Islamic Relief supports families and orphaned children affected by war, bereavement, poverty, and ill-health. Through our Orphan Care programme, we help children and families to look forward to a better future.
Thanks to your donations, our teams around the world are able to help save and transform the lives of orphans and vulnerable children. In rural parts of Mali, we’re helping children into education, in Yemen children living in conflict, and in Bosnia our teams are supporting children into higher education–and these are just some of the incredible ways your donations are transforming lives. Right now, we’re helping over 85,000 orphans worldwide, providing food, shelter, health care and education to children in need. And this is all thanks to you
Around the globe, Islamic Relief aims to combat the main issues faced by children across the globe. With your donations to our orphans fund, we provide child-friendly safe spaces, provide essential healthcare, water and food aid, as well as a quality education.
We also empower communities, provide family livelihood support, and develop long-term solutions to poverty and critical issues such as human trafficking (child labour) and child marriage.
In Gaza, poverty and trauma prevent some from going to school, whilst soaring youth employment leaves many young people unable to earn a reliable living. Islamic Relief is by their side, improving access to high-quality education and nurturing livelihoods. Islamic
In Yemen, 12 million children are considered vulnerable, and malnutrition is rife-leading to severe health complications, and in some cases, death. Islamic Relief is working to help combat the issue. Working in communities and health facilities, we provide life-saving preventative care and treatment to children under five, as well as essential food aid.
Thanks to your donations, our teams around the world are able to help save and transform the lives of orphans and vulnerable children. In rural parts of Mali, we’re helping children into education, in Yemen children living in conflict, and in Bosnia our teams are supporting children into higher education–and these are just some of the incredible ways your donations are transforming lives. Right now, we’re helping over 85,000 orphans worldwide, providing food, shelter, health care and education to children in need. And this is all thanks to you
In Syria, Almost six million children have been born since the crisis in Syria began, according to the United Nations (UN). They have been denied a happy, safe and secure childhood. Instead, fear, displacement and hardship have been their constant companions. Islamic Relief has been working to support children throughout the crisis with projects focused on psycho-social support and education. Our aim is to help ensure that children are protected and able to enjoy their childhood in safety.
In Bangladesh, we are working to improve children’s access to education. Part of our work involves providing bicycles to girls. This makes it safer and easier for girls living in poor, rural areas, to get to school and encourages them to continue their education. The same project also provided 4,000 children with education materials including school bags, umbrellas and stationery.
This is just a snapshot of our life-changing development work for vulnerable children worldwide.
Living under blockade, hope is essential to the people of Gaza. Hamsa’s home floods in the winter and is too hot to stay inside during the summer. Thanks to Islamic Relief, not only is Hamsa provided for, but she is now receiving an education in the hope that one day, she can help rebuild her country.
“I try not to miss a single day of school. I have a big hope that education can change Gaza for the better.” – Hamsa
Alhamdulillah, Hamsa loves her studies, especially technology which is her favourite subject. You can give hope to a child like Hamsa.
Many orphans across the world are in desperate need of nutritious food, clean water, healthcare, education, as well as an adequate place to live and play.
These are all essential for children to have a healthy, safe and happy childhood. However, for the 1 in 5 children living in poverty across the world, these basic necessities are out of reach.
The help which orphans need the most varies depending on their specific circumstances. Many orphan children sadly lack multiple or all of these necessities.
Food and clean water are the most essential and basic needs and without these, children are at risk of malnutrition and other health issues, as well as water-borne diseases.
For the 1 in 4 children living in conflict zones, many are also in desperate need of safety and psychosocial support.
With your donations to our orphans fund, we provide child-friendly safe spaces, essential healthcare, water and food aid, as well as a quality education.
Prophet Muhammad (SAW) emphasised the status of orphans, and the importance of fulfilling their needs.
Children are a gift from Allah, and a trust, or Amanah – to be cared for and nurtured in the best possible way.
With your continued support, Islamic Relief has helped 85,595 orphans across 27 countries. We’re not only transforming futures; we’re saving lives.
Your charity can help save a life and support orphans and children in need today.
The Qur’an emphasises the importance and reward of caring for orphans, as well as fulfilling their rights, and protecting their dignity.
This is stated in the following Ayah’s of the Holy Qur’an:
“They ask you, [O Muhammad], what they should spend [in charity]. Say, “Whatever you spend of good is [to be] for parents and relatives and orphans and the needy and the traveller. And whatever you do of good – indeed, Allah is Knowing of it.”
Qur’an | 2:215
“No! But you do not honour the orphan…
Qur’an | 89:17 (in which Allah rebukes the Quraysh for dishonouring orphans).
“Have you seen the one who denies the Recompense [the religion]? For that is the one who drives away the orphan.”
Qur’an | 107:1-2
Particular attention is made to the importance of giving orphans their rightful property and possessions.
Indeed, those who devour the property of orphans unjustly are only consuming into their bellies fire. And they will be burned in a blaze (i.e. Hellfire)” [4:10].
“And give to the orphans their properties and do not substitute the defective [of your own] for the good [of theirs]. And do not consume their properties into your own. Indeed, that is ever a great sin” [4:2].
The verses above indicate the high importance Allah has placed on us in taking care of orphans and that spending on them is one of the greatest forms of good deeds.
Be a lifeline for orphans today. Donate Now.
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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.