Find out the latest news about Islamic Relief and our work to assist vulnerable people across the globe
Islamic Relief is supporting vulnerable people in Gaza with food, water and blankets as the death toll from the ongoing escalation passes 10,000. More than 10,000 people have been killed in Gaza since the escalation began, including over 4,000 children, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. In Israel, some 1,400 people have…
Read moreIslamic Relief is to provide lifesaving aid in Nepal, where 2 powerful earthquakes have killed at least 157 people and destroyed thousands of homes. On Friday night a 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck remote communities in western Nepal. With its epicentre in Jajarkot district, the quake was so powerful that tremors were felt over…
Read moreMohamed, 60, lives in Dhanaha village, Puntland, in north-eastern Somalia, with his wife and 13 children. Mohamed and his family are farmers, but like so many in Puntland and across Somalia, they have suffered from severe water shortages as a result of the prolonged periods of drought. They used to dig their own…
Read moreToday marks 1 month since an unprecedented escalation began in the Middle East. The situation on the ground in Gaza remains extremely dangerous and civilians are facing a desperate struggle to survive amid relentless bombing and shortages of water, food, medicines, and safe shelter.More than 10,000 people have been killed in Gaza, including…
Read moreIslamic Relief is continuing to support people in desperate need in Gaza as the humanitarian situation deteriorates. Over 9,000 people, including more than 3,700 children, have been killed in Gaza in an unprecedented escalation in the region. The escalation, which began in early October, has also seen some 1,400 people killed in Israel.…
Read moreIn October, 3 6.3-magnitude earthquakes hit Herat Province in western Afghanistan. Several aftershocks then reverberated throughout the region, impacting the nearby provinces of Badghis and Farah. Islamic Relief responded quickly to the earthquakes, launching an emergency operation within 24 hours of the first disaster. We deployed a medical team to Herat Regional Hospital…
Read moreProlonged periodic droughts have reduced access to safe and potable water in many areas of Somalia and led to an increase in suspected instances of diarrhoea, cholera and measles. This is particularly true in camps in Baidoa and Dinsor, situated in the Bay area of southern Somalia, where internally displaced people (IDPs) routinely…
Read moreA chronic lack of fuel is crippling life in Gaza. Despite efforts to adapt, hospitals and some aid agencies, water desalination facilities and bakeries can no longer properly function. On Wednesday the United Nations issued a stark warning that it will be forced to stop its relief work in Gaza entirely if fuel…
Read moreIslamic Relief is deeply concerned by news of a ground invasion and a complete shutdown of communications in the Gaza Strip. Our immediate concern is for our brave staff and their families, our partners on the ground, and the long-suffering people of Gaza as they face a terrifying night, dark days ahead, and…
Read moreViolence has engulfed Sudan, displacing millions and leaving cities, homes and lives in ruins. Over the last 6 months, more than 5 million people have been uprooted, forced to flee to relatives’ homes, temporary camps where conditions are abysmal, or across borders where life is not any easier. The number of dead is…
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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.
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 20 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.
