Discover insights, experiences, and views from our colleagues and those we serve right across the world
This International Day of Peace, Islamic Relief’s Conflict Advisor, Dr Sylvia Brown, and Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding Programme Manager, Ms Mousumi Saikia, point out that youth have a critical role to play in building peaceful communities. Throughout the world, more than 600 million young people live in fragile and conflict-affected contexts today. Yet…
Read moreDr Mohammed Kroessin, head of our Islamic Microfinance Business Unit, discusses using Sharaka Bil Mawashi for Udhiyya. In many countries, livestock is for poor and rich people a store of value and a source of income-generation. In a Muslim setting, the ritual sacrifice during Eid Al Adha — the qurbani or Udhiyya —…
Read moreCovid-19 could – and should – be a catalyst for building a just and equal world, with faith actors like Islamic Relief having much to contribute says Pragya Adhikari, Islamic Relief Programme Officer in Nepal. Last week I was a lead speaker at an International Partnership on Religion and Sustainable Development (PaRD) annual…
Read moreThe Covid-19 crisis is like a snowball that keeps expanding. I worry it may become an avalanche that engulfs us all, warns Muneeb Abu-Ghazaleh, Country Director of Islamic Relief in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The blockade on Gaza has caused much suffering over the years, but it had one unexpected benefit: it helped…
Read moreIslamic Relief’s Dr Mohammed Kroessin, head of our Islamic Microfinance Business Unit, warns that years of supporting progress out of poverty is in jeopardy. Arguably, microfinance — the provision of small loans, credit, investments and insurance to unbanked people — directly serves poverty reduction like no other Islamic finance instrument. Many of the…
Read moreIslamic Relief’s Martin Cottingham reflects on a World Humanitarian Day unlike any other, as our inspiring humanitarian heroes face down Covid-19 to help vulnerable people. Levis Mwalimu stood for everything that is brightest and best about Islamic Relief. This modest and unassuming young Kenyan was passionate about serving humanity. He worked as a…
Read moreThis World Humanitarian Day highlights the humanitarian heroes putting themselves on the Covid-19 frontline to help vulnerable people. Here Islamic Relief’s Essa Tahir reflects on the challenges and risks he and his team face as they continue delivering vital aid in Balochistan. When news of the coronavirus outbreak in China started filtering through…
Read morePublic health systems have been overwhelmed by the Covid-19 pandemic, especially in low-income countries, and private healthcare and health insurance are out of the reach of most people. Islamic Relief’s Dr Mohammed Kroessin asks what role financial protection can play. Financial protection is at the core of universal healthcare as it shelters people…
Read moreFacing a bleak future in Gaza, enterprising young people feel let down and ignored, says Islamic Relief child welfare worker Mohammad Abdel Majeed Ismaeel. Some are losing their lives. Others are risking perilous journeys to seek opportunities elsewhere. Their stories must be heard this International Youth Day and beyond. Today’s youth face many…
Read moreIn the densely populated Lazaret area of Niamey, Niger’s capital city, a group of women is gathered in a compound. Some sit on mats, taking an adult literacy class. Each is writing in an exercise book, keenly following what the teacher is writing on the blackboard. Others are in a large room within…
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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.
