Voices from Gaza

Since the unprecedented escalation began in early October 2023, the people of Gaza have endured days and nights of relentless horror.

As the world watches, and calls for a ceasefire have gone unheard, Israel has continued to bombard and besiege Gaza.

A staggering 41,909 people have been killed, and thousands more remain missing. At least a third of those killed are children. Families have been forced to scatter and separate repeatedly as they flee in search of safety, which cannot be found.

The healthcare sector has all but collapsed. With around 90% of the population displaced and trapped in one of the most densely populated areas on Earth, diseases are spreading fast, people are starving to death, and famine looms.

It has been a year of this unending nightmare for the people of Gaza.

Here, we share the words of some of these people, whose communities and lives have been forever changed.

‘A never-ending eviction’

Majdi and his daughter

An astonishing 1.9 million people – 9 out of 10 people – have been displaced, often multiple times, from their homes or so-called safe zo nes since October 2023.

Among them is Majdi*, who fled his village soon after the escalation began. He had lived there since he was born, but when the bombs started to fall near his family’s home, he knew they had to leave.

“It is a never-ending eviction from one hard place to an even harder one. We’ve never rested in the last 9 months… I don’t think we will find any comfort soon.”

Majdi and his family moved 3 times before settling in Rafah, thinking they had finally found safety. Then in May 2024, more bombs started to fall.

“Everything was burnt, including my car, my savings, my wife’s gold bracelets, and everything we managed to gather during our displacement.”

Majdi’s wife, brother and sister were killed during the airstrike. He and everyone else in the family suffered injuries, with his son left in a critical condition.

*Name changed to protect confidentiality

‘It is becoming very hard to help people…’

Islamic Relief distribute medical supplies in the early days of the crisis

Mohammed used to work at a pharmacy in Gaza City before he and his family were forced to flee. Now, he volunteers at a small healthcare point in a shelter in the Middle Area where Islamic Relief has distributed aid, including hot meals.

“There is almost no medicine in stock, or medical supplies. It is becoming very hard to help people who have chronic diseases or need medication. Most of the injuries are to children. They are now living with their families in poor conditions that are not suitable or safe for them. Most cases are broken limbs, cuts or burns.”

‘The worst thing is fetching water’

Islamic Relief’s staff and partners are facing many of the same challenges as the communities we support.

Almost nothing remains of Gaza’s medical infrastructure, the economy has been left in ruins and clean drinking water is increasingly difficult to find, as one of Islamic Relief’s partners describes:

“The worst thing is fetching water,” says Sara*, who works for one of our partner organisations in Gaza.

“It is only connected once every week and we do not have enough containers to collect all the water we need. We use cooking pots, water bottles, and any other container we can find. We have to walk long distances through destruction to reach the water sources.”

*Name changed to protect confidentiality

‘Our life now is like a nightmare’

Before the war, 8-year-old Yomna lived with her family in a flat in the Gaza Strip. Yomna used to enjoy going to school and basketball training but now she spends her days wondering when the next bomb will hit and where her family will find food to eat.

“Before this war, we lived a very good life where we used to go to school, go out and there was no bombing. Then one day I woke up and heard bombing and rockets coming from everywhere.  I did not know what to do – I could not even scream.

“Our life now is like a nightmare. Sometimes when they bomb nearby, I am afraid if someone gets hurt, they will not get help because there are too many people in the hospital. I have changed during these months.” Yomna says, describing things no child should experience.

“I used to think the future would be bright but now I do not think so: our future is very dark.”

‘Every day we wake up hoping someone will put an end to these massacres’

Islamic Relief is supporting orphaned children and their families through our Orphan Sponsorship Programme, which has expanded in Gaza during the crisis.

We are currently sponsoring 16,421 children, including Basma’s daughters, but families continue to struggle in desperate conditions.

“I don’t know what to do. Everything we’re experiencing is written for us but I’m helpless to provide anything for my children,” Basma says.

“The situation is heartbreaking. My children ask for food, and I can only stand helpless in front of them. Every day, we wake up hoping that someone will put an end to these massacres.”

Islamic Relief has supported thousands of people in Gaza with life-saving aid since the start of the crisis. But the needs are great and rapidly increasing as the nightmare in Gaza continues.

Without a permanent ceasefire in the region, and an end to the siege of Gaza, the numbers of dead, injured and traumatised people will only rise.

Please help us to continue our vital work in Gaza. People in Gaza need aid, but they also need political action. Please continue to demand that world leaders act to secure an immediate ceasefire and an end to Israel’s siege.

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.