A Quick & Easy Guide to the World Humanitarian Summit

February 23, 2016 -

The World Humanitarian Summit will be held in 2016, and its focus is on innovative ways to respond to the growing humanitarian needs in the country. We explain what it’s all about and why Islamic Relief has been involved in the process from the beginning.

Q: What is the World Humanitarian Summit all about?

A: The World Humanitarian Summit is an initiative from UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon and the first summit will be held from 23-24 May 2016. The summit will bring together governments, humanitarian organisations, people affected by conflict and disaster, and partners including the private sector.

The aim of the World Humanitarian Summit is to set actions and commitments so countries and communities can prepare for emergencies, respond to them, and be more resilient to the effects of them. Organisations will be encouraged to forge new partnerships and launch new initiatives, and showcase innovation. The overall goal is to reduce people’s suffering.

Q: You’ve just said this is the first time it’s been held. Why now?

A: Humanitarian needs across the world are growing. According to the latest Global Humanitarian Assistance Report, USD $24.5 billion were spent on international humanitarian response in 2014. This was up nearly a fifth from the previous year, when spending reached USD $20.5 billion, and is overwhelmingly larger than in 2008, when spending reached USD £15 billion in 2008, and 1998, when it was USD $4.5 billion.

The money spent is indicative of just how many people needed humanitarian support. There is no exact data on the number of people affected by disaster or conflict, but figures from Development Initiatives indicate that in 2014 more than 58 million people had to flee from violence, while 107.3 million people (source: CRED) were affected by disasters such as typhoons or earthquakes.

It is clearly time to bring people together to discuss the growing needs and whether, globally, everybody is responding in the best way.

Q: What in particular will be discussed at the World Humanitarian Summit?

A: There are plenty of topics that could be discussed, from safe humanitarian space all the way to accountability, but the summit is focusing on five “core responsibilities”:

  • Prevent and end conflict (an increased number of conflicts has resulted in an increased number of forcibly displaced people)
  • Respect the rules of war (using explosive weapons in populated areas is a major cause of death, injury, damage and displacement of civilians)
  • Leave no one behind (around the world, about 60 million people fled their homes due to conflict and violence in 2014 – the highest number since the Second World War)
  • Working differently to end need (20% of the world’s population lives in fragile situations. 125m are at risk of being left behind)
  • Invest in humanity (in April 2016, the UN required $20.1 billion to provide life-saving humanitarian assistance to over 88.7 million people)

Q: When is the World Humanitarian Summit, and what difference will it make?

A: The summit is being held from 23-24 May in Istanbul. It is expected to be a platform for new transformative solutions. A new strategic agenda will be drawn up, and, after the summit, this will be turned into a set of actions helping people, communities and countries be better prepared for crises.

Q: Why is it relevant to Islamic Relief’s work?

A: Islamic Relief was set up in 1984 in response to humanitarian need in Sudan. As an organisation, we have responded to many humanitarian emergencies from the Bosnia war, to natural disasters in Haiti, The Philippines, Nepal, and Pakistan, among others.

In 2014, 75 per cent of our annual charitable expenditure was spent on humanitarian needs, including in Iraq, Myanmar, Bangladesh and Syria. We constantly look for ways to help our growing income reach more people in the best ways.

Q: What is Islamic Relief’s involvement in the World Humanitarian Summit?

A: Islamic Relief has taken many opportunities to collect the views of people it works with across the world, and to feed these views into the World Humanitarian Summit consultations.

Imran Madden talking to the group
Imran Madden talking to the group

Islamic Relief and The Humanitarian Forum have been working together to prepare for the summit. Both organisations are interested in framing Muslim-based humanitarian actions. Together we have organised 16 national consultations in Yemen, Tunisia, Jordan, Somalia, Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan, South Africa, Italy, Norway, Canada, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Germany.

Islamic Relief held a sub-regional consultation in Johannesburg, South Africa, covering East and Southern Africa. Following this meeting, national programme manager Bushra Razack spoke at the official UN OCHA regional consultation in Pretoria, feeding in views from community-level consultations held in the continent.

Islamic Relief was invited to become a member of the South and Central Asia Regional Steering Group, and helped organise the regional consultation in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, in July 2015. The group continues to meet. We also participated in the European consultation in Budapest in February 2015, and the global consultation in Geneva in November 2015.

In terms of the summit itself, Islamic Relief plans to focus on faith-based action, climate change, and Islamic financing.

Q: What do the Qur’an and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) say about humanitarian aid?

A: In Islam, humanitarianism is a very broad concept that includes traditional form of charity – including what is now understood as humanitarian aid – and acts of kindness. The Islamic concept of humanitarianism means people are not divided into rich givers and poor receivers, but instead all have the capacity to do good.

You won’t find the word ‘humanitarian’ in translations of the Qur’an. The word ‘humanitarian’ wasn’t used until the nineteenth century, and ‘international humanitarianism’ was not really discussed until after 1915 when an American sociologist called Maurice Parmelee referred to a worldwide community working for the welfare of others. There are numerous Islamic examples of the concept of humanitarianism though, and these, alongside mechanisms such as zakat and waqf, show how humanitarianism is a fundamental principle of Islam.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “When any of you sees anything that is disapproved (of by Allah), let him change it with his hand. If he is not able to do so, then let him change it with his tongue. And if he is not able to do so, then let him change it with his heart, though that is the least of faith.” (Muslim 49)

“A man who fills his stomach while his neighbour is hungry is not a believer.” (al-Tabarani 751)

“They ask you, (Oh Muhammad), what they should spend (in charity). Say: That which you spend for good (must go) to parents and near kindred and orphans and the needy and the wayfarer. And whatsoever good you do; Lo! Allah is Aware of it.” (al-Baqarah 2:215)

“And in their wealth was given the right of the needy and deprived” (adh-Dhariyat 51:19)

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.