Who we are and how we work
"Rooted in community, driven by experience"
Mashal is a grassroots organisation founded by dedicated community members with extensive, first-hand experience in developing and delivering essential services.
Our founding members possess in-depth, lived understanding of the unique and complex challenges faced by the communities we serve, including refugees and asylum seekers. This deep well of knowledge is our greatest strength, allowing us to create support systems that are not only effective but also culturally sensitive, empathetic, and responsive to real needs.
"A holistic approach to empowerment"
At Mashal, we understand that building a new life is a journey that requires support across many different areas. That’s why we offer a comprehensive and integrated package of support designed to empower our children and families to thrive. Our carefully designed programmes are built around four key pillars:
1. Education and career guidance: We provide tailored advice and guidance to help young people and adults navigate the UK education system and pursue meaningful career paths. We believe that access to the right information is a cornerstone of future success.
2. Supplementary education: Our supplementary education programmes are designed to bridge educational gaps, build confidence, and help children and young people excel academically. We offer a supportive learning environment that complements their mainstream schooling.
3. Sports and social activities: We believe in the power of connection and well-being. Our sports and social activities provide a safe and fun space for young people and families to build friendships, develop new skills, and foster a strong sense of belonging.
4. Parenting programme: We empower parents with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to navigate the challenges of raising children in a new country. Our programme offers practical support and a space to share experiences, strengthening the family unit as a whole.
If you are an organisation interested in working with us or referring someone you are supporting to us, please email info@mashal.org.uk and someone from the team will reach out to you.
Our values
Inclusivity
Mashal welcomes and supports people of all nationalities, ethnicities, faiths, and backgrounds. We are committed to providing our services with fairness, dignity, and respect for everyone.
Culture
We believe that maintaining a connection to one’s culture, language, and heritage is essential to wellbeing. We support refugees and migrants to celebrate and share their home cultures while building new lives in their communities.
Collaboration
We value strong partnerships and work closely with local authorities, schools, charities, and community organisations to ensure people receive the best possible support and care. We strive to maintain professionalism and continuously improve the quality of our services.
Our Trustees
Farid Mall (Chair)
Farid has extensive experience in financial management, governance, and organisational leadership gained through managing private and charitable organisations in the UK and internationally. He has long been involved in supporting refugees and asylum seekers and is dedicated to promoting inclusion, empowerment, and community development.
His governance experience includes serving as a trustee of the National Resource Centre for Supplementary Education, Barnet Refugee Service, and Brent Association for Voluntary Action. Farid is also qualified as a lawyer overseas bringing valuable legal insight.
Dr. Wallizada Mohibullah
Dr. Wallizada Mohibullah is a robotics and autonomous-systems technology leader with more than 14 years of experience spanning academic research, engineering, product development and real-world deployment.
He is CTO at a tech company, where he works on autonomous driving and intelligent infrastructure technologies for complex industrial and port environments.
Alongside his technology career, Dr. Mohibullah has been actively involved in community and charitable initiatives. He served as Volunteer Coordinator at Afghan Association Paiwand, supporting community-focused activities, and currently serves as a Trustee of Mashal, contributing to the organisation's governance and charitable mission. His career combines deep technical expertise in robotics and autonomy with technology leadership, operational deployment experience and a long-standing commitment to community development.
Dr. Kate Duffy-Syedi
Kate is an experienced charity leader with a long-standing commitment to working with young people from refugee backgrounds, predominantly through the arts.
She worked with unaccompanied young refugees at Afghan Association Paiwand from 2012–2018 and was part of the founding team of Springboard Youth Academy, a charity delivering education programmes for refugee young people.
In 2015, she co-founded Phosphoros Theatre, a charity producing nationally touring theatre and community drama projects with young refugees aged 16–25, where she continues to be Joint Artistic Director. Kate also holds a PhD in participatory theatre with refugees and regularly lectures in applied and community theatre and undertakes research around arts and social justice. She is delighted to be part of the Mashal team and support the charity’s vital educational work with refugee, migrant and other underserved children and young people.
Dr. Ghulam Farooq
Dr. Farooq has an academic background and extensive experience in public health, having worked with internationally recognised organisations as a leading expert in the management of health-related projects in both conflict and post-conflict settings.
Since 2014, he has served as a Mental Health Advocacy Project Manager, leading the development of mental health advocacy services for Afghan refugees and asylum seekers at a previous charity.
Elham Ehsas
Elham Ehsas is a BAFTA-nominated and Oscar-shortlisted writer and director working across film, television and theatre. He is drawn to stories about the quiet moments that split a life in two, and change everything.
His short film Yellow was BAFTA-nominated and Oscar-shortlisted in 2024. His most recent short, There Will Come Soft Rains, won Best Film at both Raindance Film Festival and Encounters Film Festival. His documentary Forgotten Spaceman, produced with Ken Loach's Sixteen Films, will have its World Premiere in August. His debut feature Our Kind of Love is in development with the BFI.
Elham has also worked as Second Unit Director on The Crown (Netflix). As an actor, his screen credits include The Agency (Paramount+), Shantaram (Apple TV+), Unforgotten (ITV) and Homeland (Showtime), as well as the stage production The Jungle in the West End and New York.
He is a member of the Royal Court Writers' Group and is currently developing a slate of original projects for stage and screen.
Zuheir Suleman
With over 30 years of dedicated experience in accounting and bookkeeping, Zuheir runs an independent practice committed to delivering reliable, meticulous financial services.
Zuheir's expertise spans core bookkeeping, comprehensive accounting, payroll management, and specialised charity accounting.
Known for his strong work ethic and attention to detail, he helps businesses and non-profit organisations maintain financial clarity, ensure strict regulatory compliance, and achieve long-term stability.