In 2022 our chief executive officer, Waseem Ahmad, had another busy year representing Islamic Relief and promoting our work around the world.
April saw the hosting of the Ramadan Tent Project – Open Iftar at St Chad’s Cathedral in Birmingham, UK. It was the first time the iftar had been held in person since the Covid-19 pandemic.
The event aims to bring communities together and foster a spirit of friendship.
“Islamic Relief will remain by the sides of vulnerable communities in Pakistan throughout this disaster and beyond,” promises Islamic Relief CEO Waseem Ahmad (left), who went to deliver aid to flooded communities in Nowshera, Pakistan, with British High Commissioner for Pakistan Christian Turner (centre). “We will help communities rebuild and fortify themselves against the devastating effects of the changing climate. And we will continue to demand that world leaders act, at last, right now, to tackle the climate emergency. To do otherwise promises more misery, not only for Pakistan, but for everyone, everywhere.
While in Pakistan, our CEO Waseem Ahmad and our country director Asif Sherazi met with Pakistani prime minister Shehbaz Sharif and other top officials to discuss the flood response and the importance of longterm, sustained support for affected communities.
In November, Waseem was invited to speak at the UK government’s International Ministerial Conference on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict (PSVI). Islamic Relief and World Vision worked closely with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to hold an event in support of the Declaration of Humanity, which calls for people of all faiths to act to prevent sexualviolence in conflict and denounce the stigma that survivors face.
Towards the end of 2022, Waseem was among DEC representatives that met King Charles III to discuss the life-changing impact of funds given by the UK public to international humanitarian crises and how the changing climate is affecting the world’s most vulnerable communities.
