Discover insights, experiences, and views from our colleagues and those we serve right across the world
Islamic Relief’s Protection and Inclusion Advisor on age and disability, Tom Palmer, explores how humanitarian actors can accelerate progress on inclusion following the publication of the new IASC Guidelines. Few humanitarian workers these days, whether based at an international headquarters or on the frontline of a crisis, would disagree that including persons with…
Read moreAhead of International Women’s Day, Islamic Relief’s head of global advocacy, Shahin Ashraf, examines the gender gap – and our bold new initiative to help close it. Every morning after fajr (dawn) prayer, I pray for hope. I pray for peace for a world that will be different for our children. For a…
Read moreIslamic Relief’s head of global advocacy, Shahin Ashraf, says more must be done to secure gender justice around the world, as 16 Days of Activism come to an end. This week we concluded our global 16 Days of Activism campaign against gender-based violence (GBV), which Islamic Relief has run for three years in…
Read moreTady Barethe lives in Bamako, Mali. She is 62, a widow and has six children. Before Islamic Relief’s loan she used to trade in small items like toothbrushes and cheap perfumes. She did this to feed her family. “As a widowed woman in charge of orphaned children, Islamic Relief came to my assistance…
Read moreReceiving an honorary doctorate from a UK university this week, our CEO has dedicated the award to everyone who has supported Islamic Relief, now the world’s largest independent Muslim charity. Addressing Aston University at a ceremony in which he received the award, Naser Haghamed recounted Islamic Relief’s growth – and his inspiring personal…
Read moreIn March 2019 the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) held a conference to explore the humanitarian-development connection through the lens of conflict sensitivity. Participants from a range of humanitarian and development agencies met at the Sida Partnership Forum in Sweden to share experiences and develop new ways of programming. Sylvia Brown, Conflict…
Read moreIn one of the poorest neighborhoods in Amman, a 17-year-old Syrian refugee boy is living in a modest house with his mother and two siblings. Ali Al Khabbaz, the boy who cannot fathom the meaning of depression. Despite the challenging situations that Ali has been through, he keeps on smiling. Ali left Syria…
Read moreIslamic Relief Tunisia (IRT) is working in some of the most arid reagions of the country to help provide vulnerable people with a livelihood.
Read moreIslamic Relief Albania launched a new and innovative campaign to help a local school. The high school in Bajza used to have a library but unfortunately all the books were lost due to a fire. Islamic Relief Albania, in conjunction with Eco-Mind (an environmental organisation) organised a book marathon. The aim of the…
Read moreOctober 2017 marks 25 years since Islamic Relief opened an office in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Dr Ismail Palić, Professor at the University of Sarajevo, recalls his experience of working with Islamic Relief during the early years.
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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.
