Kumail Jaffer
British Muslims continue to put their “best foot forward” and excel across all areas of society, despite enduring “deep pain” both at home and abroad, The Muslim News Editor Ahmed J Versi told attendees at The Muslim News Awards for Excellence Gala Dinner on July 14.
The 21st annual ceremony honoured the outstanding achievements of British Muslims in fields such as science, education, sport, enterprise, and public service. But while the evening was a celebration, it was also one of reflection, as the community grapples with mounting Islamophobia and a global crisis—most notably, the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.
Versi reflected on the past year, describing how British Muslims have endured Islamophobic riots, persistent institutional discrimination, and the UK Government’s “silence” in response to atrocities committed by Israel in Gaza—developments that have “deeply affected” the community.
He noted that, while British Muslims continue to make vital contributions, their progress has been cast under “a heavy shadow of rising Islamophobia” and “unprecedented levels of discrimination, marginalisation and hate”.
In a powerful and sombre address, Versi said, “Tonight is not only a night of celebration, but also a moment for sober reflection, for we do not gather in a vacuum.
“Islamophobic attacks reached a violent peak last July when far-right riots swept through our towns. Mosques were vandalised, Muslim-owned businesses, attacked, and Muslim women harassed on the streets. Despite years of advocacy, our pleas for protection have gone unanswered.
“As we demand justice at home, we must also confront our double standards abroad. This month marks 30 years since the Srebrenica genocide, when over 8,000 Bosniak Muslim men and boys were murdered while the world stood by. It was a grim lesson – silence in the face of genocide is complicity. The same silence now echoes in Gaza.
“While Israel kills thousands of innocent Palestinians, the Western world – with the power to intervene and stop the slaughter – remains, at best, passive.”
Versi’s words struck a chord with attendees—prompting Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who was present, to set aside his prepared speech, defended the Labour government’s record on Gaza and Islamophobia, and address the issues raised directly.
“There is optimism and confidence on one hand about the people we’re celebrating and their impact on society,” said Streeting, “but also anguish about the state of cohesion in this country and the rising tide of Islamophobia, which we saw unfiltered and unvarnished in the riots last summer.”
Turning to the Israeli invasion of Gaza—which has killed over 50,000 Palestinians—Streeting responded with candour, “There are a number of things our government has done to move us closer to a ceasefire, the end of this war and a two-state solution.
“What happened on October 7 was barbaric and inhumane – but it cannot be healed or solved by inflicting the same suffering. I feel as angry and as powerless as people who are marching through the streets of London on a regular basis.
“You are right to challenge us because what we are seeing is truly horrifying, inhumane and unjustifiable. But my colleagues in government work intensively to build international pressure to bring an end to this conflict.
“I know that won’t be a popular message, some won’t even believe it to be a credible message – but this government wants to see an end to this war and a recognition of a Palestinian state…before there is no longer a Palestinian state left to recognise.”
Streeting, who retained his Ilford North seat by a narrow 528-vote margin against pro-Gaza independent candidate Leanne Mohamed, acknowledged the political cost of his stance:
“Regardless of the absolute kicking that people gave me at the ballot box – I did notice, by the way – my commitment to tackling Islamophobia and on Palestinian rights are things I do not because of political convenience, but because I really care about them.”
As past co-chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for British Muslims, Streeting also addressed the long-delayed effort to define an alternative Islamophobia officially. A new working group has finally been tasked with delivering an alternative definition—a project many hopes will lead to accountability and real change.
“We cannot let the Islamophobia that Muslims experience go unchallenged and unpunished.
If you cannot define a problem, how on earth are you ever going to tackle it?
“There’s a fork in the road for our country – to be a Britain where everyone belongs and we support the ties that bind us together – or we can choose to be a narrow, small-minded country that thinks the way to address divisions is to exploit them and [blame] the minority.”
Former Attorney General, Dominic Grieve, who chairs the working group, echoed the evening’s theme of recognising shared values and contributions.
“It is always moving and impressive to see the winners and runners up, and the amount of work they have done for our common good in this country.
“I hope in the work I have been doing most recently, that the working group may be able to further our common good as well.”
A host of dignitaries, including Faith Minister Lord Wajid Khan, SNP Westminster Leader Stephen Flynn, and Lib Dem MP Will Forster (on behalf of Sir Ed Davey), also paid tribute to the achievements of British Muslims.
Lord Khan captured the essence of the evening. “Strong community relations are the cornerstone of a cohesive society, and are built through consistent effort, shared values, meaningful dialogue and a willingness to work together across our differences. That commitment is reflected in the people gathered here.
“The work of British Muslims represents a powerful example of how faith, compassion and commitment to others can strengthen the fabric of our society – and that community isn’t about uniformity.”
Still, the conflict in Gaza loomed large. The prestigious Ummul Mu’minin Khadijah Award for Excellence in Enterprise was presented to Holy Land Dates, while the suffering in Palestine remained at the forefront of attendees’ minds.
Palestinian Ambassador to the UK, Husam Zomlot, delivered a moving address, “The last 22 months have been particularly horrible – but I have witnessed your community leaders, your journalists, our journalists, your charity contributions.
“It is so heartening to see the Muslim community contributes four times the average Brit – because fighting with injustice and siding with the poor is a pillar of our faith.”
Zomlot condemned the killing of over 200 Palestinian journalists and decried efforts to silence the truth, “Israel wants to kill in darkness. We must make sure that the war against our journalists ends and that war criminals are held accountable.”
Also recognised was Luton North MP Sarah Owen, who resigned from the Labour frontbench in 2023 to support a ceasefire. She received the Annemarie Schimmel Award for Championing a Muslim Cause. “Luton is one of the most deprived areas in the country, but it is one of the most generous – and it’s mostly during Ramadan. We’re a few years away from a General Election but it has already started – the hatred, the division, the othering – we need to go back into the communities we serve and fight for everything we believe in.”
From across the political spectrum, messages of unity and shared humanity resounded.
Conservative Shadow Housing, Levelling Up and Communities Minister, David Simmonds, added, “When we look at all the awards and candidates tonight, it’s clear that what we have in common is far stronger than what divides us.”
Among the night’s distinguished guests was Sir Hamid Patel, interim Chair of Ofsted, whose presence drew attention to the Islamophobic backlash he faced after his historic appointment. He presented the Sankore University Award for Excellence in Education to Professor Raheel Nawaz.
Former MCB Secretary General Zara Mohammed, one of eight women recognised among the 15 winners, a trend which has been seen at The Muslim News Awards over the past few years. Reflecting on her term as the first woman—and youngest—leader of the organisation, she said:
“After four years of an intense leadership experience unlike any other, I want to share this award with all of you.
“It’s been a rollercoaster ride – to be the first woman, the youngest and the first Scot – and in the toughest times, when we almost got banned, international conflict, riots, I used to ask myself why I was doing this. If we don’t dare to put our head above the parapet, take a step forward and make some change, then what really is the point?”
The evening also featured a musical performance by singer-songwriter Farhana Ali, representing Universal Music. Each winner received a beautifully crafted brass astrolabe, a historic Muslim-designed instrument used for navigation and astronomical observation—symbolising guidance, precision, and the enduring legacy of Islamic civilisation.
Photo: HE Husam Zomlot, Ambassador, Palestine Mission to UK; Rt Hon Stephen Flynn MP, SNP Westminster Leader; Lord Wajid Khan, Lords Minister for Faith Communities & Resettlement. Centre: Mufti Sir Hamid Patel CBE, Interim Chair, Ofsted; Rt Hon Wes Streeting, Health Secretary; Rt Hon David Simmonds MP, Shadow Minister for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities. Bottom: Rt Hon Dominic Grieve KC, Former Attorney General; Rt Hon Will Forster MP, Liberal Democrats; Ahmed J Versi, Editor, The Muslim News. (Credit: Abdul Datoo/The Muslim News)
Kumail Jaffer is a Freelance Journalist
