Discover insights, experiences, and views from our colleagues and those we serve right across the world
It has been more than 18 months since crisis erupted in Sudan, pushing the country to the verge of famine and creating the world’s biggest displacement crisis. Many of Islamic Relief’s own staff have been deeply affected by the violence, including Abdallah Hassan, a Monitoring and Evaluation (MEAL) officer in Sudan, who shares his…
Read moreOn the second week of COP29, Jamie William’s, Islamic Relief’s Senior Advisor on Poverty Reduction, perceives a lack of urgency incongruent with the pressing demands of the climate emergency. As the world heats, the glaciers at the poles and in the highest mountains are beginning to melt away. Along with so many references…
Read moreAs global leaders gather for COP29 to tackle the urgent climate crisis, Dahir Abdullahi, Islamic Relief’s Communication and External Relations Manager in Afghanistan, is calling for immediate action to address the severe impacts of climate change on vulnerable communities. In the Dehdadi district of Afghanistan’s Balkh province, once barren and dry fields have…
Read moreIslamic Relief’s Senior Policy Advisor on Poverty Reduction, Jamie Williams, reports in as COP29 gets underway in Baku, Azerbaijan. We have to be optimistic. It’s been a hard year in negotiating between countries on how to deal with the climate crisis. We have seen deadlines pass, promises unfulfilled and recently, a distinct feeling…
Read moreIn the demanding world of humanitarian work, professionals often face high-pressure situations, complex challenges, and emotional turmoil. In these environments, technical skills alone are often not enough, and the ability to understand and manage emotions – both one’s own and those of others – becomes crucial. Sheeren Salih, Office and Service Manager for…
Read moreAs country delegates congregate again at the 29th Conference of Parties (COP) to the United Nations climate change convention, Islamic Relief will be there. We will be supporting with other’s efforts to achieve the most basic commitment to mitigating the climate breakdown that is upon us: Eliminating carbon emissions by ending the exploitation…
Read moreEditor’s note: Over the last year our colleague in Gaza has submitted at least 50 blogs detailing his experiences under bombardment. While the blogs have been anonymised for his safety, they have formed a deeply personal window into not only the daily lives of his family, but also his darkest thoughts and most…
Read moreAs the escalation in Lebanon worsens, Jad Assaf, Senior Humanitarian Programmes Officer with Islamic Relief Lebanon, discusses the challenges faced by those displaced by the crisis. The current escalation of Israeli attacks on Lebanon has created a humanitarian situation even worse than the Beirut Port explosion in terms of the numbers of internally…
Read moreAs Islamic Relief publishes a new learning paper on safeguarding, our Safeguarding Project Coordinator Bushra Rehman discusses key insights gained from an event bringing together Islamic Relief colleagues from 11 countries. In recent years, the importance of safeguarding has gained significant traction in the humanitarian and development sectors. In 2022, Islamic Relief launched…
Read moreWhere can we go and what should we take? An Islamic Relief aid worker* in Gaza describes the excruciating decisions his family face as they prepare to flee, again. In October, the Israeli bombardment forced my family to evacuate our home. Like so many others, we headed south. My mother took us in,…
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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.
