#CeasefireNow: Open Call for an Immediate Ceasefire

October 18, 2023 Occupied Palestinian Territory -

Islamic Relief has joined other dozens of major organisations around the world in signing this joint call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Israel

#CeasefireNow: Open Call for an Immediate Ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and Israel to Prevent a Humanitarian Catastrophe and Further Loss of Innocent Lives

We have witnessed unfathomable death and destruction in the Gaza Strip and Israel. Thousands of people have been killed, injured, displaced, and nearly two hundred remain held hostage, including children and elderly.

In Gaza, the UN has said that water, food, fuel, medical supplies, and even body bags, are running out due to the siege. The UN warned that people – particularly young children – will soon start dying of severe dehydration. Neighbourhoods have been destroyed and turned into complete rubble. Palestinians in search of safety have nowhere to go. Many of those who relocated from northern Gaza to the south after the relocation order by the Israeli army were reportedly bombed as they attempted to flee or once they arrived in southern Gaza.  

The events of the last week have led us to the precipice of a humanitarian catastrophe and the world can no longer wait to act. It is our collective responsibility.

On Sunday, October 15th, the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator to the Occupied Palestinian Territory appealed to all parties to the conflict, and to Member States with influence, to urgently agree to a humanitarian ceasefire.

Today, we put our voices together and call on all Heads of State, the UN Security Council, and actors on the ground, to prioritize the preservation of human life above all else. During this ceasefire, we call on all parties to unconditionally:

  1. Facilitate the delivery of lifesaving assistance, including food, medical supplies, fuel, and the resumption of electricity and internet to Gaza, in addition to safe passage of humanitarian and medical staff  
  2. Free all civilian hostages, especially children and elderly
  3. Allow humanitarian convoys to reach UN facilities, schools, hospitals, and health facilities in northern Gaza and commit to protecting them along with the civilians and staff inside them at all times
  4. Rescind orders by the Government of Israel for civilians to depart northern Gaza
  5. Allow patients in critical condition to be medically evacuated for urgent care

The UN Security Council, the UN Secretary General and all world leaders with influence must take immediate action to ensure a ceasefire comes into effect. It remains our only option to avert further loss of civilian life and humanitarian catastrophe. Anything less will forever be a stain on our collective conscience.

Civilians are not bargaining chips. Families need a chance to bury and mourn their dead. The cycle of violence against innocent civilians needs to stop.

Signatories

11.11.11

38 Degrees

50:50 NI

ABCD Bethlehem

Abductees Mothers Association

Action Against Hunger

Action Corps

Action For Humanity

ActionAid International

Africans Rising

Afro-Middle East Centre

Agriculture Developmrnt Associations PARC

Al Basma Club for the Disabled

Alliance Internationale -AIDL

Alquds center for Political Studies

Americans for Justice in Palestine Action (AJP Action)

Americares

Amos Trust

Anera

Arab foundation for civil society and human rights

Arab NGO Network for Development

Asamblea de Cooperación por la Paz

Asociación Otra Escuela

Association of War Affected Women

Avaaz

Baptist Union of Wales

Belgian Academics and Artists for Palestine

bina

Bond, the UK network for INGOs

Broederlijk Delen

Bytes For All, Pakistan

Caesar Families Association

CAFOD

Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies

Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME)

Carolina Peace Center

CCFD-Terre Solidaire

Ceasefire Centre for Civilian Rights

Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC)

Center for Human Rights in Iran

Center for Peace Education, Miriam College

Centre for human Rights & Civic Education (CHRICED)

Centre for Peace Research and Advocacy -CPRA

CESVI

cfd – The feminist Peace Organisation

Change Horizons Forum

ChildFund Alliance

Christian Aid

Christian Aid Ireland

Church World Service

Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP)

CIDSE

CISP

CISS – COOPERAZIONE INTERNAZIONALE SUD SUD

CIVICUS

CNCD-11.11.11

Coalition Against Trafficking in Women Asia Pacific

COPE Cooperazione Paesi Emergenti

COSPE

Council for Arab-British Understanding

Council on American-Islamic Relations

CRIC – Centro Regionale d’Intervento per la Cooperazione ETS

Culturel Center Beethoven Bettounssi

DanChurchAid

Daraj Media

DC Peace Team

Defense Foundation for Rights and Freedom

Denis Hurley Peace Institute

Diverse Voices and Action (DIVA) for Equality

EL SPACE

Embrace the Middle East

Entraide & Fraternité

Episcopal Relief & Development

Escola de Cultura de Pau (School for a Culture of Peace)

Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor

European Centre for the Responsibility to Protect

European Centre for the Responsibility to Protect (ECR2P)

Fédération Internationale pour les droits humains (FIDH)

Feminist Task Force

Foundation for Human Rights Initiative (FHRI)

Friends Committee on National Legislation

Friends of Nablus and Surrounding areas (FONSA)

Fundación Cultura de Paz

FUNDACIÓN MUNDUBAT

Futuro en Común

Gandhi Development Trust Phoenix Settlement Trust

Gender Action for Peace and Security

Gender Advisory Team

Genera: Red de mujeres feministas por la equidad de género en el desarrollo

Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect

Global Communities

Global Justice Center

Global Justice Now

Global Network of Women Peacebuilders (GNWP)

Global Rights

GPPAC Pacific-Pacific Women Mediators Network

Haliéus

Health Poverty Action

HEKS/EPER – Swiss Church Aid

Helen Suzman Foundation

HelpAge Interational

HIAS

Human Rights & Democracy Media Center ‎‏“‏SHAMS‏”‏

Human Rights Sentinel

ICNA

ICNA Council for Social Justice

ICNA Council for Social Justice (ICNA CSJ)

IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation

IM Swedish Development Partner

Ina autra senda – Swiss Friends of Combatants for Peace

Institute for Security Studies

International Federation for Human Rights

INTERSOS

Islamic Center of Detroit

Islamic Relief

Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions UK- UK

Jewish Network for Palestine

Jewish Voice for Democracy and Justice in Israel/Palestine jvjp, Switzerland

Jusoor Center for Studies and Development

Kairos Palestine

Kairos Palestine Sweden

Kenya Human Rights Commission

KURVE Wustrow – Centre for Training and Networking in Nonviolent Action e.V.

La Coordinadora de ONGD -España

Lawyers for Palestinian Human Rights

Liberian Energy Network

Ligue Algérienne de Défense des Droits de l’Homme – LADDH

Lutheran World Federation

MADRE

Marib Girls Foundation

Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns

MDM Network

Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP)

medico international

medico international schweiz

Mennonite Central Committee U.S.

Mercy Corps

Mercy-USA for Aid and Development

Middle East and North Africa Partnership for Preventing of Armed Conflict – MENAPPAC

Middle East Children’s Alliance

Migrant Roots Media

Min Haqi Foundation to empower women politically and economically

Missionaries of the Sacred Heart Justice and Peace Centre (Australian Province)

Mouvement Social

Musaala Organization for Human Rights

Muslim Aid

Muslim Legal Fund of America

Mwatana for Human Rights

Naseef Muallem

National Cancer Control Foundatin – Yemen

Network of the independent Commission for Human rights in North Africa CIDH AFRICA

NGO SPES

NGOs Platform of Saida – Tajamoh

Nobel Women’s Initiative

Nonviolence Network in the Arab Countries

Nonviolent Peaceforce

Nophotozone

North American Imams Fellow

Norwegian Refugee Council

Palestinian Human Rights Organisation “PHRO”

PAX

Pax Christi Australia

Pax Christi USA

Peace Direct

Peace Organization for Peaceful Coexistence

Permanent Peace Movement

Piattaforma OSC italiane in Medio Oriente e Mediterraneo

Plateforme des ONG françaises pour la Palestine

Première Urgence Internationale

Project on Middle East Democracy

Protection Approaches

PVE for Peace

Rebuilding Alliance

ReThinking Foreign Policy

Revista La Mar de Onuba

Right to Movement Palestine

Romanian Peace Institute – PATRIR

Roshanka

Sabeel

Sabeel Kairos Norway

Sabeel-Kairos UK

SALAM NGO

SAM Organization for Rights and Libertie

Sanad alBasra Organization for Human Rights

SB Overseas Soutien Belge

Secours Islamique France (SIF)

SEEN.TV

Seenaryo

Sheba Youth Foundation

Shining Star educational organization of Afghanistan

Social Development Hodeida Girls Foundation

Solutions for a Small Planet

SOS Children’s Villages Palestine

Study sky academy

SUDS – International association of solidarity and cooperation

Syrian American Medical Society

Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR).

Syrians for Truth and Justice

Tamkeen for Legal Aid and Human Rights

Tanzania Community Health Information and Support

Terre des Hommes Italia

The Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation

The Episcopal Church

The Foundation for Middle East Peace

The Khalifa Ihler Institute

The Mosque Cares | Ministry of Imam W. Deen Mohammed

The Palestinian Return Centre

UJFP ACAT

UK-Palestine Mental Health Network

United Against Inhumanity

United Nations Association – UK

University Network for Human Rights

UOSSM International

US Council of Muslim Organizations (USCMO)

Vento di Terra

Viva Salud

Vrede vzw

War Child Sweden

War on Want

Welfare Association (UK)

WESPAC Foundation, Inc.

WeWorld

WeWorld – Member of ChildFund Alliance

Womankind Worldwide

Women for Peace

Women for Women International

Women in Black Vienna

Women Political Alliance – Kenya

Women’s Center for Legal Aid and Counselling (WCLAC)

Women’s Institute for Leadership Development

Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom UK

Women’s International Peace Centre

Womens Refugee Commission

Worldwide Women’s Forum

Yemen Relief and Reconstruction Foundation

Youth Vision Society

Youths Volunteering for Sustainable Development (YOVSUD)

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.