About us

Haifa is a British-Palestinian nurse and the founder of Rivers of Mercy, a UK-registered charity devoted to improving access to healthcare for families in Palestine. Inspired by her late husband — a social worker, poet, and activist — Haifa founded the organisation to honour his legacy of compassion and service. Her work focuses on expanding specialist medical support in the West Bank and Gaza, particularly for mothers, infants, and patients living with chronic conditions. Based in Birmingham, she is an active member of her community and loves sharing her culture through traditional Middle Eastern cooking.

Farooq has been involved in the charity sector for nearly 30 years. Initially as a volunteer at the Citizens Advice Bureau, (now called Citizens Advice)and eventually going on to become a trustee and Chair of the trustee board of the organisation. During his time at Citizens Advice, the organisation inevitably went through significant change as a result of financial pressures from restructures, redundancies and amalgamation. Young people is his passion and he has worked in Young People services for over 25 years with an acute awareness of the challenges they face. Farooq says”I am walking on the shoulders of my parents who sacrificed so much in order for me to have a better start in life”.

Mariam brings over 20 years of experience in the NHS, where she has served as a Project Manager and Business Change Lead. Her deep commitment to ensuring equitable healthcare for all, regardless of background, ethnicity, or gender, aligns perfectly with the mission of Rivers of Mercy.
Throughout her NHS career, Mariam has successfully led several maternity electronic patient record implementations across England, championing the use of technology to enhance the maternity care pathway and promote a woman-centred approach to healthcare.
At Rivers of Mercy, Mariam’s wealth of experience and strategic insight are instrumental in supporting the establishment of new primary care clinics in Gaza and other regions across Palestine. Her passion for improving access to quality healthcare continues to inspire her work as part of the Rivers of Mercy team.

Tasneem is a dedicated young volunteer who supports Rivers of Mercy with appeals coordination, administration, and outreach work. At just 20 years old, she brings a genuine passion for charity and community service. Alongside her volunteering, she teaches children and loves finding ways to bring them joy and confidence. She also runs a small business, which allows her to use her creativity and organisational skills to support charitable initiatives.
Her compassion, commitment, and enthusiasm reflect the values at the heart of Rivers of Mercy’s mission. Deeply moved by the struggles faced by families in Palestine, she hopes to continue using her skills to help strengthen sustainable support for those in need. Guided by her faith and inspired by the collective spirit of Muslim charities, she aspires to play a lasting role in rebuilding lives and spreading hope where it’s needed most. Her dedication and kindness truly embody the spirit of Rivers of Mercy.