“I believe that everyone deserves the right to safety, protection and freedom.”

We sat down with UK for UNHCR founding Advisory Board member Nyra Mahmood to find out more about what inspired her to join the board, advocate for the cause and any sage advice she’d give to others. 

Can you tell us why you’re so passionate about advocating on issues of diversity and social impact?  

Advocating on issues of diversity comes naturally to me. I am a woman, a woman of colour and a Muslim, so I have certain experiences of some of the challenges faced by people from diverse backgrounds, along with recognising the depth of knowledge, skills and contributions diversity generates. I also recognise the privilege I hold in many of the spaces I inhabit, so I feel people in my position should use their platforms and any influence they may have to support diversity and intersectionality, acknowledging that our distinct perspectives and experiences are invaluable. 

In terms of social impact, I think it’s crucial to addressing the world’s most pressing issues. It can drive change for the better, improving the wellbeing of communities and ultimately creating a far more equitable and sustainable world for us and future generations. I think younger generations should demand that of us and we should learn from and build on the successes of organisations, initiatives and individuals, who drive social impact. 

Why did you decide to join our Advisory Board? 

As one of the founding members, I believe at the core of the board is a desire to co-create and drive impact shaped by refugees. I am a great believer in putting the people affected by a crisis at the centre of shaping decisions and creating transformational change guided by them.

One of the most compelling aspects of the board is that it has attracted people who bring a wealth of life experience, expertise and skills to work collectively, leveraging their networks and continually reverting back to the unrivalled insights of refugees themselves.

The refugee crisis did not come out of a vacuum. It is inextricably linked to a myriad of global challenges including conflict, climate change, globalisation, food insecurity and persecution to name a few. I care about all these issues. Most of all I care about people and to see people who had full lives forced from their homes due to any of the reasons I mentioned, is tragic and unacceptable. I cannot even imagine how it would feel to have your life upended in a matter of moments, to be forced to leave your home, to lose your family and find yourself displaced and stateless. 

Everyone deserves the right to safety, protection and freedom.

What role does Islamic social finance play in addressing global development and humanitarian needs? 

The purpose of Islamic social finance is to provide a safety net, to deliver justice, offer sustainable solutions and foster solidarity. All these principles align with global development goals and humanitarian needs. Islamic social finance is a powerful means by which we can address many global challenges, from the refugee crisis, poverty alleviation and emergency humanitarian response to creating innovative instruments, which direct and deliver long-term scalable solutions. Islamic tools like Awaqf, which are assets (an endowment) donated and held in perpetual trust for lasting social good, have already been used to build and operate healthcare facilities, schools and address the climate crisis. 

As a Muslim I believe we are custodians of the world and entrusted with wealth and as such we bear a responsibility to uplift one another, share our wealth and protect the planet. Ultimately, Islamic social finance is a critical pathway in easing human suffering. 

Why do you think it’s so important to leverage your networks and speak about the cause? 

I believe we live in a hostile environment for refugees and asylum seekers, certainly when we look at how polarising the issue has become. The real danger of misinformation about refugees has led to fear, prejudice and misconceptions. 

It is important for all of us to leverage our networks and counteract falsehoods with accurate information, foster a more informed and empathetic understanding of the refugee experience, mobilise support and raise awareness of the complexity of the challenges faced by refugees, including the reasons for their displacement and the barriers they encounter when seeking safety and resettlement. 

How do you use social media to support forcibly displaced people? 

We don’t have to look too far to see how social media impacts the way people begin to make sense of what is happening in the world, connect with issues and come together in solidarity, galvanising movements for change. Social media is a powerful tool, which can also be a phenomenal tool to raise awareness, advocate, share information, fundraise and connect us to refugees through storytelling and lived experiences. 

For me, social media will always be a way to amplify the stories and lives of forcibly displaced people, looking at ways of facilitating connections with people who feel strongly about the plight of refugees, mobilising funding and humanising the crisis – these aren’t numbers. They are 114 million people who had lives, families, homes, jobs – but one day they had no choice but to leave it all behind. They not only deserve, but they have the right to their story being shared and heard. Social media is revolutionising that in sharing stories in real-time. 

Lastly, what’s the most important career advice you’ve received? 

I’ve been very fortunate to have had amazing mentors throughout my career, so I’ve been given some great advice over the years. The one piece of advice that has always stood out for me was to embrace humility. Humility will magnify your strengths, it will open you up to new ideas and possibilities and it will always ground you. 

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To learn more about UK for UNHCR’s Advisory Board, please visit this page.  

You can follow Nyra on LinkedIn here.