Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan commends Islamic Relief’s work

December 5, 2019 Pakistan -

Islamic Relief’s CEO has met with the Prime Minister of Pakistan and other leading figures in a visit designed to deepen our positive impact in the country.

Prime Minister Imran Khan commends Islamic Relief

In a meeting with CEO Naser Haghamed on 2 December, Prime Minister Imran Khan commended the role played by Islamic Relief in supporting the socio-economic development of Pakistan. He especially noted our work in health, post disaster and disaster risk reduction, water and sanitation, education and climate change.

He shared his vision of inclusive and sustainable development of all segments of the society without any discrimination, and encouraged Islamic Relief to partner with the government’s flagship Ehsaas programme, aimed at poverty alleviation and social protection.

Naser Haghamed and Islamic Relief Pakistan’s Country Director, Umair Hasan (right) meet with Prime Minister Khan.

Naser appreciated the Prime Minister’s vision and assured him that we will continue to contribute towards the well-being of Pakistanis through projects conceived and developed in consultation with the Government, and in line with the Government’s priorities.

“The Prime Minister spoke highly of Islamic Relief,” said Naser. “He remembered that we raised funds for his cancer hospital as well as our work in Bosnia and other places.

“We discussed Islamic Relief’s work in Pakistan, and [I found him] very knowledgeable about the work of non-governmental organisations and the challenges we face. We also talked about Islamic Relief piloting a project to tackle child abuse using our Channels of Hope methodology.”

President Dr Arif Alvi welcomed Islamic Relief’s contribution to development

President Dr Arif Alvi with Islamic Relief CEO Naser Haghamed at the presidential palace in Islamabad.

Naser also met with the President, Dr Arif Alvi, at the presidential palace, Aiwan-e-Sadr. The President said the government believed in inclusive and sustainable development and invited Islamic Relief to support the ongoing Ehsaas Undergraduate Scholarship Programme of Higher Education Commission.

President Alvi appreciated the role played by Islamic Relief Worldwide and urged Islamic Relief to help the government provide free health services.

Resilience top of agenda in meeting with National Disaster Management Authority

Naser Haghamed, accompanied by Islamic Relief Pakistan’s Country Director, Umair Hasan (right), with Lieutenant General Muhammad Afzal (left).

A meeting with Lieutenant General Muhammad Afzal, Chairman of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), focused on our resolve to continue working with communities to build a safer and resilient Pakistan. The Chairman appreciated the efforts made by Islamic Relief to address the core humanitarian challenges in the country.

Top officials come together to talk about Islamic Relief’s impact in Pakistan

At a special reception held during the visit, the Managing Director of Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal lauded our work.

“Islamic Relief Pakistan is strengthening the vulnerable community through orphan sponsorship for children, while tangible efforts have been taken for empowering widows through skill development,” he told guests including Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Muhammad Hamza Shafqaat and Deputy Head of DFID Pakistan Kemi Williams.

Ambassadors, UN and government officials also attended alongside leading sector experts.

Naser Haghamed meets some of the young people to have benefited from Islamic Relief’s orphan sponsorship scheme.

The trip included an appearance on Pakistan Television Network (PTV), in which the CEO was interviewed about the role of faith inspired charities in tackling poverty and suffering.

CEO Naser Haghamed and Pakistan Television Network presenters on set moments before broadcast.

Islamic Relief is transforming lives in Pakistan

Naser also visited some of our life-changing projects in:

  • Khyber Pakhtunwha, where local people told him how Islamic Relief has created opportunities in their communities and the Provincial Minister for Education Me. Atif Khan welcomed our empowering work in the tribal regions. The CEO also met key individuals from government, academia and UN agencies.
  • Azad Jammu and Kashmir, where he saw Islamic Relief water filtration plants and spent time at a health unit and schools which we have repaired. Naser met with local people working together in community groups brought together by Islamic Relief, urging them to make sure their groups are inclusive.
  • Rawalpindi, where highlights included meeting people helped by an Islamic Relief scheme which gives working children an informal education. It also helps their families to earn an income so their children don’t need to work. “I was inspired by the mothers I met,” said Naser, “They are determined that once they have a steady income they will send their children to school.” Empowering women was a key theme, as Naser met women learning vocational skills through which they can lift themselves and their families out of poverty.

Expanding our work – and our impact – in Pakistan

Islamic Relief has been working in Pakistan since 1992, and our CEO is determined that we continue to deliver strong outcomes for the vulnerable people we serve.

“I’m encouraged by how strong Islamic Relief’s reputation is in Pakistan,” said Naser on his return to the UK earlier this week. “The breadth and depth of our work in the country has increased since my last visit, when our focus was largely on lifting people out of poverty.

“We are now empowering communities to push for positive, lasting change. Communities trust us, and government and key institutions want to work with us. We work in areas that other international non-governmental organisations cannot access,” he added, explaining that Islamic Relief plans to expand operations into two new districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and, aligning with the government’s strategy, do more to tackle climate change.

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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.