All our work is underpinned by our commitment to furthering the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, as we help bring about sustainable change in developing countries.
“I was an artisan gold miner, relying on luck to support my two children. Previously we had no water and farming knowledge,” says Juma, 26. He lives in Moyale, Kenya, an area on the frontline of the climate emergency.
Working with communities devastated by recurring flooding and droughts, we constructed dams and installed solar-irrigation technology. Juma decided to take up farming and joined other local people in one of the farmers’ groups we formed. As a result of our work, 3,000 families – including Juma’s – now have livelihoods that can better withstand the challenges of climate change.
“I make a good income. During a three-month season I can earn £19 per day from the sale of tomatoes. Our children are healthy because they now eat food fresh from the farm, unlike before.”
Our programmes are not just about providing access to essential services – they also address the multiple challenges communities face and empower them to lift themselves out of poverty.
Through our commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals; particularly Goal One- to eradicate poverty, and Goal 13- to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts, we want to ensure the eradication of poverty by providing families like Juma’s with long lasting changes that ensure he has a sustainable income for the future.
Our approach aims to tackle the root causes of poverty and its impact, as we aim to bring about transformational change.
Islamic Relief established its Waqf programme in 2000, to support our charitable purpose. We have since prioritised the growth and development of the programme, which is seen as key in diversifying its income and reducing dependency on other income streams.
We promote Cash Waqf in the form of Waqf shares and Sadaqa Jariyah. The portfolio Return on Investment (ROI) funds humanitarian projects in more than 25 countries.
Donors can give any amount to Sadaqah Jariyah funds or they can buy a ‘share’ in Waqf programme, which has a fixed value (currently £890 in the UK). Islamic Relief enables donors to restrict the ROI from their share to any of the humanitarian sectors in which we work.
Our Waqf portfolio continues to be invested in low risk, ethical and Shariah compliant investments which are critical for Waqf. Ten per cent of the ROI is reinvested, ten per cent covers investment management costs, and 80 per cent funds humanitarian projects aligned with the donor’s selection.
Sustainable livelihoods in Indonesia
In 2013, three of the poorest villages in West Sumatra, Indonesia, benefited from £30,000 funding from sustainable livelihoods Waqf shares. Over 90 women received training to cultivate mushrooms and to produce local delicacies from their crop, as well as in marketing their products.
With the money they now earn, the women can support and feed their families, as well as send their children to school.
Kasniawati, 40, is a single mother-of-three and the main breadwinner for her family. She told us that the project raised the confidence of all the women involved. Now, she dreams of having her own mushroom plot. “It might be small,” she said, “but it will be enough to support my children’s living costs and school fees.”
Designed to be sustainable, the six-month project has seen products now sold widely in Indonesia and exported to Singapore. The Indonesian government replicated the project in other parts of the country, engaging women trained by Islamic Relief in passing on their skills to other vulnerable people.
For over thirteen years, Islamic Relief has enabled our generous supporters to change lives and transform communities worldwide through our Waqf programme.
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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.