FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 15, 2025
London, UK: The Muslim News proudly hosted the 21st annual Awards for Excellence Gala Dinner on Monday, July 14, at Marriot Hotel, London. The distinguished ceremony honoured outstanding individuals and organisations for their achievements and contributions across British society—from community service and education to health, the arts, and enterprise.
This year’s event brought together leading figures, including Health Secretary Wes Streeting, Faith Communities and Resettlement Minister Lord Wajid Khan, Opposition Whip, Shadow Minister for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, David Simmonds, Will Foster MP attended on behalf of Sir Ed Davey, Leader of Liberal Democrats, SNP Westminster Leader Stephen Flynn, Former Attorney General, Dominic Grieve, Husam Zomlot, Ambassador, Palestine Mission to the UK, Sir (Mufti) Hamid Patel CBE, Chief Executive, Star Academies, Interim Chair, Ofsted Board, alongside community leaders and honoured guests.
Editor, Publisher, and Founder of The Muslim News Awards for Excellence, Ahmed J Versi, highlighted the importance of the event, stating:
“The Muslim News Awards for Excellence has grown into far more than a ceremony—it is a powerful statement, a resolute response, and a vital counter-narrative to the cynical and poisonous portrayals so often weaponised. This event uplifts and reminds us that true excellence goes beyond personal success—it is about lifting others.”
2025 Award Winners:
Alhambra Award for Excellence in the Arts
Winner: Alim Kamara
Annemarie Schimmel Award for Championing a Muslim Cause
Sponsored by The Salaam Centre
Winner: Sarah Owen MP
Malcolm X Young Person’s Award for Excellence
Winner: Councillor Atira-Rose Malik
Alija Izetbegovic Award for Good Citizenship
Winner: Abdul Qadir
Uthman Dan Fodio Award for Excellence in Community Development
Winner: FL Women & Family Wellness
Al-Biruni Award for Excellence in Community Relations
Winner: Suleman Khonat
Sankore University Award for Excellence in Education
Sponsored by Al-Khair Foundation
Winner: Professor Raheel Nawaz
Fazlur Rahman Khan Award for Excellence in Engineering, Science or Technology
Winner: Professor Sir Bashir M. Al-hashimi
Ummul Mu’minin Khadijah Award for Excellence in Enterprise
Winner: Holy Land Dates
Ibn Sina Award for Excellence in Health
Sponsored by The Lady Fatemah Charitable Trust
Winner: Professor Shahina Pardhan OBE
Ibn Battuta Award for Excellence in the Media
Winner: Emb Hashmi
Faezeh Hashemi Award for Excellence in Sport
Winner: Cycle Sisters
Imams Hasan and Husayn Children’s Award for Excellence
Sponsored by Muslim Hands
Winner: Naila Seetal
Iman wa Amal Special Award
Winner: Zara Mohammed
The Editor’s Lifetime Achievement Award
Winner: Mohammad Saleem Siddiqui
For more information, press photos or interviews, please contact:
The Muslim News
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.muslimnews.co.uk
ENDS
For more about the judges, click here
The full list of shortlisted nominees can be seen here:
