Find out the latest news about Islamic Relief and our work to assist vulnerable people across the globe
In the heart of East Africa, the confluence of natural disasters and conflict has forced millions from their homes. As Islamic Relief marks World Refugee Day, we turn our attention to the enduring spirit of those who have been displaced. This is the story of Amina and Sacdiya, two mothers whose lives have…
Read moreIslamic Relief is heartbroken to report that 117 children and young people cared for by our Orphan Sponsorship Programme in Gaza are now known to have been killed. In the last 8 months more than 36,000 Palestinian people, including women and children, have been killed in Gaza. The grim death toll continues to…
Read moreMahmudh is a farmer in rural Sri Lanka, living with his wife and adult son. The family rarely enjoys meat, with it being both prohibitively expensive and difficult to find in their area. “Meat holds a special significance for us as it’s considered a ‘rich’ food,” Mahmudh explains. “Although we would love to…
Read moreUm Aloosh lives with her husband, grandmother and 4 children in a camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Iraq. After being shot during a period of violence, Um Aloosh’s husband became paralysed and unable to work, making supporting the family a huge challenge. “I live in extreme poverty, unable to buy basic…
Read moreKosamu, 80, lives with his wife and 3 grandchildren in rural Malawi, where the family is struggling to make ends meet. “Because of my age, I am not able to do any kind of work. I now rely on my wife, who is sacrificing a lot for the family,” says Kosamu, explaining that…
Read moreHeavy rainfall in May triggered unprecedented flash flooding and mudslides in Afghanistan’s northern and western regions. The remote communities swept away by the floods have contributed the least to the climate crisis, yet they are bearing the brunt of the devastating impact, with their lives and livelihoods hanging in the balance. The scale…
Read moreBangladesh is one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries. Those living there are increasingly faced with climate hazards such as natural disasters, and highly specific problems that damage the agriculture sector – including salinity intrusion. Salinity intrusion affects coastal regions, significantly reducing agricultural productivity. Over the past 35 years, this intrusion has surged…
Read moreSomalia is a country ravaged by climate-induced catastrophes and prolonged conflict and is now faces a crisis of unimaginable proportions. The devastating human toll extends beyond numbers and statistics, touching the depths of human suffering in ways that are difficult to comprehend. In the heart of this crisis is Roda*, a single mother…
Read moreIn Somalia, 30-year-old Abdirahman faces a daily struggle to survive. Life in the city of Beledweyne, central Somalia, is tough after years of relentless drought and failed crops. Formerly a pastoralist with a thriving herd of cattle and goats, Abdirahman’s life has been shattered. The loss of his livestock was soon followed by…
Read moreIslamic Relief is expanding our emergency response to help those affected by an enormous cyclone that has laid waste to the Bangladeshi coastline over the past few days. More than 3.7 million people across 19 districts have been affected, with more than 35,000 homes destroyed and a further 115,000 suffering damage. The districts…
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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
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
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.
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.
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.
