GENEVA — Hassan Darweesh Hamed Shahbar, secretary-general of International Islamic Relief Organization, Saudi Arabia (IIROSA), affiliated to the Muslim World League, (MWL), participated in the UNHCR’s Nansen Refugee Award event in Geneva, Switzerland, recently.

Hassan Shabhar, on behalf of IIROSA, extended warm congratulations to Barrister Zanna B. Mustapha, director of the Future Prowess Islamic Foundation, Maiduguri, Borno State, winning the prestigious UNHCR Nansen Refugee Award for his efforts in opening schools amid conflict in northeastern Nigeria.

He said, Mustapha’s work in the region also includes negotiating the release of hostages. When the 21 young women who had been held captive by Boko Haram for more than two years were released, Mustapha was there. He had been instrumental in securing their freedom as well as the release of 82 additional Chibok girls in May 2017.

During the event, Hassan Shabhar said: “IIROSA as one of the main players in humanitarian arena has always aimed at identifying the best practices and experiences in the field of humanitarian action.” Hopefully IIROSA and Future Prowess Islamic Foundation will strengthen the relations and we look forward to making the most of the opportunities created by this initiatives as we seek to bring our relevant strengthens to bearing in reducing poverty throughout the world, especially in rural area in Africa where poverty can be addressed in multilateral context.

Mustapha and his volunteer group of educators know the risks they face, but their work is too important not to soldier on. “This school promotes peace,” Mustapha said. “It is a place where every child matters,” he added. “These children shall be empowered, empowered in such a way that they can stand on their own.”

UNHCR’s Nansen Refugee Award recognizes extraordinary humanitarian work on behalf of refugees, internally displaced or stateless people.

The Nansen Refugee Award program is funded in partnership with the Norwegian Refugee Council, the Swiss Government, The Norwegian Government and the IKEA Foundation.