The Muslim News is proud to share the wonderful feedback received from The Muslim News Awards for Excellence event, especially as we mark our 20th anniversary. Our guests’ enthusiastic responses underscore the success of this milestone event and the hard work that made it possible. We extend our sincere gratitude to our volunteers, sponsors, hotel staff, and everyone who contributed by nominating outstanding individuals and organizations.
Shifa Peeran, Senior Management Consultant, & Uzma Peeran, Project Manager, Consultancy NHS.(Credit: Abdul Datoo/The Muslim News)
As usual, the awards ceremony was organised and delivered with the warmest hospitality from the supporting team and precision in time management by the wonderful presenter, who took us through the night with professionalism that was second to none. The highlight of the evening, for me and for the entire audience, who wholeheartedly gave a standing ovation, was the attendance of the Ambassador of Palestine, Dr. Husam Zomlot. This passionate, charismatic man is the epitome of decency and integrity and the most accomplished representation of a people who have longed for decades to live with dignity—a longing that has been cruelly denied by the genocidal and apartheid state of Israel, as they continue to be murdered daily. Before the entire world, these people are dying with the greatest dignity known to mankind. This is why the watching world is turning towards them and acknowledging the pain they have endured for the last century. Dr. Zomlot’s presence at the ceremony, his presentation, and the award presented to him on behalf of the most deserving people of the night—the journalists of Palestine—brought an enduring memory to the evening that will not be forgotten anytime soon.
Batool Al-Toma, Founder,Convert Muslim Foundation
Mehreen Khan, Economics Editor, The Times. (Credit: Abdul Datoo/The Muslim News)
The organisation of the event was excellent. We had the opportunity to meet new people making substantial contributions to their communities. Hats off to you for discovering these individuals and organisations. Networking helps tap into each other’s resourcefulness and multiply the impact.
Qadir Bakhsh MBE, MD,Cheetah Books
Please accept my warmest congratulations to you and your team for a very successful gala dinner. It was very well attended by the key players in our country. We had the chance to network with decision-makers. The food was good, and the timing was perfect.
Jaffer Kapasi OBE, NDI, Consul General, Uganda High Commission
Thank you for hosting such an amazing event and for reaching out to our community’s unsung heroes. It was inspiring to be in the presence of so many talented, charitable, and amazing Britons. Your event showcased how important the contributions of Muslims are to the UK. I loved everything; the venue, food, hospitality, and service were fitting to honour the shortlistees, winners, charitable organisations, and sponsors who make it all possible for our community to thrive despite the many challenges we face. I am truly humbled and honoured to have been invited. Its magnificence and grandeur will remain etched in my memories forever.
Famida Rawoot, Principal, Eden Girls Leadership Academy
Adeela Shabazz, Director of Pathwaze Ltd, along with Sadia Ashraf, Clear Start Accountants,and Fiaz Ashraf, CEO of Clear Start Accountants. (Credit: Abdul Datoo/The Muslim News)
I have attended many events, and this one was truly enriching. The speeches were short and powerful, I met some amazing people, and the award categories were thoughtfully chosen. The timing, food, location, and venue were great. My only suggestion is to take a group photo of all the winners with yourself and the guest speakers on stage.
Noushin Raja, Founder, Moonlight Trust
The selection of nominees and award recipients was the best of the best in their respective fields. The programe’s atmosphere was very nice. The timing was perfect. Overall, the organisation was perfect.
Pervez Qureshi BEM, Funeral Director, Brick Lane Funerals
The event was superbly managed, the timing perfect, and the host was very professional and kept the sombreness and dignity of the occasion, which was highly appropriate given the suffering within the Muslim community. The nominations and winners reflect the future leadership of young British Muslims. I very much appreciated your speech, touching on all the issues faced by British Muslims but keeping it very balanced and non-emotional. I also liked how the event was not biased towards political persuasion, especially in light of the looming election.
Maqsood Ahmed OBE, CDE, Acumen Ltd
The food was excellent, and the service was prompt. Such moments are a wonderful testament to the strength and diversity of our community, and it was great to see so many people showcased—and indeed to network with them. May Allah SWT reward you for your great service to this Ummah.
Salman Waqar, President, British Islamic Medical Association
It was an honour to attend. I thoroughly enjoyed the evening. The event was a remarkable showcase of the achievements of young people and an inspiring testament to the strength and unity of our community. Your efforts in bringing us all together are deeply appreciated.
Zara Mohammed, Secretary General, Muslim Council of Britain
Hatim, Asma, Sakina & Rashida Suterwalla. (Credit: Abdul Datoo/The Muslim News)
Thank you very much for inviting me to attend this distinguished awards ceremony. The most beautiful feeling I experienced was finding myself among a large family. The honouring of distinguished individuals was wonderful and infused the attendees with positive energy, encouraging them to continue achieving more success. The reception was beautiful, and the organisation was exemplary.
Mohamad Noun, Senior Broadcast Journalist, Founder of Rouhalkalam
The awards ceremony highlighted some of the great work being done by Muslims across Britain, much of which I was unaware of. These awards are a great way to bring this good work to the attention of the wider public. Your contributions to this effort are truly magnificent. The brief vignette on the work of each award recipient was well-placed, and the entire award distribution was well-managed. The speeches were brief and relevant, particularly your keynote address, which we found to be particularly thoughtful. The timing of the event was just appropriate, and the catering was excellent: not too many dishes (often an issue at other events) and very delicious.
Dr Shiraz Kabani, Head, Communications & Development, The Institute of Ismaili Studies
Dr. Mozammel Haque, Advisor, Islamic Cultural Centre in London, & Mohamed Saleem Siddiqui, Freeman, London Borough of Hackney. (Credit: Abdul Datoo/The Muslim News)
We really enjoyed the evening. Everyone was so friendly, and we met new people and had interesting conversations, as well as seeing old friends again. The catering was great, as was the timing and everything else. I’m sure you’ll send out a link to the event video interviews in due course. I was moved by the address from the Palestine ambassador, and the theme of Palestine rightly ran throughout the event.
Dr. Kambiz Boomla, GP
Thank you once again for your kind invitation. And congratulations on the resounding success of the event and the work that you do. It was a great honour and pleasure to be part of this memorable event. I wish you and your team continued success in the future.
Sali Shahsivari,
Al-Furqan Islamic Heritage Foundation
Congratulations on a fantastic event and the impact on the awards for 20 years. It was, as always, an honour to be invited and to be inspired by the winners and shortlist, by the speakers, by fellow guests, the lovely volunteers, and, of course, by you. Please pass on my congratulations and thanks to all your team. I hope you can enjoy a much-deserved rest soon after another brilliant year of planning, before starting the next one! Thank you for all you do in our communities and country.
Caroline Diehl MBE,
Founder & CEO, Social Founders
Ali Fazel Consultant Deloitte Ilyas Govani Founder & CEO Gains with Govinchi.(Credit: Abdul Datoo/The Muslim News)
Congratulations on another successful awards ceremony! Alhamdulillah, it was great to have so many wonderful nominees and speakers who are all very inspiring. The standing ovation for Palestinian journalists was especially moving.
Zainub Chohan, Project Manager, Community Development & Young Muslim Writers Awards, Muslim Hands UK
I very much enjoyed it. Thank you so much for inviting me. It was an incredible event. Congratulations.
Dawn Alford, Executive Director, Society of Editors
Thank you so much for a fantastic awards ceremony. You once again gathered an incredible array of people at the Marriott Hotel and delivered an extraordinary array of worthy winners. Cyclist, referee, young genius, health and social carers—and I was particularly delighted to see so many women among those collecting awards. The food was delicious, and I really enjoyed my time at my table. I had excellent conversations, and along with the speeches, it was a thought-provoking and inspiring evening.
Sarah Whitehead, Director of Newsgathering and Operations, Sky News
