Sadiq’s Journey: From day labourer to entrepreneur  

My name is Shabnam Mohammadi. I work with Islamic Relief Afghanistan as a communication officer. I’m a member of the communication team – a tag team that leans on each other to produce compelling stories like the one I’m about to tell. Bismillah!

Last week, I found myself back in the embrace of my childhood hometown, Bamyan. With its awe-inspiring natural beauty, this city never fails to stir my heart. Standing tall and proud, the snow-capped mountains provide a majestic backdrop to the fields of wheat and potatoes. Sheep graze peacefully, their presence adding to the serene charm of the place. And the people—oh, the people—are the warmest and most welcoming you’ll ever meet, their smiles are a reflection of the beauty surrounding them. It’s this warmth that makes Bamyan truly special.

The story I’m sharing today is a testament to the transformative power of Islamic Relief’s initiatives in my hometown. It’s the story of a young man, Sadiq, whose life was turned around. As I listened to him speak, his words resonated with the hope and change that our work strives to bring to the lives of those we support. His story is a beacon of hope, a testament to the transformative power of our initiatives.

In the heart of Bamiyan city, in a quaint little shop, various traditional pieces of Afghan men’s clothing are displayed on 2 walls. There, I met Sadiq, conversing with his apprentices, a gentle smile gracing his face.

Sadiq, 24, has faced numerous hurdles in his life. He toiled as a daily wage labourer on farms, his hands bearing the brunt of his hard work. His pay was meagre, barely enough to sustain himself, let alone his family. His education was cut short at 14 when he lost his father. The sudden loss threw his future into uncertainty, as he had to leave school to find work as everyone in the family had to find a way to survive.

Shabnam, Islamic Relief’s communication officer, sat down with Sadiq in April 2024 to discuss his journey to success in Bamyan

His journey reminded me of a line from the poem by Warsan Shire, a Somali poet: “No one leaves home unless home is the mouth of a shark”.

Sadiq reluctantly left home to face the world alone. Trying hard to fight back his tears, he continued his story.

“Working in agricultural fields [all year round], was always a source of distress for me. Whether scorching hot or freezing cold, my clothes would inevitably become thick and dusty, and my hands would be covered in painful blisters. As a young boy, seeing others with clean clothes and going to school was particularly embarrassing while I struggled with the dirt and discomfort”.

Despite his struggles, Sadiq’s spirit remained unbroken

In April 2023, a ray of hope entered Sadiq’s life. He was accepted into a 6-month tailoring programme, run by Islamic Relief. He was equipped with an industrial sewing machine, solar panels, and assorted tailoring items once he finished the course. This provided Sadiq with a livelihood and empowered him to apply the skills he had honed during the training, marking a significant turning point in his life.

Sadiq began sewing clothes from home, primarily for his neighbours. With the small savings he made from his fledgling business, Sadiq took a big step—renting a stall in the local market. The monthly rent of the stall was 2,000 Afghanis (approx. £20)—equivalent to an entire month’s income for Sadiq. Despite this imbalance, Sadiq put on a brave face and hoped things would change for the better. Sadiq attracted more customers who liked his fashionable products and was soon making a threefold income.

Sadiq sewing clothes in his tailoring shop in Bamyan in April 2024

“I had no knowledge or skills in this field before learning tailoring. However, after completing the training, I acquired various skills, such as designing and sewing clothes,” says Sadiq.

“At one point, I thought of quitting this business because the profit was only enough to pay the stall rent. I then remembered where I came from. I said to myself, don’t give up. I saw the light, and I started moving towards it”.

Leap of faith

“Suddenly, people came to embrace my business. I was also putting a lot of effort into being as fashionable as possible. I’ll look at online clothing adverts to see what other big tailoring shops in urban cities produce and emulate them. I was now making 8,000 Afghanis (approx. £87). I started to support my family with almost all their basic needs, such as food. Despite paying a monthly rent of 2000 Afghanis for my shop, I find this much more rewarding than working in people’s farms,” says Sadiq.

I asked Sadiq about his future plans. He aims to enhance his tailoring skills, expand his shop, and become a proficient regional tailor and designer. Sadiq was also contemplating moving to one of the 4 big cities in Afghanistan, as profits are higher there.

“I want to express my deep appreciation to Islamic Relief and the donor for their generous support towards the most vulnerable segment of society. I have never dreamt of getting to this level. It’s not my effort alone, but you too,” he says.

Sadiq’s story mirrors the struggles of many Afghans who are doing everything within their means to reach new heights. Unfortunately, some can’t find the ‘starter’ needed to ignite their dreams. Many of our livelihood projects provide such a starter to help people like Sadiq to achieve their full potential.

The project, titled ‘Replicating ALO Model for Socio-Economic Development or Orphaned Families (RASIED) after a successful project piloted in Bangladesh, aims to improve the quality of life and increase the income of the most disadvantaged families in Afghanistan through the provision of livelihood training, such as tailoring, the distribution of tailoring machines, and solar systems. Additionally, families were supported by receiving two pregnant goats, which multiplied tenfold, enabling them to generate income through the sale of goats and improve nutrition for their children by consuming fresh, nutritious milk.

Please help us to support even more people in Afghanistan towards building sustainable livelihoods. 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.