Words from the Editor
The Muslim News, the largest independent Muslim newspaper in Britain, is proud to launch its nineteenth Awards for Excellence event to recognise achievement and promote excellence within the UK Muslim community.
The Muslims in Britain are remarkable, they represent many, if not most, of the world’s cultures. Yet we are also united by common values, a shared history, and a rich heritage that is evolving into a distinctly British Islam. When the first issue of The Muslim News rolled off the press, one of our main aims was to strengthen communication among ourselves and with the wider world.
We wanted to provide a vehicle through which Britain’s Muslims could share their experiences, convey the excitement, challenges, and disappointments that come as a new community carves out its place in society. It has been 33 years since then. And there is much to report. If I were asked to pick out the two most positive developments from the past decade, they would be a heightened awareness of a faith-based identity and the emergence of role models.
The Awards for Excellence have been designed to celebrate both of these achievements, but also to take them further. The event is firmly established in the national Muslim calendar. I’m sure that next year’s awards will be no less successful. I look forward to another year in which Britain’s Muslim community goes from strength to strength. But for this to happen, we need your help. Our independent panel of judges select 15 men and women who will be tomorrow’s role models. These unsung heroes and heroines emerged from nominations sent by you, our readers. Once again, we invite you to nominate an individual, an initiative, or an organisation that you think deserves recognition and can serve as an example to us all.
GUIDELINES: All nominees must be Muslims (or non-Muslims where applicable) who are ordinarily resident in the UK. All organisations nominated must be UK-based.
CATEGORIES
Al Biruni award for excellence in Community Relations For promoting understanding and respect between Muslim and non-Muslim communities at the national or local level
Alhambra award for excellence in Arts: For achievement to fine art, performing art or architecture
Alija Izetbegović award for Good Citizenship For showing courage & determination in securing rights for others
Allama Iqbal award for Creativity in Islamic Thought For the development of a new, innovative and challenging approach to the understanding and application of Islam
Annemarie Schimmel award for Championing a Muslim Cause: For a non-Muslim individual, initiative or organisation which /who has supported a Muslim cause
Faezeh Hashemi award for excellence in Sports For outstanding sporting achievement or the initiation of a sports project for the benefit of the Muslim community
Fazlur Rahman Khan award for excellence in Engineering/Science/Technology
Ibn Battuta award for excellence in Media: For fair, accurate and balanced reporting on an issue involving Muslims nationally or internationally
Ibn Khaldun award for excellence in Promoting Understanding between Global Cultures and Faiths: For a person or organisation who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in, or commitment to, promoting international understanding between cultures and/or faiths
Ibn Sina award for Health: This award recognises those who excel in and promote health issues
Imams Hasan and Husayn Children’s Award for excellence: For a child (5-15 years) who has demonstrated outstanding achievement
Malcolm X Young Person’s Award for excellence: For a young person, or an organisation/initiative run by young people (16-25 years), whose principal aim is to support and create opportunities for their peers
Sankore University award for excellence in Education
Ummul Mu’minin Khadijah award for excellence in Enterprise: For achievement in business and commerce
Uthman Dan Fodio award for excellence in Community Development For a person, project, or initiative aimed at raising the quality of life of Muslims locally or nationally
Iman wa Amal special award: For outstanding contribution to Islam and Muslims. a special award at the discretion of the judges only
IMPORTANT DATES
| Nomination deadline | NOW CLOSED |
| Shortlist published | APRIL 2024 |
| Awards ceremony | JUNE 2024 |
THE PANEL OF JUDGES
Nominations will be judged by a panel of experts drawn from across the UK.
The judges are totally independent of The Muslim News
Judges reserve the right to move entries into a category they consider to be more suitable.
The judges’ decision is final.
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