Charity Leader Making Impact Across the World
Recognised with the Best Global Leader award, Othman Moqbel is the driving force behind Action For Humanity, the parent charity of Syria Relief. From its beginnings as a small volunteer group in 2011 to becoming the UK’s largest Syria-focused NGO, the organisation now provides emergency aid, education and health services across Syria, Yemen, Ukraine, Pakistan and more. In 2021 alone it delivered £24.9 million in humanitarian support through a £26.1 million income and operated over 300 schools inside Syria.
More than 25 years of experience
A British-Palestinian nonprofit executive with more than 25 years in the humanitarian sector, Othman previously led Human Appeal from 2010 to 2017, overseeing its substantial growth and earning it recognition as one of the fastest-rising charities in the UK. He has served on the boards of ACEVO, Charity Futures, and BOND, and in 2015 he received the ACEVO Fellowship Award for CEO of the Year.
From Syria to Global Reach
Othman Moqbel began his journey with Syria Relief, a volunteer-driven response to the conflict in Syria. Under his leadership it grew into Action For Humanity, one of the UK’s fastest-growing international NGOs, delivering education, health, food security, and orphan care to millions.
Scaling Humanitarian Action
Today, Action For Humanity operates in over 20 countries, from Gaza and Yemen to Pakistan, Turkey, and Ukraine. Its work has included running more than 300 schools in Syria, delivering large-scale emergency relief, and providing sustainable community support in disaster zones.
A Voice in the Sector
Othman’s leadership extends beyond operations. He sits on the board of BOND, the UK’s network for NGOs, and previously led Human Appeal through a period of major growth. He is also a recognised voice on humanitarian issues, contributing insights to media platforms such as Al Jazeera.
Recognition of Global Leadership
The Best Global Leader Award celebrates Othman Moqbel’s ability to link grassroots experience with global humanitarian strategy. His work demonstrates how principled leadership, rooted in service, can expand impact across borders.
The Muslim Impact Awards honour leaders like Othman whose vision and dedication continue to shape the humanitarian field. Nominate a global leader for Muslim Impact Awards 2026 here.
