One million people across the globe will get safe deliveries of food this month, insha’Allah

Home One million people across the globe will get safe deliveries of food this month, insha’Allah
April 30, 2020 -

As coronavirus devastates lives and livelihoods, this Ramadan many people are relying on Islamic Relief more than ever. Zaheer Afzal reveals how we’re adapting our Ramadan distributions to safely provide food to almost one million people in need.

Zaheer Afzal, Seasonal Programmes Manager for Islamic Relief Worldwide.

Every year since 1984, Islamic Relief has given food to vulnerable families at Ramadan, reaching 908,000 people in the holy month last year.

It’s always a joyful occasion for the families. Some wear their best clothes or traditional attire when they come to the distribution point to collect their parcels. They’ll spend time chatting with us and exchange pleasantries, happy to be freed from worry about feeding their family during the month of fasting.

Just weeks ago, before the spectre of coronavirus, our teams around the world were looking forward to starting our Ramadan food distributions, as we do every year. Our incredible staff and volunteers love the opportunity to spend this special time in the communities we serve throughout the year.

But this Ramadan is different. It is unlike any other in the history of Islamic Relief.

Families need help, now more than ever

As coronavirus reaches communities worldwide, our Ramadan food parcels are needed more desperately than ever. Many people will have fallen sick or lost loved ones to COVID-19. Countless families have seen their incomes plummet or disappear altogether, as work dries up and lockdowns prevent them from earning a living.

The holy month is still a time of joy, as we spend the blessed month drawing closer to God. But it is also a time of great anxiety and suffering – especially in the poorest households. Already on the edge of survival, they are least able to cope with this public health emergency and desperately need help.

Islamic Relief will not fail them, insha’Allah.

Our team in Lebanon packs food parcels for distribution.

We have been hard at work to adapt our Ramadan distributions to ensure we can still get food parcels to the families that need them – and that we do so safely without endangering our staff or the people and communities we serve.

It is a massive undertaking because the situation is different in each of the 31 countries covered by our Ramadan programme this year.

In some countries there are no restrictions on movement; others are starting to tentatively ease restrictions while others still – such as Indonesia, Kenya, and Lebanon – remain in full or partial lockdown.

We’re delivering food safely

Islamic Relief is working closely with the authorities in each country to make sure we adhere to their COVID-19 guidelines. Fortunately, in most countries we are able to distribute food packs while observing social distancing.

Usually we distribute food packs in the first 10 days of Ramadan but this year we’re doing things differently to avoid generating large gatherings of people. Our distribution period is being extended so it is spread across 4-6 weeks – with more dates, we can have fewer people attending at a time. We’re also offering people time slots for people to collect their parcels and encouraging them to come alone to avoid overcrowding.

In countries such as Bosnia and Herzegovina we are taking food parcels direct to people’s doors whilst in places like Kosova we are working with national postal services so food parcels are delivered directly to families at home. And where this is not possible, such as in Ethiopia and Sudan, we’re issuing vouchers so families can collect food from the suppliers with whom we’ve made arrangements.

Wearing personal protective equipment, Islamic Relief drop off food parcels for some families in Kosova.

Your donations are reaching the most vulnerable

In these difficult times I’m inspired by the continued generosity of our supporters who are allowing us to reach people’s homes, across countries and continents, to help those less fortunate during the holy month.

Thanks to our big-hearted donors, we’re adapting to the challenges that COVID-19 is throwing at us.

And, crucially, we’re doing so safely. Our priority is and always will be the welfare of those we serve and our dedicated staff and volunteers.

Help Islamic Relief ease the suffering of some of the world’s most vulnerable families during the holy month. Donate to our Ramadan Appeal now.

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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.