn new adaptive farming methods, and improve productivity of grazing lands.

For communities in need, this means they’ll be able to grow more food and secure a stable source of income and nutrition for their families.

Livelihoods
Vocational training

At Islamic Relief, we train those who’ve been unable to gain an education in critical trades such as carpentry, electrical repairs, hairdressing, mobile phone repair, and sewing so they earn a reliable living.

At the end of their training, they can apply for equipment grants, loans, or join existing projects.

They are also helped with business plans and start-up toolkits to ensure that they’re supported every step of the way on their new venture.

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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.