We are delighted to welcome Jehangir Malik OBE as Interim Director of the Asylum Reform Initiative, the alliance behind the Together With Refugees campaign coalition.
Jehangir has a deep understanding of the refugee and asylum system from his own lived experience as well as his role as commissioner on the Commission on the Integration of Refugees.
As a prominent British Muslim, he has spent more than 30 years’ leading a diverse range of civil society organisations across the UK, USA and South Asia. During this time he has striven to position and amplify the role of minority-led organisations in strengthening civil society and advancing social justice, human rights, and interfaith dialogue.
He said: “I’ve seen the strength that emerges when communities and campaigners come together with purpose. This coalition represents that hope – uniting refugee-led groups, civil society, faith communities, and grassroots organisations behind a shared vision: a fair and humane asylum system.
“This is a critical juncture for refugee rights in the UK. I am honoured to work alongside such a committed network, and to help steward this coalition through the next phase of its development – amplifying the voices of those with lived experience, building strategic alliances, and ensuring our message reaches the public and policymakers alike.
“Together, we can reframe the narrative – from fear to empathy, from division to solidarity – and push for a future where people who have been forced to flee their homes find compassion here.”
Jehangir takes over from Ben Jackson, who departs after five years as Director.
Jehangir said: “Ben’s leadership was the driving force behind the creation of Together With Refugees and I would like to thank him for this important and valued contribution to the movement.”
Jehangir is committed to furthering the coalition’s work to champion lived experienced voices and leadership, urge the government for a fair, compassionate and well managed new plan for refugees, and unlock the energy, commitment and power of local people to take action.