Heartbreak for Palestinian families returning to the ruins of northern Gaza

Ordered to flee northern Gaza in the past 15 months, Palestinian families have spent many terrible months longing for safety and home. The much hoped for ceasefire has prompted many families to begin their journey home. But for most, more heartbreak lies ahead.

This week, hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians are making a long, difficult walk home after Israeli troops lifted their closure of northern Gaza as part of the ceasefire agreement.

Many of those making the historic journey have been repeatedly displaced in a desperate search for safety during 15 terrifying months of Israeli attacks on Gaza.

Meeting Islamic Relief aid workers handing out water and food along the route, they describe their exhaustion and grief. Everyone has experienced loss: the death toll in Gaza now exceeds 47,000, with over 15,000 children among the dead, as well as thousands of women, health workers, and aid workers.

Around 10,000 people are missing, presumed dead among the rubble of what remains of Gaza.

Islamic Relief aid workers give water to people journeying home to northern Gaza
Islamic Relief aid workers give water to people journeying home to northern Gaza

As they walk, there is joy in homecoming, and hope for lasting peace – but also fear of what lies at the end of their journey. Many of the returning families will find only debris where their houses and apartments once stood, their neighbours gone, their communities wiped from the map.

A staggering 92% of homes in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed, as well as 94% of health facilities and 88% of schools. Islamic Relief staff are among those who have found their homes in ruins.

Islamic Relief aid worker Tarek’s return home

Our colleague Tarek was among those making the journey home this week.

“After the ceasefire and the agreement to the return of the displaced, we were able to take a deep breath. We decided as a family to return to Gaza, to our homes and streets,” says Tarek, who was displaced with his family 447 days ago, “where we bid farewell to the life of tents and shelter centres.

“[Before] nothing was available in the local markets. Even the tents were flooded with rain, and most of the time people’s clothes and bedding were soaked and they couldn’t protect their children from the cold and rain. Their lives were full of fear, sadness, loss, and blood,” recalls Tarek, who made the difficult journey home on foot with his wife and 5 children.

We were walking among hundreds of thousands of people. Among us were children, women, older people, and people with disabilities. Walking was very, very slow due to the overcrowding. [It] took us 3 hours of walking, but we didn’t care, we only looked forward to security, safety, stability and a return home to a good life. We arrived… thank Allah, [and] met our work colleagues with longing after a separation of more than 15 months,” says Tarek, who had an emotional reunion with other Islamic Relief aid workers who he invited to accompany him as he continued homeward.

“We started walking [again] until we reached my home,” says Tarek, adding that despite the devastation he saw everywhere, he held onto hope that the apartment he longed for, “would be in good condition.”  

Travelling along roads pockmarked with damage and streets lined with debris, his dread grew as he took in the full extent of the devastation inflicted on his neighbourhood.

“The area we lived in was one of the most beautiful areas and now it’s bricks and rubble. I was astonished by the horror of the scenery and the severity of the destruction. There wasn’t a single house that was not destroyed,” he says, noting that hope flared when he reached his apartment building.

“From the first look at the building from the outside, the building looked fine. There were some bricks and minor damage, but it wasn’t very clear. So I started climbing the stairs of the building, with my boys.

“Everyone was telling me, may Allah compensate you for your home… I did not pay attention to them, I kept going up the stairs until I reached the apartment and found it a mass of rubble. Honestly, the scene was so terrible.

Tarek takes in the ruins of what was, 15 months ago, his family home

“Of course, I had brought the key to the apartment with me – the key remained but not the apartment. I was hoping to tell my wife and children that the house is fine, and here I am coming back to bring you home. [But] I was shocked at the state of the apartment, there was nothing left.

“Alhamdulillah, our situation is like that of many other people. Allah willing, I will look for another house to rent to reunite my family and we will live, Allah willing, and create beautiful and new memories, and a better future, Allah willing.”

Islamic Relief and our local partners have been among the first organisations to support with clearing rubble from the streets after the ceasefire came into place. The enormous task, which began last week, is sombre and painstaking: bodies, as well as landmines and other unexploded ordnance, lie within the debris.

Islamic Relief has worked in Gaza for nearly 30 years

We have been on the ground in Gaza for nearly 30 years, providing a lifeline to ordinary families facing the devastating effects of occupation, blockade and recurring conflict. Over the decades, we have built a relationship of trust with the communities we serve, as well as with local partners, with whom we work wherever possible to strengthen civil society.

Our Gaza team have consistently been among the first to respond to emergencies with lifesaving aid, and this latest, horrific escalation, has been no different. Our dauntless local staff and partners have stepped forward, despite the dangers.

Islamic Relief and local partners clear debris along Gaza streets

Islamic Relief continues providing lifesaving aid while beginning crucial recovery programme

Thanks to our generous donors, during the last 15 months of relentless atrocities Islamic Relief has been able to deliver lifesaving emergency aid to Palestinians in dire need. Our interventions have included providing hot meals and food packs, clean water, soap and hygiene items, portable toilets and cleaning, and psychosocial support for traumatised children. We have also massively scaled up our Orphan Sponsorship Programme to help care for even more children in dire need.

Our humanitarian projects continue, and now – with the ceasefire offering a much-needed glimmer of hope – we are also standing with Palestinians as they begin the huge undertaking of rebuilding their shattered lives and communities.

According to the United Nations, rebuilding Gaza will cost $50 billion and could take 350 years. Islamic Relief is beginning a programme of recovery interventions, which will include:

  • providing shelter to families now without homes
  • helping people to earn a living and meet their basic needs
  • repairing schools and supporting children to access education again
  • repairing medical facilities
  • repairing facilities for people with special needs and disabilities
  • orphan and child welfare and psychosocial support activities.

Islamic Relief has worked tirelessly to ease suffering in Gaza and, thanks to your support, we won’t stop. Please give generously to our Palestine Emergency Appeal to support our work now and throughout the recovery.

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.