On Monday, July 14, The Muslim News Awards for Excellence returned to Central London, celebrating the outstanding achievements of British Muslims across a wide range of sectors. From interfaith leadership and scientific innovation to humanitarian work, education, media, and public service, this year’s honourees exemplify the highest standards of excellence and dedication. Each recipient has made a lasting impact through their contributions, reflecting the core values of integrity, service, and resilience that continue to shape and enrich British society. | Images © Abdul Datoo / The Muslim News.
Alhambrā Award for Excellence in the Arts
WINNER: Alim Kamara, a British Muslim of Sierra Leonean heritage from Tottenham, North London, is a celebrated storyteller and founder of Storie Storie. His dynamic storytelling inspires over 50,000 young people globally— from London to Kenya, Peru to Canada—promoting values of honesty, resilience, and cultural pride. Drawing from African oral traditions and Islamic principles, Alim’s work dismantles stereotypes and fosters unity. He has performed across six continents and earned praise from figures such as HRH Queen Camilla and the President of Sierra Leone. His engaging sessions are sought after by schools, charities, and institutions such as Channel 4 and Amnesty International. Through storytelling, Alim empowers young people to embrace their identity and values, making him a compelling role model and a worthy nominee for his contributions to community and youth development.
Annemarie Schimmel Award for Championing a Muslim Cause
WINNER: Sarah Owen, MP for Luton North, has championed British Muslim communities through fearless political leadership. As Co-Chair of the APPG on British Muslims, she has campaigned for the adoption of the APPG’s definition of Islamophobia and challenged the government on its failure to tackle anti-Muslim hatred. Despite facing far-right backlash and political cost—including resigning from Labour’s front bench over her call for a Gaza ceasefire, she remains steadfast in advocating for justice. Now Chair of the Women and Equalities Select Committee, she has launched a landmark inquiry into gendered Islamophobia. Sarah regularly engages with Muslim initiatives, showing sincere and consistent solidarity. Her advocacy reflects deep integrity and an unflinching commitment to equity and inclusion.
Imams Hasan and Husayn Children’s Award for Excellence
WINNER: Naila Seetal made history as the first Muslim and the first female Child Prime Minister of the Sir David Amess UK Children’s Parliament. A passionate advocate for animal welfare, the environment, and youth empowerment, she has co-chaired DEFRA and COBRA meetings, campaigned for Herbie’s Law, and championed STEM and diversity through her writing in First News. Her activism includes Football for Peace and interviewing the founder of Stability AI. Despite academic pressures, including her 11+ exams, Naila remains a powerful role model. From speaking in Parliament to writing to Queen Camilla about elephant protection, she continues to prove that young people, especially from minority backgrounds, can lead with compassion, resilience, and vision to create positive social change.
Uthmān dan Fodio Award for Excellence in Community Development
WINNER: FL Women and Family Wellness is a grassroots initiative led by Muslim women in Barking and Dagenham, East London. They have made a transformative impact through health, wellness, and empowerment programmes, especially during the pandemic and Ramadan, distributing food, prayer packs, and IT equipment to hundreds of families. Their work supports women overcoming domestic abuse, divorce, and unemployment, offering practical aid, training, and business guidance. They host inclusive community events and donate meals to the homeless weekly. With a growing network of volunteers, they run free physical, creative, and wellbeing activities for all ages. Their tireless commitment to inclusivity and support, regardless of faith or background, has earned them local recognition and the status of community champions.
Al Bīrūnī Award for Excellence in Community Relations
WINNER: Cllr Suleman Khonat JP, of Blackburn, is a lifelong volunteer and community leader. A local councillor since 2004, he serves as a magistrate and is known for his selfless work with the Blackburn Muslim Burial Society—supporting bereaved families from funeral arrangements to physically preparing graves. A passionate fundraiser, he has raised over £250,000 for East Lancs Hospice. A former weaver, bus conductor, and newsagent, Suleman rose to become National President of the National Federation of Retail Newsagents. He is also a founding governor of Tauheedul Islamic Girls’ School. Honoured with a BBC Community Hero nomination in 2018, his decades of grassroots service have profoundly impacted lives across Blackburn and beyond.
Sankoré University Award for Excellence in Education
WINNER: Professor Raheel Nawaz is Pro Vice-Chancellor at Staffordshire University and a global leader in AI and digital education. His innovative degree apprenticeship model has outperformed top UK universities-including Oxbridge, in graduate outcomes and influenced programmes worldwide from Canada to Spain, and Pakistan to New Zealand. A National Teaching Fellow and Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, he has published over 200 research articles and secured £14 million+ in grants. Nawaz has worked on criminal investigations, advised UK and international policymakers, including the Pakistani Prime Minister’s Task Force on Science and Technology, and worked with CERN and MIT on research for the Large Hadron Collider. A former Pakistani army officer turned academic; Nawaz is renowned for combining academic rigour with social impact.
Fazlur Rahman Khan Award for Excellence in Engineering, Science or Technology
WINNER: Professor Sir Bashir M. Al-Hashimi is a pioneering computer engineer, academic leader, and Vice President for Research & Innovation at King’s College London. Globally recognised for innovations in mobile device technology, his research has impacted billions. The first foreign-born non-white member of the University of Southampton’s Executive Board, he has led major engineering faculties across Russell Group universities. A dedicated mentor, he’s supervised 52 PhD students and championed research links with the Middle East and Africa. His leadership helped shape national engineering policy and education through roles with REF panels and the Royal Academy of Engineering. Awarded a CBE in 2018 and knighted in 2025, his work bridges research, education, and entrepreneurship while inspiring the next generation of engineers.
Ummul Mu’minīn Khadījah Award for Excellence in Enterprise
WINNER: Holy Land Dates is a socially driven business founded in 2016 by a husband-and-wife team to promote Palestinian heritage through ethical trade. Inspired by a 2014 trip to Palestine, the company imports dates, oils, ceramics, and more from small-scale Palestinian producers, ensuring complete traceability and fair sourcing. Their motto, “support Palestine through trade and aid”, reflects a deep commitment to both economic empowerment and humanitarian relief. Half of their net profits go to supporting vulnerable children in Palestine and globally, with over $8 million raised to build 3 schools, an orphanage, and 3 peadiatric intensive care units. Regular visits to Palestine foster strong relationships with local families and widows. Holy Land Dates exemplifies how business can preserve culture, create livelihoods, and drive global impact.
Alija Izetbegović Award for Good Citizenship
WINNER: Abdul Qadir, born in Yemen and moved to Liverpool at age 7, is a pioneering community leader whose lifelong service has transformed the lives of many in Liverpool and beyond. The UK’s first Yemeni councillor and its longest-serving, Abdul has championed equality, education, and local development for over five decades. He co-founded and supported numerous grassroots organisations and played a key role in revitalising Lodge Lane High Street into a vibrant, multicultural hub. He led efforts to secure school access for Muslim girls, protect transport rights for vulnerable families, and support residents during COVID-19—all while recovering from surgery. Abdul’s unwavering commitment, courage, and integrity have earned deep respect across communities. His legacy is one of humble, tireless service and lasting impact, making him a truly deserving recipient of this award.
Ibn Sīnā Award for Excellence in Health
WINNER: Professor Shahina Pardhan OBE, the first female professor of optometry in 2001, is a pioneering figure in optometry and blindness prevention. She was recently awarded an OBE for her services to optometry and preventing blindness. Her research highlights the higher risk of blindness due to diabetes in South Asian and Afro-Caribbean communities and the importance of retinal screening. Professor Pardhan developed culturally appropriate training materials in 15 languages, engaging religious leaders and community champions to raise awareness across the UK and internationally. To date, her work has impacted over 168,000 people worldwide. A champion for gender equity, she leads Women in Vision UK and has received numerous awards, including the Asian Women of Achievement Award and a Lifetime Fellowship from the College of Optometrists.
Ibn Battūta Award for Excellence in the Media
WINNER: Emb Hashmi is an award-winning journalist with over 11 years of experience across print, radio, and television. She is known for her impactful storytelling on underreported issues affecting marginalised communities. Notable work includes investigating domestic abuse among Muslim women, reporting on the hijab ban at the Paris Olympics, and exploring the cultural and health impacts of first-cousin marriages. Emb’s work on Sudanese refugees in Birmingham highlighted their resilience and contributions. Her reports have led to policy changes and increased support for domestic abuse services. Emb has received numerous accolades, including SHE Award Role Model of the Year and Journalist of the Year at the Pakistan Achievement Awards. She also launched the #BREAKTHEGLASS podcast, inspiring women worldwide.
Faezeh Hashemi Award for Excellence in Sport
WINNER: Cycle Sisters, founded in 2016, is the UK’s largest Muslim women’s grassroots cycling organisation, with over 1,500 members and 10 local groups. The organisation empowers Muslim women by breaking down barriers to physical activity and providing a culturally sensitive, supportive environment for cycling. Over 130 women have been trained as volunteer Ride Leaders, and more than 500 social rides have been hosted. Key initiatives like the Smiles and Miles challenge and the Tri Sisters project support Muslim women in cycling and triathlon participation. The organisation also advocates for inclusion, mental health, and neurodiversity while showcasing Islamic values such as environmental stewardship. With a focus on community-building, Cycle Sisters has transformed lives, with 92% of participants reporting improved health and increased confidence.
Malcolm X Young Person’s Award for Excellence
WINNER: Cllr Atira-Rose Malik, 18, from Bradford, made history as the youngest South Asian girl elected to local office in England. A fierce community advocate, she serves independently, focused solely on youth needs. A long-standing member of the charity Humanity Calling, Atira plays a key role in helping organise events that support the homeless and vulnerable both locally and abroad. She works closely with police to build youth trust and leads initiatives tackling sexual harassment, including a national railway safety campaign. A vocal advocate for youth opportunity, she gives motivational talks and leads interfaith iftar events. Despite bullying and learning difficulties, Atira’s resolve remains unshaken. Her story is one of perseverance: despite facing bullying for being a young woman in leadership, she has remained humble and committed to her beliefs, with great achievements in public service, activism, and grassroots leadership.
Iman wa Amal Special Award
WINNER: Zara Mohammed is the first woman and youngest person to serve as Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain. In her role, she has championed community development, visiting over 200 organisations nationwide and inspiring young people—especially women—to lead and achieve. Under her leadership, the MCB promotes unity, representation, and confidence among British Muslims. Zara supported mosques participating in the “Visit My Mosque” initiative through her visits and interviews, and has also worked with political, educational, and civic leaders to strengthen interfaith understanding. Zara also helped amplify safeguarding efforts by co-signing a joint letter with the NSPCC calling for action on child abuse. Zara’s tireless efforts have cemented her as a respected voice for British Muslims and a role model for the next generation.
The Editor’s Life Time Achievement Award
WINNER: Ex Senior chemist, Mohammad Saleem Siddiqui has led a varied and long career. Following the India Pakistan partition, Siddiqui co-founded the Impact Magazine in 1971, which became a leading voice for the Muslim community. Later elected as a parent governor for his children’s school, Siddiqui’s role in public service took off. He then dedicated 24 years to public service, including roles in the Greater London Council and as a Councillor for London Borough of Hackney, where he was elected as Civic Mayor twice. For his contributions, he received the Honorary Freedom of Hackney. Today, he continues to serve as a Public Governor for NHS Trusts.
