About US
Aspiring to a Just World
Challenging war on terror-driven state oppression around the world. Empowering communities to hold governments to account.
Our story
CAGE International has evolved alongside the changing nature of the war on terror.
Established in Ramadan of 2003 as CagePrisoners, we became one of the most reliable sources of information on the status and whereabouts of prisoners seized under the war on terror, for their families, lawyers, as well as press and academics.
In 2013, CagePrisoners became CAGE in response to a broader remit of confronting other rule of law abuses taking place under UK counter-terrorism strategy.
We were the first to reveal the core injustices of the UK's counter-extremism strategy Prevent, and we continuously confronted broader harmful narratives, laws and policies of the war on terror through reportage, media engagement and legal action.
Twenty years on, our unique approach combining community-based support and advice with our keen eye on current law and policy developments and knowledge of their on-the-ground impact, means that our campaigns and actions are strong, authentic and often successful. Now, our advice and support is sought in diverse civil society responses to harmful war on terror laws and policies around the world.
Our Principles
Islamic ethos
Witnessing
Empowerment
Justice
Advocacy
Rule of law
Accountability
Compassion
Integrity
Courage
Community
Our Theory of Change
Our unique approach of independent power building means that we build support and gain strength on our terms, using our values and principles, seeking to share them and spread them to others, rather than seeking change through working within institutions/governments that reject our values, at the detriment to our core principles.
"Verily! Allah will not change the condition of a people unless there is a change of what is in themselves." [Quran 13:11]
Roadmap to Change
We embrace our role as trailblazers and remain unafraid to speak the truth. We commit to constant advocacy and power building.As our voice becomes stronger, our message is accepted and it grows. Other actors intervene in a similar manner, following our trail.
Public narratives start shifting and arguments for justice become normalised.
Political will to end the ‘war on terror’ and to end the unjust discrimination stemming from it, grows and is established.
If circumstances aren’t favourable in any given context, CAGE International maintains its public interest role of bearing witness to justice.
“O believers! Stand firm for justice as witnesses for Allah” [4:135]
Meet our Directors
Meet our Team
Anas Mustapha
Anwar Mafille
Chafika Attalai
Halimah Javaid
Hashim Ali
Hina Khokhar
Inayah Desai
Jahan Alom
Mansoor Adayfi
Muhammad Mussa
Naila Ahmed
Nehal Abdalla
Rayan Freschi
Shezana Hafiz
Tahir Islam
Tamim Allameh
Zoe Darling
Testimonials
"I extend my heartfelt thanks and support for the work undertaken by the CAGE team on behalf of all the men and women detained without charge or trial in Guantanamo and [other] secret prisons. Your work is truly inspirational."
Sami Al-Hajj
“There is not an individual whose plight escapes their notice; where little is known, Cage prisoners conducts its own research, takes statements, conducts interviews, generates debate and consistently produces a flow of reliable information that is otherwise unobtainable.
Their work is achieved on a shoestring, and yet matches and surpasses that of many organisations by comparison massively resourced organisations which barely scratch the surface of the same area.”
Gareth Peirce
“As soon as the situation started to get out of control in France, CAGE assembled Muslim scholars and activists from around the world to have a response on behalf of our brothers and sisters in France.”
“They didn’t do that because they were worried about themselves in the UK. They did that because that is the response Muslims are to have when they see any of their brothers and sisters being oppressed.”
Dr Omar Suleiman
“Through the assistance of organisations like CAGE, the Muslim community, and all the rest of us, stand a chance. The people at CAGE have a passion for their work; they are from the community. You should support them.”
Julian Assange
"I knew who you were long before because I read [about] you, and I think you do one of the best jobs out there in showing the diversity that is Guantanamo Bay."
Lt. Cmdr Charles Swift
“[Supporting CAGE] might be better than supporting 10 da’is or scholars because they cannot do their job properly without an organisation that protects Islam and Muslims.”
Shaykh Dr Haitham Al Haddad
“CAGE is like Al Mu’tasim for me. They hear the cry of injustice and they respond. They stood by me when no one else did.”
Sister Maryam
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