The Muslim News Awards for Excellence 2025: Introducing the Independent Panel of Judges

Prof Farida Fortune CBE is Professor of Medicine in Relation to Oral Health at Queen Mary University of London, where she also directs the Centre for Immunobiology and Regenerative Medicine and the London Behçet’s Centre of Excellence. Renowned for her work in oral medicine, immunology, and rare diseases, she has received major honours including a CBE, the Colyer Gold Medal, and an Honorary Fellowship from the Royal College of Surgeons. Her research, particularly in Behçet’s disease and mucosal biology, has attracted multi-million-pound funding for specialist centres and clinical trials. Professor Fortune is also a committed advocate for health equity, mentoring underrepresented professionals and leading initiatives to widen access to healthcare and education globally. She has played a key role in COVID-19 outreach, addressing vaccine mistrust through community-based strategies recognised nationally and internationally.

Hawa Haragakiza is a British anti-knife crime campaigner of Congolese heritage. Her advocacy began following the tragic loss of her 15-year-old son, Tamim, who was fatally stabbed in south-east London in 2021. In his memory, she founded Tamim’s Legacy, a grassroots organisation focused on tackling youth violence and supporting bereaved families. Through the organisation, Hawa delivers school workshops, partners with local councils, and provides safe spaces for young people to share their concerns. She also leads support groups for mothers affected by knife crime, offering both comfort and a sense of community. In 2024, she received the Founder’s Choice Award at the Muslim Women Awards in recognition of her impact. Haragakiza continues to advocate for stronger community engagement and institutional action to address the root causes of youth violence.

Ali Shalchi is a lawyer at the Office of Speaker’s Counsel, which advises the Speaker and departments of the House of Commons. Born in London to Iraqi parents, he studied law at Gonville and Caius College at the University of Cambridge, where he was President of the Islamic Society. After graduating, he trained and practised commercial law at two Magic Circle law firms before moving to the House of Commons in 2020. He recently graduated with Distinction in the House of Commons’ flagship qualification in Advising MPs on Parliamentary Procedure.

Kasturi Misra is an experienced political risk analyst with a particular passion for the study of the geopolitics of the Middle East and North Africa region. She continues to provide strategic advisory, communications support and intelligence to public sector entities and multinational corporations in the region. Originally from New Delhi, she is fascinated by the historical, cultural and political connections between India and the Islamic world. She holds an MPhil in Global and Area Studies from the University of Oxford.

Ayaz Zuberi is Head of PR at the London Central Mosque & Islamic Cultural Centre. With over 20 years in the Muslim charitable sector, Ayaz, who is of Pakistani heritage, has led national interfaith and counter-extremism initiatives in partnership with the Home Office. He runs a monthly Introduction to Islam course that has welcomed over 20,000 new Muslims and has developed digital platforms for more than 100 Muslim organisations, including collaborations with Shaykh Hamza Yusuf. He founded the National Mosque Advisory Group and the London Madrassah Network, authored two madrasah textbooks used nationwide, and has trained over 400 mosques with the Charity Commission to improve governance. His women’s support group has empowered over 5,000 participants. In 2016, he led the British Hajj Delegation, representing more than 20,000 pilgrims in Makkah.