Opinion: The world is becoming more religious. That matters for development
With faith influencing the lives of billions, and a major element of the social and political context in which global development efforts take place, it is simply too significant a force in the world — both for good and for ill — to be disregarded.
Since the 1990s there has been remarkable progress in human development. But in the last five years, the very lowest-income countries have seen these gains stall, and in some cases go into reverse. The climate crisis, conflict, debt, and economic inequality stand in the way of poverty eradication.
If we are to effectively tackle these biggest global issues, we need to better understand the world in which we operate. As leaders at Islamic Relief and Christian Aid, we see that among many global development groups, faith is a force that is either marginalized or ignored.
About the authors
Waseem Ahmad
Waseem Ahmad has been chief executive of Islamic Relief Worldwide since May 2021. He first joined the organization 24 years ago and has worked in numerous roles including head of partnerships and director of international programs, leading Islamic Relief’s response to major global crises including famines, earthquakes, floods, and conflicts. He has worked in countries including Pakistan, Sudan, and Malawi, and has also worked for organizations including Oxfam and Tearfund, and is a trustee of the International Civil Society Centre.
Patrick Watt
Patrick Watt is chief executive of Christian Aid. He has widespread experience of working in development and humanitarian organizations, including Oxfam, ActionAid, and Save the Children, on education, global health, aid policy, and debt and trade. He has engaged extensively with the U.N., EU, and African Union, as well as with the U.K. government and Parliament.
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