Muslim Aid chief executive steps down after four years

13 Jul 2020 News

Jehangir Malik has left his position as chief executive of Muslim Aid after almost four years in the role.

He has since become programme director at the VCS Emergency Partnership and a patron at The Feast, according to his Linkedin profile. 

Kashif Shabir has stepped up from his role as transformation and strategy director at Muslim Aid to become acting chief executive.

Prior to Malik's appointment at Muslim Aid, he was the UK director at Islamic Relief for six years.

During his time at Muslim Aid, Malik implemented a new system of corporate governance and increased organisational capacity to deliver aid. He also oversaw the deployment of frontline support in countries including Somalia, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Kenya, Pakistan, Sudan and Yemen. 

Under his leadership, the charity played a prominent role in the relief effort following the Grenfell Tower tragedy in London in 2017.

Malik said: “I am extremely honoured to have played a key role for the organisation during hugely challenging times. I have witnessed the dedication, commitment and immense sacrifice of staff as they have worked tirelessly in implementing the charity’s mission and purpose.

“After almost four years of leading an inspirational team of people, I feel now is a good time to pass on the baton. I remain committed to helping to strengthen civil society in challenging times in light of Covid-19 and beyond.”

Data for the financial year ending 31 December 2018 states that the charity had an income of around £24.5m and spent £23.4m.

Iftikhar Awan, chair of the board of trustees of Muslim Aid, said: “We thank Jehangir for his contribution to Muslim Aid and we wish him well for the future. He joined the organisation at a critical time and has worked tirelessly to make a difference.”

Independent investigators 

Last year Muslim Aid commissioned independent investigators to look into serious allegations being made in what it described as a “malicious leaflet” circulating on social media.  

Muslim Aid had been the subject of a Charity Commission inquiry between 2013 and 2018, which led to a significant restructure of the charity. The inquiry found that Muslim Aid’s former trustees were responsible for serious mismanagement, as they failed to adequately oversee the charity's finances.

Its auditor warned last year that the charity may not be able to meet its financial obligations, with the charity reporting a £2.3m deficit in free reserves. The charity said at the time that the deficit occurred under other the previous management and that it was developing a recovery plan. 

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