Islamic Relief Canada is pleased to announce the appointment of its new CEO, Usama Khan, effective October 2021.
Usama Khan joined Islamic Relief Canada in 2015 as Director of Finance and was appointed Chief Operating Officer in 2019. As well as holding an MBA from McMaster University, Usama is a chartered professional accountant and brings a wealth of experience from the profit and not-for-profit sector. During his time at Islamic Relief Canada, Usama played a vital role in Islamic Relief Canada’s growth by championing initiatives to enhance and amplify organizational effectiveness. He succeeds outgoing CEO Zaid Al-Rawni.
“I could not be more grateful and honoured to be leading one of Canada’s largest Muslim organizations with an extremely talented team. Canadian Muslims have continued to trust us with their Zakat and donations to help millions of people around the world through providing life-saving aid, long-term solutions that break the cycle of poverty, and advocacy for issues that matter most to the people we serve. “I want to thank Zaid-Al-Rawni for his leadership, mentorship, and commitment to the Islamic Relief family over the past twenty years. He has played a tremendous part in growing the organization, and he leaves behind a legacy that will serve as a model for the next generation of changemakers. I wish him all the best in his new adventure and look forward to continuing to work and learn from him,” says Khan.
“I could not be more grateful and honoured to be leading one of Canada’s largest Muslim organizations with an extremely talented team. Canadian Muslims have continued to trust us with their Zakat and donations to help millions of people around the world through providing life-saving aid, long-term solutions that break the cycle of poverty, and advocacy for issues that matter most to the people we serve.
“I want to thank Zaid-Al-Rawni for his leadership, mentorship, and commitment to the Islamic Relief family over the past twenty years. He has played a tremendous part in growing the organization, and he leaves behind a legacy that will serve as a model for the next generation of changemakers. I wish him all the best in his new adventure and look forward to continuing to work and learn from him,” says Khan.
Zaid Al-Rawni will continue to support Islamic Relief in this important transition.
“I’m so proud of our community’s commitment to our Islamic values of helping those in need. Across Canada, from coast to coast, Canadian Muslims came together to support the most vulnerable communities locally and globally with a level of energy and commitment that has blown me away, all praise is due to Allah. The Muslim community, through Islamic Relief Canada, is now a national leader in Canada in responding to people’s needs. I pray Allah continues to bless this organization, the team at Islamic Relief Canada, and all the donors and volunteers who are always ready to answer the call,” says Al-Rawni.
Khan’s appointment concludes a three-month recruitment process by the Board of Directors.
“Our Board of Directors is excited to have someone like Usama lead Islamic Relief Canada,” says Board Chair Dr. Hany El-Banna. “COVID-19 drove an additional 97 million people into extreme poverty in 2020. We have a lot of work to do and we are confident that under Usama’s leadership, we will increase our capacity and impact to help the most vulnerable communities around the world.”