On This Earth There is That Which Deserves Life: Looking back on a special Ramadan in Jordan

In his first blog, Khaled Al-Wakeel, regional media creator for the Middle East, recounts his first Ramadan with Islamic Relief spent photographing food distributions and other activities in Jordan.

Ramadan is a special time of year for Muslims all around the world. And in Amman, Jordan, where I am based, it has its own special traditions, atmosphere and even tastes. For billions of people worldwide, this time of year is dedicated to prayer, charity, and reflection.

But I had the privilege of experiencing Ramadan in a unique way this year. I’ve been working with Islamic Relief for 9 months now, so this was my first Ramadan with the organisation, and our offices in Jordan were all decorated with beautiful Ramadan decorations.

Since I’ve started working here, I am constantly reminded of the importance of pulling together as colleagues, and also as people, in everything we aspire to do working in the field as humanitarians.

This year’s Ramadan was special because I had the opportunity to go on a couple of field trips with the team in Jordan to distribute food parcels, vouchers and Zakat Al-Fitr gifts.

Ramadan decorations in the Islamic Relief office in Amman, Jordan

The food parcels and vouchers were given to refugees and vulnerable families, including those of orphaned children, in more than 13 locations, providing food for more than 6,560 families in Jordan.

As we made our way between those different locations, many far away from bustling Amman, I couldn’t help but be struck by the feeling of communities living almost in parallel worlds within the same country.

It was a sobering reminder of the great need that still exists in our world, and in this part of the world specifically. It was also a reminder of the importance of being human, really wanting to do good in the world and provide as much as help as possible to whomever you can, whenever you can.

‘Ramadan Kareem’

As we handed out food parcels to the families we met in northern cities of Jordan – Al-Mafraq and Irbid – we were met with gratitude and humility. Despite the difficulties they face on a daily basis, everyone we met remained hopeful and kept wishing us, the staff of Islamic Relief Jordan, “Ramadan Kareem,” which translates to ‘a generous Ramadan to you’ in English.

I remember meeting an old woman, probably my grandmother’s age, who described her dire situation to me. As a widow and a mother of 3 orphans, she said the parcel would certainly cover her food needs during the month of Ramadan.

And yet, despite her difficulties, the woman still smiled and cracked a joke with me, asking if I was married or had kids. Her resilience and strength were truly inspiring, and I couldn’t help but feel humbled by her kindness and duas (prayers), as I am sure that you would too if you had the chance to listen to all of her stories.

Every interaction the team and I had on those days was full of humanity; of  individuals meeting each other from opposite poles – one of need and one of  trying not only to meet that need, but to affirm and reassure those honourable families and individuals that they are seen and that they are not forgotten.

Resilience in verse

My last interaction was during one of the final distributions I visited, which was during the last 10 days of Ramadan. It was to give Eid Al-Fitr to the families of orphaned children sponsored by Islamic Relief, and Eid gifts to kids, while organising a small event where they danced and socialised.

The innocence of the dancing children reminded me of my own childhood, but one moment in particular stood out. During the distribution, one of the kids we met, a little girl, recited a poem by the Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish. It was titled On This Earth There Is That Which Deserves Life, and it speaks of the importance of hope and resilience in the face of adversity.

A young girl reciting a poem at an Islamic Relief event

The girl recited the poem with such conviction and passion that it surprised all of us. Her choice of poem, the ability of one so young to memorise it and the truly irrepressible spirit with which she recited it made a deep impression on everyone there.

Now that Ramadan has come to an end, I am reminded of the blessings that I have been given, and of the responsibility that comes with them. I feel grateful for the opportunity to be a part of an organisation like Islamic Relief that can make a difference in the lives of those we serve.

May we all continue to strive for compassion and kindness, and may we never forget the great need that still exists in our world today. Perhaps, while we sit in silence to reflect on our blessings we might think about how we can help those in need. Together, we can be the change we want to see in this world.

Khaled is one of our new regular bloggers. Each month, he’ll share stories from his work at Islamic Relief.

Please help Islamic Relief to continue the life-saving work we do in Jordan and around the world. Donate now.

BROWSE OTHER OPINIONS

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.