Home Affairs Correspondent
Trailblazers from across the UK were recognised for shattering barriers and inspiring change at the 2025 Black (African/Afro-Caribbean) Muslim Awards, an annual ceremony celebrating the growing influence of Black British Muslims across all sectors and honouring a community redefining excellence, representation, and belonging.
The event in October in London united leading figures from sport, culture, and public life. Organisers emphasised that the evening meant more than accolades.
“These awards are not just about handing out trophies,” said Rakin Fetuga, producer of the Black Muslim Awards. “They are about legacy, about visibility, empowerment, and giving our community the flowers they’ve earned.”
Among the honourees was Khadijah Mellah, who made history in 2019 as the trailblazing first hijab-wearing jockey to win a competitive British horse race. Her remarkable victory in the Magnolia Cup at Goodwood, aged 18, captured national attention. She was named Female Sports Advocate of the Year for her inspiring and transformative work promoting diversity in horse racing through the Riding A Dream Academy.
Illyin Morrison claimed the Women’s Advocate 2025 award. A registered midwife and perinatal trauma specialist, Morrison catapulted to prominence after reaching the quarterfinals of The Great British Bake Off in 2024. She now champions improved maternal healthcare and combats racial bias in medicine.
The Business Entrepreneur of the Year award went to Dirie Adan Abdi Abyan, founder of D’s Kitchen. What started as a modest Snapchat page showcasing Somali home cooking has blossomed into one of the UK’s first Somali-owned fast-food franchises, with two London branches celebrated for their vibrant flavours and community-driven ethos.
Poet, playwright, and spoken-word artist Sukina Noor received the Performing Artist of the Year award for her pioneering contributions to British Muslim arts. Co-founder of the hip-hop duo Poetic Pilgrimage and Bristol’s City Poet, Noor is known for her work exploring poetry’s transformative power, including her TEDx talk on the subject. Her theatre productions, Malcolm X (2016) and Afropean/Human Being (2020), were staged at the Royal Flemish Theatre in Brussels. She is also the author of Love & Longing: Yearning for the Face of God and the poetry album Tribe.
The Charity of the Year award went to Solace UK, founded by Aliyah Umm Rayaan, which provides holistic support to revert women across Britain. The organisation offers faith-based counselling and educational programmes to strengthen spiritual resilience and provide community support.
LaYinka Sami, a transformation coach and author, was named Author of the Year. Her debut book, A Beautiful Homecoming* (2024), combines self-help and faith-based guidance, encouraging Muslim women to rediscover purpose and peace.
The STEM Champion of the Year award was presented to Zainab Garba-Sani, a health innovation leader at NHS England & NHS Improvement. She was recognised for her work advancing inclusive healthcare technologies and for founding the first DKMS student society at the University of Bradford to increase stem cell donor registration among underrepresented groups.
Running With the Brothers, a London-based grassroots group supporting men from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds through running and mentoring, won the Male Sports Advocate of the Year award. With a network of more than 500 men, the organisation promotes wellbeing, brotherhood and mental health while tackling social isolation.
In the Male Social Media Influencer category, content creator Mohamed Salad, known online as Princessalad, was recognised for his engaging sports commentary covering African football, the Premier League and the NFL. Ameena Roshae, a professional makeup artist turned content creator, won the Female Social Media Influencer award for her modest fashion content and storytelling about faith, family, and identity, which has earned her millions of followers online.
Additional recognition included Caterer of the Year honours for Amatullah’s Food Hut, Journalist/Media Professional of the Year for Aisha Rimi, Philanthropist of the Year for Aishah Hutchinson, and the Outstanding Achievement Award for Ismael Lea South.
The ceremony, hosted by Muneera Pilgrim and Ali Kamara, featured performances by actor and poet Muslim Belal, comedian Fathiya Saleh, and poet Suli Breaks, reflecting the diversity and creativity within the Black Muslim community.
Feature photo: Khadijah Mellah, winner of the Female Sports Advocate award, and Ameena Roshae, winner of the Social Media Influencer Award, at the African & African-Caribbean Black Muslim Awards 2025. (Credit: L3K Photography)
