Islamic Relief releases exciting interactive resource to mark 40 years of service

January 17, 2024 Global -

Marking 40 years of serving humanity, Islamic Relief has released a treasure trove of previously unpublished stories and photographs.

In 1984, Dr Hany El-banna and fellow students from the University of Birmingham, UK, founded Islamic Relief and today, we mark 40 years of helping some of the world’s most vulnerable people.

Throughout the years we have been a truly unique humanitarian agency, often providing aid and development interventions where others cannot.

Moved by the plight of families affected by the Sudan famine of 1984, we arose from a determination to save lives. A small boy in Cairo, Egypt, entrusted us with his 20p pocket money – and from there, enormous impact grew. By 1985, Islamic Relief had raised over £100,000 to respond to the famine in Africa.

In the 90s we were a lifeline on the ground as the Bosnian War raged, and war erupted in the Chechen Republic and Kosova too.

We were one of the few aid agencies operating in Iraq during the conflict in 2003. Among the first to respond with lifesaving aid when the Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami struck in 2004, we committed to supporting devastated communities to build back better.

When conflict erupted in Gaza again in 2014, we were on the ground to help vulnerable people. When Pakistan suffered the worst floods in living memory, Islamic Relief provided emergency support before pivoting to long-term programmes to assist in rebuilding devastated regions.

Today Islamic Relief Worldwide is among the world’s largest relief and development charities. With global headquarters in Birmingham, UK, it is the international office of the Islamic Relief federation, which operates in more than 40 countries. In 2022 alone, we ploughed over £193 million into emergency aid, long-term development, and campaigning for change that directly helped over 17.3 million people.

At the start of our 40 years of saving and changing lives, we have launched new interactive resources to make it easier for our supporters to trace the history of Islamic Relief.

Trusted to deliver

The new interactive elements of our website explore the detailed history of Islamic Relief.

The first resource of its kind, we have developed an interactive timeline packed with facts, quotes and images covering the width and breadth of Islamic Relief’s 40 years of existence.

Covering major milestones from the opening of our first offices in Birmingham, to our lifesaving and life-changing work, the timeline is a result of months of exhaustive research. Our staff have trawled through the archives and consulted with past and present staff and volunteers to unearth images and stories that have never been published before.

The clickable world map covers every country in which Islamic Relief operates. Clicking on a country details how our operations began in that country and shares stories about Islamic Relief’s impact over the years.

Throughout 2024 we will also be sharing memories from our past. Every day throughout the year, we will be highlighting an event, a story or a moment from Islamic Relief’s history – celebrating accomplishments of our programmes and our staff or perhaps highlighting a significant worldwide event that impacted our organisation in some way.

All of these elements combined allow us to tell the story of the 40 years of serving humanity, with the support of our incredible staff, donors, volunteers, and partners around the world.

Celebrating a milestone

From humble beginnings, Islamic Relief has come a long way – unfortunately, we are needed now more than ever.

“To be where we are today, to see how we have grown as an organisation and as a family from such small beginnings is truly amazing. It is a testament to everyone who has ever worked or volunteered for Islamic Relief,” says Islamic Relief Worldwide’s Chief Executive Officer, Waseem Ahmed.

“We also wouldn’t be where we are today without our generous supporters. I want to say a heartfelt thank you to anyone who has ever supported our efforts to end poverty and suffering.

“Islamic Relief has grown into a truly global relief and development agency and unfortunately, today we are needed more than ever. Our own brave, dedicated staff are among those to have been affected by the conflict in Gaza and Sudan. From the Horn of Africa to Yemen, Syria and beyond, the global hunger war and the climate related crisis are pushing the world’s most vulnerable to the edge of survival.

“So as we reflect on our 40 years of serving humanity, we do so with renewed determination to assist families in crisis, and tackle the root causes of poverty and inequality, for good.”

Throughout 2024, we will be announcing more events and plans to celebrate our 40th anniversary.

As we begin our 40th year, Islamic Relief thanks you for your support, and urges you to continue to stand with us as we continue our desperately needed work. Please donate today.

Header image caption:

Horrifying violence takes place in Rwanda in 1994, with Islamic Relief launching an appeal to support humanitarian aid efforts. Later known as the Rwandan genocide, the devastation caused means Islamic Relief will continue providing aid to refugees well into late 1996. This photograph, taken in 1997, shows Rwandan refugees returning home from Rusumo on the Rwanda/ Tanzania border.

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.