Who We Are

Shokat Ali is a philanthropist at heart, he is the Chairman of the British Muslim Friends of Labour and the President of the International Peace and Prosperity Forum. He discovered his love for helping people selflessly early on in his life and has tried his best to be there for anyone and everyone whenever they need him ever since. As the Chairman of the British Muslim Friends of Labour, this beautiful person acts as a bridge between the Muslim community and the Labour Party. Through the British Muslim Friends of Labour, he also encourages Muslims to be active members of the community and be involved in the community and play an active role in politics. He is also distinguished to be included in Muslim Power 100.

Prince Bimbo Roberts Folayan is the founder of the highly successful Nigerian Diaspora Direct Investment Summit (NDDIS) and the African Diaspora Direct Investment Summit (ADDIS) — landmark initiatives that mobilise Nigerians and Africans in the Diaspora, as well as British and other international investors, to invest in Nigeria and across Africa. He is a two-term past Chairman of the Central Association of Nigerians in the United Kingdom (CANUK), the umbrella organisation of hundreds of Nigerian professional, cultural, state, welfare-based, and social organisations in the UK. In that role, he served as the head of the entire Nigerian community in the UK. A highly respected leader in the British Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, he was recently honoured with the title “Father of African Communities in the Diaspora.” Prince Bimbo is the Executive Director of JWilliamz Limited, Non-Executive Director of DVC Technologies and the Oxford College of Education, and serves on the Advisory Board of AIDO, where he also leads AIDO Business and Investment Worldwide. In recognition of his community leadership, he is a patron to more than 40 international organisations. Professionally, Prince Bimbo is an accomplished IT consultant in the UK, with extensive experience in major banking and telecommunications merger projects across the UK and Europe. His clientele includes Nationwide Bank, Ulster Bank, IBM, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Marks & Spencer, Royal Bank of Scotland, NatWest, Halifax Bank, and the Bank of England, among others. He was part of the team that completed the harmonisation and rebranding of NTL, Telewest, and Virgin Telecoms (Virgin Media), as well as the merger of NatWest Bank with the Royal Bank of Scotland. He is also Senior Partner at ABN Limited (UK). On the national stage, Prince Bimbo was the UK Diaspora nominee to the Federal Government of Nigeria’s Vision 20:2020 Board, and a member of the 14-person Advisory Panel on the establishment of the Nigerian Diaspora Investment Trust Fund, inaugurated by the President in 2020. Although a prince of Ijero Ekiti Kingdom, he also holds three distinguished traditional titles: Serikin Yakin (King of War) of Kagara Town, Niger State Garkin Kowan Pada (Member of the Emir’s Palace) of Kotangora Town, Niger State Otunba Babaloja of Ilodo Kingdom, Ijebu Mushin

Edna is Co-Founder and Executive Director of Beyond Conflict, an award winning mental health charity for victims of war. Edna started the Charity in January 2018 in response to testimony from Iraqi refugees whose mental health was impacted by decades of war. Since 2018, the charity has supported projects for: civilians and frontline workers in Iraq; Ukraine; the Rohingya refugee camp in Bangladesh; Palestinian families and frontline workers; Israeli hostage families and youngsters. She is a former journalist and foreign correspondent for the Financial Times, Reuters and Associated Newspapers. Edna is author of the acclaimed and bestselling books Holy Warriors, The Last Jews of Kerala and The Hollow Kingdom. She is patron of Stop Trafficking and a judge for the War Through Children’s Eyes competition.

Vincenzo Forino has dedicated much of his life to serving institutions, gaining decades of international experience primarily by living and traveling across Asia and the Middle East, where he operated in complex and adventurous contexts, including conflict zones, focusing on security, immigration, human rights, and cultural cooperation. Subsequently, he also worked as a consultant for governments and multinational companies, integrating strategic, linguistic, and managerial skills with an advanced intercultural vision. Over time, he embarked on a path of deep inner transformation, embracing holistic wellness and personal development disciplines, becoming: a Practitioner of Cosmoenergetica. He is also a Holistic Practitioner in Evolutionary Techniques, a Mindfulness Instructor, a Professional Life Coach, and a Master Reiki Instructor. He is the founding President of the Oasi Evolutiva Delsud and the Center for Training and Studies in Cosmoenergy, a holistic project with an international vocation. He is a member of the National Federation of Professional Holistic Practitioners.

Honorable Duncan McNair is a British human rights educator and public affairs consultant, best known as the founder and CEO of Peaceful Planet Human Rights Education, a UK-based not-for-profit organization established in 2015. The organization is dedicated to promoting global awareness and understanding of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights through accessible education. Peaceful Planet offers multilingual human rights courses and workshops, aiming to empower individuals and communities to recognize and uphold human dignity and legal protections. Its initiatives have reached diverse audiences, including young people, vulnerable groups, and professionals in regions such as Kurdistan, Baghdad, and Iran. Lord McNair comes from a distinguished lineage of legal and human rights advocates. His grandfather, Sir Arnold McNair, served as the first President of the European Court of Human Rights and was a judge at the International Court of Justice. Notably, Sir Arnold supported Iran's position during the 1952 oil nationalization crisis, a stance that earned him lasting respect in the country. Lord McNair's father, Lord John McNair, was a delegate to the Council of Europe and actively supported the Bahá'í community in Iran and Palestinian refugees during his tenure in the House of Lords. Beyond his work with Peaceful Planet, Lord McNair is also recognized for his advocacy in animal welfare. In 2015, he founded Save The Asian Elephants (STAE), a coalition dedicated to protecting Asian elephants from abuse and extinction. Under his leadership, STAE has been acknowledged among the top global charities for its impactful work in elephant conservation. Through his multifaceted efforts, Lord Duncan McNair continues to champion human rights and animal welfare, building upon his family's legacy of legal and humanitarian service.

Mohammad Walayat Khokhar MBE has been a dedicated member of the Muslim Aid family for nearly three decades, now an Ambassador of Muslim Aid. Making an indelible impact through his tireless service and commitment to humanitarian work. From his early days as a volunteer supporting community fundraising to building strong relationships with communities and leaders across the UK and beyond, he has been at the heart of Muslim Aid’s mission. Highly respected and deeply loved, Mr Khokhar has devoted his life to serving others, embodying the core values of compassion, integrity, and dedication. His unwavering commitment has earned him the trust and admiration of colleagues, donors, and beneficiaries alike. As he steps into his new role as a Patron of Muslim Aid, his legacy of service continues. We are honoured to have him represent the organisation and know that his passion and leadership will remain an inspiration to us all.

is the Chairman of the Global Pak Kashmir Supreme Council. Based in the UK, he is a dedicated human rights advocate and respected leader who champions the rights and welfare of Pakistani and Kashmiri communities. With a strong commitment to neutrality and non-profit values, he has built an organization that fosters dialogue, supports social justice, and addresses challenges on both local and international stages. His tireless work and vision continue to inspire positive change, and we are honored to have him with us today.

Elsa Caseirito is a dedicated Personal Assistant from Portugal, widely recognized for her diplomatic approach, organizational excellence, and heartfelt commitment to humanitarian causes. Over the years, she has cultivated a reputation for reliability, discretion, and efficiency, qualities that make her an invaluable support in both professional and community-focused settings. Deeply passionate about human rights advocacy, Elsa actively participates in initiatives that champion dignity, equity, and justice for all. She has contributed her time and expertise to projects aimed at empowering marginalized groups, fostering intercultural dialogue, and raising awareness of social challenges that affect vulnerable communities. Her professional journey is defined not only by skill and competence but also by integrity, empathy, and an unwavering sense of purpose. Elsa approaches her work with a holistic perspective—balancing attention to detail in administrative tasks with a genuine commitment to uplifting those around her. She believes that meaningful change begins with compassion in everyday interactions and strives to embody this principle in both her personal and professional life. Through her dedication, Elsa Caseirito continues to inspire others, proving that the role of a Personal Assistant extends far beyond organizational support—it can also serve as a bridge for advocacy, solidarity, and positive impact within society.

Dr. Babar Jamal is a visionary anthropologist whose career demonstrates how research can become a force for liberation. Beginning with grassroots social welfare initiatives as a matric student, he has built a lifelong commitment to human development, championing the rights of women and children and fighting for the education of out-of-school youth. Dr. Jamal, treats ethnographic engagement as the starting point for direct, compassionate action, turning deep societal understanding into practical interventions. This conviction for genuine human development is rooted in the dignity of every individual, spans his career. He is passionate to expose the underlying political economy and brutal realities of trafficking, defending the rights of women and children, or advocating for educational access, he focuses on the gap between academic insight and tangible change. An anthropologist by training and a humanitarian by calling, Dr. Jamal weaves rigorous public policy analysis with fierce advocacy and on-the-ground action. His scholarship on trafficking and exploitation provides the evidential foundation for advocacy, policy reform, and systemic change. In this way he models a rare kind of engaged intellectual, one whose ideas are measured by their impact. At the heart of Dr. Jamal’s distinguished career is a powerful proposition: anthropology must be an active, moral force in the world. He has pioneered a praxis where deep ethnographic work naturally evolves into a comprehensive human-rights framework. His journey from grassroots social welfare to the forefront of human-rights advocacy shows that rigorous scholarship and profound empathy are not only compatible but essential partners in the pursuit of justice. By coupling analytical rigor with lived compassion, Dr. Babar Jamal demonstrates that the highest form of knowledge is transformative action, and he inspires others to follow the same path toward a more dignified and equitable world.

Rumaisa Riaz is an entrepreneur, leadership trainer, and social worker from Islamabad, Pakistan. She began her entrepreneurial and social projects at the age of 17, showing a strong sense of purpose and vision early in life. With expertise in construction management, digital marketing, and business leadership, she has successfully delivered commercial and community-based initiatives. As an NLP coach and Islamic counsellor, she specializes in trauma recovery and personal transformation. She is also the Founder of Surryia Riaz Welfare Trust, through which she empowers women in abusive environments, supports underprivileged children’s education, and has helped establish more than 15 small businesses for deserving individuals. Passionate about youth and women’s empowerment, she continues to mentor, teach, and lead projects that combine professional excellence with spiritual growth.