'Tory has promised to continue Intl development funding'

Islamic Relief UK’s Country Directory Jehangir Malik joined the organization in 1991 as volunteer. He was introduced in the charity through its founder Dr Hany El-Banna and was inducted in it as Fund raising coordinator on regular basis. Later, he also served as Development Director in USA. Jahangir’s father basically belonged to Dadyal in Pakistan who came here in 1960. Jahangir has visited Pakistan, Kashmir, Afghanistan, Africa, Sudan, Kenya, Somalia, Russia, Chechnya and Iraq in connection with relief operation on behalf of Islamic Relief.  He loves to spend his leisure time with his family. Outspoken Jahangir has one son and two daughters. The Asians's team had a frank conversation with him on the role of his organization and on-going relief operations.

The Asians: When did Islamic Relief come into existence and why was it needed?
Jehangir Malik: Islamic Reef was established in 1984 when Africa especially Sudan and Ethiopia were hit by the worst famine. At that time a pop singer Bob Geldof launched a campaign ‘stop debts and feed the world’. During the same days, Dr Hany El-Banna set up Islamic Relief charity.

The Asians: Did you experience racial discrimination in the beginning?
Jehangir Malik: No. In the beginning the organisation received very limited donations. However, with the passage of time and with the increase in organisation’s volume the amount of donations also increased. We received big support within Britain and from Muslims living in other countries as an international charity. When we drew attention of the people towards those who were in need of help in other countries, mosques, communities and other bodies extended their wholehearted cooperation in this noble task and that continues to this day.

The Asians: As an ‘Islamic’ organization did you feel any problem in your working?
Jehangir Malik: In the eighties, soon after the establishment of the charity no such incident took place. In nineties worst kind of genocide took place in Bosnia and we immediately started relief work. During the same decade we expanded our work. Like other organisation we also came across with similar problems but we learnt a lot through experience. Real challenges came after 9/11 when Muslim organisations, bodies and everything were being seen through this incident. Since Muslims came into spotlight in the post 9/11 scenario, questions were raised about funding of Muslim bodies. In the meantime, we also made our financial matters more transparent and disciplined.  We don’t have any political agenda; the only agenda we have is service to humanity. The area of our operation has extended after 9/11.

The Asians: In how many countries your organisation is working and what is the nature of your operation?
Jehangir Malik: Islamic Relief has permanent field operation in 25 countries. We moved ahead in the most disciplined manner during the last 25 years. As a charity we continue with our efforts to help the needy without any discrimination of colour creed and race as natural calamity never hits a country or region on the basis of religion.

The Asians: Donors always remain concerned about the right use of their contributions. How do you remove their concerns?
Jehangir Malik: We are obliged to follow the rules, regulations and code of conduct of the Charity Regulatory Commission under which they are supplied with all details of the accounts. Organisation’s accounts are maintained under a regular accounting system. There is an internal audit committee system that keeps check on financial matters, relief work and its standard. Besides, the top most British company Price, Water House audits Islamic Relief account. We not only publish the audit report but paste it at the website. Trust of the donors and public is the main point of focus. So far as donations and funding are concerned, people at grassroots level from Britain, Europe, Middle East, America, Canada and other countries extend their full support to us while 35 per cent of the funding comes from different organizations including government, department of International Development, UNO and European community. Islamic Relief was established in America in nineties. Besides, funds are also received from Germany, Italy, Malaysia, Sweden, France, South Africa and a number of other countries.

The Asians: Did economic crunch affect relief operation in any way?
Jehangir Malik: Not at all. Instead there has been an increase in donations during the recession. In my opinion natural calamities cannot lessen the spirit of compassion and hospitality for the victims. On the contrary the adverse condition serves as stimulant to help alleviate the sufferings of the victims. We had to start two new emergency relief operations. People reacted instantly to the human crisis continuing in Ghaza. From UK community alone we raised £5m for the Ghaza people. The other was Haiti quake tragedy where £5m will be spent for rehabilitation work in the next three years.

The Asians: British Muslims lag behind in different fields including Education, social development, health comparing with other communities. Have you any plan at hand to improve their lot?
Jehangir Malik: We are not limited to a certain department. Our actual work is of international development and we as a relief and development organisation rush immediate help to people caught in natural calamities and other disasters. We work with all other stakeholders for creating social awareness about different matters. Problems relating to education, health, social development and other sectors are matter of concern, however, we are helping for infrastructural support and in some other projects.

The Asians: Please tell us about your operations in South Asian countries?
Jehangir Malik: We are busy in relief and development work in Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Afghanistan and Sri Lank. Solar and Wind propelled power generators are being installed in Balochistan to provide electricity to domestic users. This project was launched by Shahid Afridi and other cricketers three years back.

The Asians: Did security situation force your organisation to pack up your operation in any country?
Jehangir Malik: We have to face unexpected situation in these countries. Security surely is a big challenge in countries like Afghanistan and Somalia where incidents of kidnapping, violence are very common. In some areas we provide relief to people in front line. It is our duty to provide relief to the people trapped in dangerous situation otherwise there is no need of Islamic Relief where situation is normal. But I want to clear one point that despite these dangers no relief operation was abandoned.

The Asians: Certain political circles accuse Islamic charity organisations to help terrorists?
Jehangir Malik: The financial and administrative matters of our organisation are as clear as water in the glass. We believe that if there is some fault it should be removed immediately. Our mandate is service to mankind; if anybody levels some allegations against us he has to prove it. If you do not indulge in something wrong you need not to worry. So far as allegations are concerned this continues in some form or the other.

The Asians: Do British Muslim support you?
Jehangir Malik: Yes. They are the backbone of our organisation. We collected an amount as big as £20m from Britain alone. We are the lone Muslim member of the 13-member British Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) and any emergency relief fund on behalf of the British people is equally distributed among all the members.

The Asians: From where you get major funding and do the administrative expenditures are also met from this funding?
Jehangir Malik: This is a vey important question. We get funding from different sources. Beside grassroots level, we get donations from Britain, America, Canada and other countries where we are implementing our relief projects. We received £700,000 assistance from Department of International Development for Gaza. Administrative expenditure is met through programme funding, gift aid and general donations. According to the audit report 2008-09 thirteen percent of the expenditure was spent on administration while 87 percent spent on purely relief work. The basic purpose of administrative expenditure is to ensure effectiveness of the organization to enable it to continue its relief operation without interruption and to make efforts to raise more funding for relief operations.

The Asians: Don’t you think that the name ‘Islamic’ isolates you from the society?
Jehangir Malik: I don’t think so. We are proud of our name. We are faith based organisation which is our identity and strength. We don’t feel to be ashamed of this name. May be people would like to create some negative impression about us but we want to give a positive and enlightened example through our action. We have been working for the last 25 years together with other non Muslim organisations to end differences and promote communal harmony. We are spending £500m relief operation. We are working with Catholic Aid for Overseas Development, Christian Aid and Archbishop of Canterbury on Faith and Development. Instead of change, we want to fill the gulf with other communities by maintaining our own identity and traditions. We try to cut the distance instead of going into isolation on account of our name. Our operations continue in Congo, Mozambique and Haiti where non Muslims are in majority. Our operations are not limited to Muslim countries only.

The Asians: What is the nature of your cooperation with the British government?
Jehangir Malik: We are proud of our transparency and impartiality. No governments intrude in our organizational matters. We are an independent and impartial NGO. I would like to appreciate the previous Labour government’s efforts for international development and poverty alleviation. Millennium goals, allocating 0.7 percent of the GDP for poverty alleviation surely are big steps.

The Asians: Do you foresee any change in policies towards international development during Tory government?
Jehangir Malik.  We have talked to all concerned politicians in this regard and they have pledged to continue with the funding assured by the previous government.

The Asians: What differentiates Islamic Relief from other organisations?
Jehangir Malik: We are all striving to bring about positive changes in the society. Our agenda is to help the suffering humanity and we welcome those who want to do something for the welfare of mankind and provide him with an effective and healthy platform. We work on equal footing with other stakeholders of the society. We want to set up a strong organization in the form of Islamic Relief that works for brining about positive changes in the society. I have just returned from Africa, Mali and Timbuktu where our work has brought smiles on the faces of the suffering people which we think is the return of our efforts.

The Asians: Please tell us about your family?
Jehangir Malik: I am living with my wife Shahina Ashraf and three children. Maryam is ten year old, Sara four and Isa is two years. My family is my asset and strength. My father Abdul Malik belonged to Dadyal. My parents came here in sixties. My father was a machine operator in Birmingham. He also served in the Army. He is 78 and has gone to Pakistan. He is among those who helped Britain to stand on its feet. My mother died in 2003. She was very kind and strict follower of traditions. She has a big hand in our brought up as a good Muslim. We are three brothers and two sisters. I often go on foreign visits but visiting Pakistan is something quite different as my heart feels a close connection with that land that cannot no be explained in words.

The Asians: Hijab is something controversial in the West. What do you think about it? Does your wife observe Hijab?
Jehangir Malik:  Yes, my wife wears Hijab. But in my opinion this is something quite personal whether someone likes it or not.

The Asians: Do you want to give some special message to the community?
Jehangir Malik:  They should play their role by abiding by their traditions and values and by their hard work. They should work for positive changes in political and social fields by utilising their talent.