Olubunmi Falilat Alabi, Librarian, Muslim Association of Nigeria & Kafayat Eletu, Educationist, Muslim Association of Nigeria
(Photo: Abdul Datoo/The Muslim News)

The Muslim News has been inundated with positive feedback from guests of this year’s The News Awards for Excellence, we present some of the many words of encouragement and gratitude sent to us:

It was the first time I have attended but it was a pleasure to have seen the amazing work going in the community. Mr Imran Razaq, Cube Network, London

As always, it’s the remarkable achievements of all the nominees, showing the great contributions of Muslim communities across the UK.
Ali Khimji, Al-Mizan Charitable Trust

The thing that I enjoyed most was the fact that the awards celebrated excellence from Muslims in this country. The fact that all political parties were represented was also excellent. I was also impressed by the calibre of all the shortlisted candidates.
Dr Fayyaz Afzal OBE, Ministry of Justice, Leicester County Court

This year the Muslim News Awards excelled in as much that this is the very best event I have attended with added prestige. The mix and quality of guests was impressive! Both my wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the evening and seeing Muslims’ talent and positive contribution to society acknowledged. Congratulations!
Karim Sacoor, Cross Govt Dept Advisory Group on Anti Muslim Hatred

I want to congratulate you for this fabulous event, as always. The organising was excellent, including the Guests, Food and the entertainer.
Jaafar El-Ahmar, Journalist

The inspirational dimension of the award ceremony: after a barrage of criticism and censure of Muslims and Islam throughout the year round, this event reassures and is uplifting to note that despite, Muslims of all ages in Britain are engaged in contributing positively, developing themselves and demonstrating that they have a stake in the British society. Involvement of Muslim youth as volunteers is very positive and encouraging. Keep up the brilliant work and may Allah (swt) continue to give you strength and bless you with ‘resourcefulness’.
Dr Qadir Bakhsh, MBE, E.A.G.L.E.S. Consultancy, Essex

I would like to say that it was a very pleasant evening. I must congratulate you and your staff to maintain a well-organised and disciplined celebration of the Excellence amongst Muslim population, as well as remembering the role-models under whose titles the awards are recommended. It was notable to hear your speech identifying the challenges facing the community in `UK.
Dr Alam Khan, Pakistan Medical Association

Thank you so much for your email and thank you more for the most enjoyable night and for gathering that number of Muslims and pioneer under one roof. I enjoyed the night to the maximum and I appreciated all the work done by all the nominated people from 10 years old to 60 or 70 years old.
Ms Insaf Abbas, Human Appeal

Just a quick note to say thank you ever so much for a beautifully organised Muslim Awards for Excellence event. Very inspiring, well deserving individuals from the Muslim community. I thoroughly enjoyed the entire evening. It was an amazing awards ceremony! Credit goes to yourself and your entire team. Delicious food and excellent service indeed. Congratulations to all winners of such beautiful awards. May Allah SWT reward you and bless you in abundance for serving the community for over 2 decades.
Dr Tariq Abbasi MBE DL, Deputy Lieutenant of Greater London

I would like to thank you Ahmed and all for putting on such a great Muslim News Excellence Awards. It was really heartwarming to see so many talented members of our community being recognised for their outstanding contributions to their own community and beyond. Personally one of the truly memorable highlights of the evening was seeing Dr Fayyaz Afzal and Shezad Nawab being rewarded for their inspirational achievements. Listening to the latter with the help of the sign language interpreter was equally awe-inspiring and most humbling. It was also very thoughtful of you to provide a list of all guests to facilitate communication during the evening and possibly for future contact. The range of speakers was most impressive and inclusive. Summing up: A fantastic evening, marvellous setting with great attention to detail, superb organisation and such a welcoming and warm atmosphere.
Ms Saleha Rahal, British Red Cross

Thank you so much for an invitation to such a wonderful evening to celebrate such wonderful Muslims and their communities, It was a pleasure to be in the company of such accomplished people. I really enjoyed networking with everybody at the beginning with the drinks.
Miss Zahra Alazaibi, Zahrarosea

Overall I think it was fantastic and I would like to congratulate your staff and volunteers, I know how hard it is organising such events. The evening was a chance for Muslims to be proud and come together to showcase our achievements and contribution to the UK.
Abdal Ahmed, Muslim Sports Council

It was my first time at the event and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Most of all, I loved the showcasing of talent within the British Muslim community (I think it’s really important to tell our own good news stories, especially in the current climate of rabid Islamophobia we are unfortunately passing through), the professional organisation and the food! Also, the event provides an excellent opportunity for networking and meeting like-minded friends and colleagues and sowing the seeds of mutual collaboration and synergy.
Dr Riyaz Timol, Research Associate in British Muslim Studies, Cardiff University

Thank you so much for inviting my colleague Ian Larke and myself to this amazing evening. We felt very privileged to be there and celebrating the achievements of Muslim people in the UK. The whole event was very inspiring, organised and such a beautiful venue. The food, the timing was perfect and we certainly enjoyed ourselves throughout the event. Well done and thank you so much for organising this precious evening.
Mrs Tania Al-Hassani, Projekt Meverick

I was impressed by the achievement of those who received the awards and the speeches they made. They did come across as determined individuals who contributed positively to society in the different fields they excelled in. Some of them worked hard against the odds to achieve what they did achieve, especially the barrister who succeeded despite being blind. I very much enjoyed his speech. It was also a good night for the ladies since they took a good number of the awards.
Dr Abdul-Rahim Hassan, The Wednesday Magazine, Oxford

I did attend the event with my wife and it was an honour to be there and witness the awards ceremony. I was very much impressed with the whole event and the way it was organised, well done to yourself and the team. It is always pleasing to know that we have community members who are dedicated to the services they provide not only to the community itself but to a wider public in general. Please keep up the good work. I wish you all the success for the work you are doing and may Allah grant you the strength to continue.
Musafir Somani, Hon. Secretary KSIMC of London

What I enjoyed most was the hearing about the amazing work of the Muslim News. The planning and organisation is very smooth, nice team of volunteers, a strange thing to say but they always look and behave pleasantly. The inspiring people you champion, of all age groups/genders. Opportunity to see other charities work. Guest list- as it’s good to know who’s attending.
Miss Sammera Ali, Human Appeal

I loved the fact that at least two of the outright winners showed that their disabilities did not impede their chances of success and accomplishment. Both candidates were a refreshing example of individuals who refuse to let anything or anyone impede their progress; too easily we can become victims, blaming others and outside forces for our plights. The cloak of victimhood should never rest easily on our shoulders and these awards are a clear example of what happens when we refuse to wear it.
Ms Yvonne Ridley, European Muslim League, Scotland

I met some most interesting and charming people. I find your event inspiring and an excellent opportunity to discuss initiatives for encouraging on the one hand trust to grow between those of faith and on the other actions that can help the vulnerable in our society.
Sir Jonathan Portal, Winchester Cathedral/JP Associates

I wanted to reach out and thank you for the cordial invitation to The Muslim News Awards. Not having been to such an event in the past, and not knowing what to expect, I was pleasantly surprised by the level at which these awards are held on an annual basis. The stories of all the nominees, and the winners, in particular, are truly inspiring; to see how these individuals are making a difference in society, and overcoming individual hurdles to excel in their commitment to show the best of who we are. I want to thank you again for a lovely evening.
Mohamed Ladha B. Comm, DiPFA, Partner of St. James,s Place Wealth Management