About Us

Elif was founded by a group of individuals who have extensive experience in non-profit organisations and have achieved highly in their professional lives. We got together to discuss what the ideal Muslim community looks like and discussed if can we do something together to develop this idea. A few months later, Elif was launched.

Founders

• Zafar Haider
• Hassan Ahmad
• Zehra Jagani
• Safa Alkateb
• Hassan Abod
• Ali al Hilli

Current Trustees

• Safa Alkateb
• Zafar Haider
• Hassan Abod

Elif was founded from the ground up to be a community funded organisation. Through high quality, highly beneficial programs and transparent financing, we aim that with time the community sees enough benefit to fund the organisation and it’s future events. A small initial fund was raised by all the founders themselves to kick start the project. All founders named above contributed a small amount to fund the organisation.

As our communities have evolved and grown, it has become clear that our needs have become varied and sophisticated. We at Elif recognise this need and have dedicated our organisation to develop innovative, non-typical and relevant programming that focus on dealing with contemporary issues; we will bring events which will impact your day to day lives in a positive and new way. In doing so Elif takes advantage of the latest in technology as well as modern communication methods. We concluded that this new approach required a new organisation, built from the ground up, dedicated to achieving this objective.

Covid-19 has shown to what extent there is a need for this kind of programming and the extent to which our digital approach to programming is needed, both now and in the future.

Yes. Elif is a Manchester based organisation with independence built into it’s constitution. With strong governance and transparency, Elif’s trustees are solely responsible for the strategic direction of the organisation, with no outside influence from any other organisation or other religious institution.

Yes. A fundamental value at Elif is that we believe in putting the community first. Whatever is best for the community is key, and we believe the most successful way to achieve this includes collaborating and working with others. We believe collaboration and cooperation with other organisations is vital to delivering both diverse and successful programs. At every opportunity Elif will seek ways to both help other organisations achieve success and collaborate on projects together.

We will create events based on the community’s needs. This includes online coffee mornings for mothers, youth events, interactive lectures and workshops on topics such as spouse selection, marriage, parenting, mental health, self development and leadership. We also aim to create events for the next generation such as hiring play centres, plays, movie nights, group nasheeds and other exciting activities for younger children. If you have any suggestions for an event, please let us know!

Yes! Elif provides the opportunity to give back to the community for people who have talent, energy and want to help. Our Executive Committee led by our spiritual guide Dr Ali Al-Hilli is where the action is! You will be joining a team of passionate, energetic and talented volunteers and develop modern and innovative programs for the community! If you have a talent, skill or passion to give back to the community we want you on board!

Although Elif is a registered charity and built from the ground-up to be a community funded organisation, we ask you to donate only if you feel that Elif is bringing excellent value to our youth and our families. We strive to develop highly beneficial, high quality programming and if we do, we hope the community will support us.