The Muslim News Awards for Excellence: 2026 Shortlist

Nusaiba Mohammad-Timol, a London-based, multi-award-winning cultural leader, artist, and entrepreneur, is recognised for her transformative impact on arts and representation. She advises senior leaders in Parliament on culture and inclusion and was personally recognised by King Charles as one of fifteen women championing diversity in the UK. As Founder and CEO of Waw Creative Arts and Waw Arts Academy, the world’s first Muslim creative arts academy, she pioneers a faith-rooted model of creative education, creating pathways into the creative industries. She co-founded London’s first Modest Fashion Week and delivered major civic programmes, including Eid on the Square, as Creative Programme Partner to the Mayor of London. Her work includes producing Tapestry of Belonging, launched at the House of Lords. Furthermore, she is a historic trailblazer, becoming the first Muslim woman to write and direct a non-Shakespearean production on Shakespeare’s Globe main stage.

Sabrina Ali, a London-based British-Somali writer and actor, centres her work on authentic storytelling and representation through comedy and performance. Making her stage debut in HOME (2019) with the Side eYe collective, she explored Somali family life. Despite training in law, she pursued the arts, writing, co-directing, and starring in her acclaimed debut one-woman play, Muna Knows It All (2021). She further developed her distinctive voice through Dugsi Dayz, a coming-of-age comedy inspired by her Qur’anic school experiences, staged at the Edinburgh Fringe 2023, which won the BBC Writersroom Popcorn Award and the New Diorama & Underbelly Untapped Award. A member of The Royal Court Writers Group and the VAL Writing Lab, Sabrina has been recognised by The Guardian as part of a new generation elevating British-Somali culture.

Sonia Sabri MBE, a Birmingham-based, internationally acclaimed Kathak dance artist and choreographer, has significantly advanced South Asian classical dance globally. In 2025, she was awarded an MBE for Services to Dance, becoming the first British-born Indian woman fully trained in Kathak in the UK to receive this recognition. Trained in classical Kathak and at LAMDA, she developed a distinctive style blending traditional technique with contemporary storytelling. Her performances span leading venues like the Royal Festival Hall and the Edinburgh Festival, and she was Associate Choreographer for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony. Leading the Sonia Sabri Company as Artistic Director, her wider work includes a national Kathak-based literacy programme and global outreach initiatives, expanding access and representation in the arts.

Deborah Weston OBE, a Hampshire-based educator and national leader in Religious Education, has significantly advanced understanding of Islam and strengthened community relations over three decades. Serving 34 years as an RE teacher and later Chair of the National Association of Teachers of RE, she played a central role in shaping national curriculum frameworks. As Director of Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Development at Mulberry School for Girls, she strengthened the teaching of Islam and led interfaith initiatives and national conferences. Voluntarily working with the Al Khoei Foundation, she developed educational resources to promote intra-faith understanding. Through her continued work with national bodies, teacher training, and media engagement, she consistently champions informed and respectful representation of Islam.

Peter Oborne, a London-based journalist and author, is recognised for his principled challenge to the misrepresentation of Muslim communities in media and political discourse. Over several decades, he has highlighted the treatment of Muslims as a critical test of democratic integrity. His investigative work, including the Channel 4 documentary It Shouldn’t Happen to a Muslim and the co-authored book Muslims Under Siege, exposed systemic bias. He consistently challenges flawed narratives surrounding the Prevent strategy and the Trojan Horse affair. In 2015, he resigned from The Daily Telegraph protesting the suppression of reporting on HSBC cases affecting Muslim organisations. Continuing to write for platforms like Middle East Eye, his book The Fate of Abraham offers a wider critique of Western perceptions of Islam.

The Commonwealth War Memorial Bradford, an award-winning civic initiative delivered by Bradford Council, has significantly advanced inclusion in Britain’s public memory by recognising Muslim and Commonwealth service. Located beside the Bradford Cenotaph following a 2021 heritage review, it is the only memorial of its kind outside London. Led by Saira Ali with community leadership from Mahmood Mohammed, the project was shaped through extensive consultation with local communities, veterans’ families, and faith groups. Built from Yorkshire stone, it embeds Muslim heritage within the city’s civic landscape and Bradford’s Cohesion Framework. Functioning as a living civic space, it hosts national events, interfaith gatherings, and school visits, supported by educational resources and plans for a digital archive preserving wartime histories.

Amal and Ameerah Shikoh, six-year-old twin sisters from Stockton-on-Tees, reflect an exceptional commitment to compassion and social responsibility. Since age four, they have supported humanitarian causes, raising £70 for the 2022 Pakistan floods via a school cupcake sale. In 2025, they independently organised a second fundraiser, raising £170 for emergency aid. Motivated by personal connections to Pakistan and India and awareness of global injustice, they focus on conflict-affected children, particularly in Gaza. Demonstrating remarkable generosity, they donated their entire £250 birthday savings to support displaced and orphaned children. Locally, they contribute to Ramadan initiatives, including preparing iftar food parcels, and continue to plan further fundraising activities, consistently exemplifying values of charity and empathy.

Ayaan Syed, an emerging British volleyball talent, challenges underrepresentation and promotes inclusion within sport. At just 14, he became the youngest member of the England Under-16 national team, contributing to an international bronze medal finish in Denmark. Demonstrating exceptional ability, he has been selected for the England Under-18 squad to compete in the 2026 Winter World Cup, playing three years above his age group. Based in Chelmsford, Ayaan represents a visible, positive example of British Muslim identity within a historically niche sport. Through his conduct, he promotes respect and merit-based success, actively supporting grassroots development by mentoring younger players. His dedication and commitment to giving back position him as an inspiring cross-community role model.

Lateefa Miah, a Worthing-based student leader, demonstrates a strong commitment to justice, inclusion, and community advocacy. Academically engaged and highly regarded, her maturity and intellectual curiosity help foster a collaborative school environment. As a founding member of a local Youth Panel working with a town councillor, she played a leading role in developing the Safe Haven scheme, creating designated safe spaces for young people within local businesses. She secured support for the initiative by delivering a speech at Worthing Town Hall. Her advocacy extends to representing Muslim voices in civic discussions, including the expansion of Worthing Mosque. Within school, she promotes inclusion through International Culture Day and is currently standing for Head Girl.

Amanati, a London-based, volunteer-led organisation founded by Fayekah Taki Amanati, advances inclusion for individuals with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) within Muslim communities. Rooted in Islamic values of compassion and justice, it ensures disabled individuals and their families are fully included in community life. Led by parents and professionals, Amanati has supported over 100 families through tailored assistance, peer support spaces, and workshops. The organisation delivers SEND-friendly events, sensory-aware Ramadan iftars, and an immersive Hajj experience. Its wider advocacy includes documentaries, the Out of Sight podcast, and a national Accessibility and Inclusivity Guide for mosques and madrasahs, continuing to transform awareness and inclusion across Muslim communities.

Sajda Khatoon Shah MBE, an award-winning London-based public and charity sector leader, has delivered sustained impact in community development and social justice. Awarded an MBE in 2026, she has supported marginalised groups throughout her career, particularly women and minoritised communities. Leading Waltham Forest’s Connecting Communities programme, she engaged over 10,000 residents, enabled 50,000 to participate in community life, and supported 1,000 volunteers. During the Covid-19 pandemic, she coordinated emergency support for over 100,000 vulnerable residents. Her wider leadership encompasses support for care leavers and domestic abuse survivors. As a Non-Executive Director at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, she contributes to national health equity work while mentoring community-led organisations.

Salma Ravat MBE, a Leicester-based charity leader and CEO of One Roof Leicester, provides accommodation and holistic support to individuals experiencing homelessness, including migrants and asylum seekers. With over 20 years’ experience addressing social inequality, she began with the Eat’n’Meet project, establishing Leicester’s first Muslim-run homelessness drop-in service in partnership with a local church. Co-founding One Roof Leicester, she expanded operations to 15 houses providing 45 bed spaces, decisively supporting individuals with no recourse to public funds. Through these housing initiatives, over 150 people have secured permanent accommodation. In 2016, she united over 14 faith groups to establish Leicester’s first multi-faith night shelter, consistently transforming support for vulnerable communities.

Hand on Heart, founded in Ealing in 2019 by Afzal Pardhan, is a grassroots, faith-inspired charity delivering vital support to people experiencing homelessness and poverty across the UK. Registered in 2021, it expanded rapidly during the pandemic, gaining national recognition for dignified frontline outreach. By 2025, it operated across 36 locations, supported by 600 volunteers and 30 partner organisations, reaching over 42,000 individuals. Providing essentials like clothing and hygiene kits to 9,000 people annually, it also offers haircuts and one-to-one engagement that restores dignity, notably treating beneficiaries as guests. Supplying 1,000 children yearly with school rucksacks, it launched 2025 CSR partnerships with PwC and United Airlines, expanding its mission internationally to Berlin.

Najma Khalid MBE DL, an Oldham-based community leader, has spent over 30 years transforming the lives of disadvantaged women and strengthening social cohesion. Drawing on her lived experience as a domestic abuse survivor, she founded Women’s CHAI Project CIC in 2011, which now supports over 200 women weekly through 10 community groups. The project addresses health inequalities with trauma-informed programmes, resulting in 99.1% reporting improved mental health and many progressing into leadership. Partnering with the British Council, she has trained over 100 women in leadership. Internationally, she supports widows in Pakistan and fundraises for Africa, representing grassroots leadership in Istanbul in 2025. She was recognised with an MBE in 2022 and appointed Deputy Lieutenant in 2025.

Dr Raja Amjid Riaz, a London-based NHS Consultant Surgeon and Chairman of the Central Mosque of Brent, has transformed the mosque into a major community hub promoting equality and wellbeing. Under his guidance, the mosque delivers extensive services, including food support, health clinics, and youth programmes. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he led the UK’s largest mosque-based vaccination programme, administering over 14,000 vaccines. He subsequently established a Health and Medical Education Facility to address health inequalities. Dr Riaz also leads NHS-funded cancer screening initiatives and manages a thrice-weekly surplus food market alongside the WG Community Café providing free meals. Actively advocating for civic cohesion, his work earned the King’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2023.

Atiya Saithna, a North Harrow-based educator, boasts a career spanning three decades of pioneering work in faith-based education. Qualifying as a teacher in 1987, she became Headteacher of Ayesha Community School, shaping a model combining academic excellence with strong Islamic values. She expertly navigated delivering faith-based education within the UK system, structurally influencing networks of Muslim educators and advocating for inclusive education. Following retirement, she authored Beyond the Shadows of Memory, drawing on caring for her husband to raise dementia awareness in Muslim communities. Speaking at the Muslim Literature Festival in Manchester, she actively supports dementia cafés for carers and continues to fiercely advocate for inclusive education and dementia awareness within faith communities.

Sobia Razzaq, a Watford-based Senior Lecturer in Law at the University of Westminster, heavily focuses on widening participation and supporting women of colour and Muslim students. She founded the Elevating Futures programme, a career development initiative for Level 6 South Asian female students, which improves graduate outcomes and confidence, featuring opportunities like a House of Lords visit. Co-leading the Women of Westminster network, she creates platforms for dialogue on gender-based violence and identity, elevating Muslim women’s leadership visibility. Holding a Muslim Chaplaincy certificate, she expands educational access by delivering short courses at HMP Pentonville Prison. Furthermore, she contributes to public discourse via Times Higher Education and leads major transnational Knowledge Exchange projects.

Sunnah Trust CIC, a volunteer-led organisation established in 2017, addresses a critical gap in soft skills and leadership development for young people within state and Islamic schools. Co-founded by London-based Shahin Ahmed, it has delivered over 100 sessions to more than 350 young people, with 20 volunteers contributing over 1,500 annual hours. Operating across South London, its flagship Servitude programme rigorously develops communication and leadership skills grounded in the prophetic example. Through workshops and team challenges, 97% of participants report improved confidence and communication. The programme broadens aspirations through educational visits, including Cambridge University. Additionally, the Trust collaborates with Nida Trust and Legacy Project to co-organise the Muslim Education Fair in London.

Professor Dean Mohamedally, a leading Professor of Computer Science at University College London, specialises in Software Engineering with sustained real-world impact across industry and public services. Leading the UCL Industry Exchange Network, he transformed university-industry collaboration, enabling thousands of R&D projects with practical outcomes for healthcare and education. His structural focus on Assistive Technology has produced inclusive digital tools enhancing independence for disabled individuals. Annually mentoring nearly 500 students, he coordinates specialist groups in IoT, AR/VR, and user-centred design. Actively advancing widening participation in STEM for underrepresented groups, he is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and widely recognised for bridging complex research with societal impact.

Saira Hussain, a Manchester-based architectural designer and founder of HAD & Co, brings over 15 years of experience in the built environment across the North West. Integrating hand sketching, CAD drafting, and digital modelling, she ensures projects are rigorously developed from concept to completion. Sustainability underpins her practice, strongly emphasising reduced environmental impact and long-term space usability. Overcoming structural barriers in a male-dominated sector, she actively advocates for greater inclusion. She widely delivers school design workshops, encouraging women and minority youth to pursue architecture, whilst mentoring emerging professionals. As a Federation of Small Businesses member, she formally influences national inclusion policies, participating in the Going Global initiative at the Houses of Parliament.

Shah Ruhul Amin OBE, appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 2026 New Year Honours, is a leading figure in digital identity recognised for sustained innovation in fintech and AI. As Co-Founder and Chief Architect of Onfido, he pioneered machine learning for digital identity verification, delivering secure, scalable solutions to global fraud. His AI-driven biometric systems address emerging threats like deepfakes, ensuring highly resilient identity infrastructure. He spearheaded Onfido’s growth into a global enterprise serving 1,200 organisations, leading to its 2024 acquisition by Entrust. Beyond his commercial success, he has actively supported over 5,000 young people via coding programmes, widening participation in technology and aiding social mobility.

Arfy Majeed, a London-based entrepreneur, transforms high-level finance expertise into a purpose-driven enterprise empowering women. Following a 20-year career managing global portfolios exceeding $20 billion, she identified a profound gap in culturally relevant financial education for Muslim women. Consequently, she founded Wealth Oasis, an ethical platform making financial literacy accessible and aligned with faith. The platform strategically builds financial confidence, delivering practical education on budgeting, taxation, investing, and blockchain, entirely free from jargon. Combining empathy with technical expertise, Arfy enables women to actively control their financial futures. Her initiative addresses critical financial literacy gaps, breaking cultural taboos around money and functioning as a highly scalable platform redefining women’s economic empowerment.

Causee (formerly Labayk), a pioneering London-based e-commerce platform founded by Tanweer Khan, embeds social purpose directly at the heart of commerce. Operating on the principle that economic activity must generate meaningful impact, the platform donates 100% of its post-operational profits to charitable causes. Causee seamlessly transforms everyday transactions into acts of giving, evolving into a scalable digital marketplace. It continually invests in advanced digital technologies to optimize security and user experience. Its highly inclusive framework empowers consumers to direct support toward a broad spectrum of registered charities, facilitating flexible local and global impact. By merging ethical enterprise with digital innovation, Causee successfully demonstrates that commercial viability and profound social responsibility can definitively coexist.

Once Upon A Dua, co-founded by London entrepreneurs Ash and Jayda Zaman, is a pioneering children’s lifestyle brand redefining the retail space. Launched in 2022 as the world’s first Scandinavian-inspired Muslim faith-based children’s brand, it addresses a distinct market gap for modern Muslim families seeking meaningful products. Rapidly achieving multi-award-winning status with over 20 industry accolades, its products rigorously nurture identity and family values while maintaining premium contemporary design. Featured in publications like British Vogue, it expanded via a John Lewis Westfield pop-up. Concurrently, the brand integrates core social impact through global giving initiatives supporting poverty alleviation and clean water access, embodying values-driven entrepreneurship within a highly scalable business model.

Karim Sacoor, a London-based community leader, exemplifies outstanding citizenship through decades of inclusive advocacy. Inspired by his severely autistic son, he has spent over thirty years advocating for disabled families, securing specialist provision and safeguarding. Serving as Deputy President of the Conservative Disability Group, he founded the Disability Colloquium, uniting policymakers and charities. He co-authored Empowering Society and actively campaigned against inappropriate Assessment and Treatment Units. Establishing the Places of Worship Security Funding Scheme, he also served on the Government Anti-Muslim Hatred Working Group. During Covid-19, he coordinated PPE distribution and internationally facilitated wheelchair deliveries to Ukraine. He additionally promotes interfaith cohesion as Vice Chair of the Anglo-Portuguese Society.

Cllr Rukhsana Ismail JP, based in Rotherham, exemplifies outstanding good citizenship through a life defined by resilience and unwavering service. Starting her career at 30 as a single mother with no formal qualifications, she transformed personal adversity into a platform for public impact. Her journey from care work and grassroots volunteering, including supporting domestic abuse survivors and serving as a volunteer mosque headteacher, led to her current roles as Mayor of Rotherham, Councillor for Rotherham East, and a Justice of the Peace. As CEO of a domestic abuse charity and trustee for organisations like Age UK Rotherham and Sheffield City of Sanctuary, she has fundamentally improved safeguarding and inclusion. Her leadership as Chair of the South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner Panel and her role as a UN Women delegate highlight her influence on policy. Through direct advocacy, media contributions, and interfaith dialogue, she ensures underrepresented voices are heard. Rukhsana consistently builds bridges and challenges injustice, embodying the highest ideals of integrity and lasting community impact.

Shagufta Parveen Asam MBE, based in Redbridge, has devoted over 33 years to transforming the lives of vulnerable children through exceptional foster care. Since 1991, she has provided safety and dignity to hundreds of children from diverse backgrounds. Her approach offers highly individualised support, creating a nurturing environment where newborns and teenagers alike can rebuild trust. The lifelong relationships many foster children maintain with her reflect the profound depth of her care. Beyond caregiving, Shagufta is a tireless advocate, working with social workers and solicitors to navigate complex legal processes and Home Office applications, ensuring every child’s rights are protected. She actively promotes fostering through community outreach, inspiring others to support children in need. Her extraordinary dedication was recognised with an MBE in the 2025 New Year Honours. Currently caring for three teenage boys, Shagufta continues to embody the essence of compassion and lifelong commitment to the welfare of others.

Maysoon Shafiq, a Huddersfield-based faith leader, chaplain, and academic, has fundamentally transformed culturally responsive UK healthcare. As the first female Muslim Chaplaincy Team Lead in NHS England at The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust, she broke institutional barriers to advance compassionate clinical inclusion. An Alimah, she merges theological scholarship with clinical practice, delivering holistic spiritual support for Muslim patients navigating end-of-life care. Concurrently, she pursues a Sheffield Hallam University PhD addressing the critical under-utilisation of palliative care within Muslim communities. She significantly elevates health outcomes working with organisations such as the Prince’s Trust and through media engagement like MEND and British Muslim TV, whilst mentoring young people into vital NHS Cadetships. Her multi-award-winning work continually shapes more inclusive healthcare systems.

Professor Noor ul Owase Jeelani MBE, a London-based paediatric neurosurgeon, has globally transformed outcomes for children with severe cranial conditions. A Great Ormond Street Hospital consultant since 2000, he executes hundreds of specialised operations annually, including the highly complex separation of craniopagus twins. Heading the neurosurgery unit until 2018, he expanded capacity to 1,100 complex operations yearly. Pioneering precision medicine, he leads UCL’s FaceValue Research Group and developed CranioXpand, an innovative AI-driven device improving international surgical outcomes. Founding Gemini Untwined, he advances global surgical knowledge through landmark twin separations. Awarded a 2025 MBE for services to global child health, he rigorously trains surgeons worldwide, seamlessly merging exceptional clinical innovation with life-saving humanitarian impact.

Dr Yasara Naheed, a GP Partner and Clinical Director in Burnley, tackles entrenched health inequalities through deep local expertise acquired over four decades. She systematically transforms East Burnley’s population health by increasing vaccinations and cervical screenings via robust collaborations with faith groups and community partners. Expanding care beyond clinical borders, she orchestrates large-scale health melas involving 36 organisations and targeted clinics for refugees and homeless individuals. Drawing on her lived experience of reversing her own diabetes, she implemented a highly successful 12-week lifestyle intervention programme yielding measurable glycemic improvements. Leading over 75 nationally presented initiatives, her culturally sensitive approach consistently improves outcomes across mental health, chronic disease, and end-of-life caree.

Adama Juldeh Munu, a multi-award-winning London journalist, rigorously covers global politics, Black heritage, and the African diaspora. By linking local experiences to global justice struggles, she amplifies underrepresented voices and actively challenges dominant media narratives. Her extensive reporting spans TRT World, Al Jazeera, and Middle East Eye, engaging vast international audiences. As principal producer of Across the Balkans on TRT World, she spearheaded coverage on the Gaza war and Srebrenica genocide. Operating from Istanbul, she curated the Siyah series exploring historical African-Ottoman connections, becoming the first Black British Muslim woman to report for a Turkish public broadcaster. Her achievements include the 2023 Journalist of the Year at the UK African and African-Caribbean Muslim Awards.

Indlieb Farazi Saber, a London-based distinguished editor, has shaped global affairs understanding through fair, human-centred journalism over two decades. Operating across Al Jazeera English, BBC World Service, and Middle East Eye, her work is defined by profound analytical depth. She powerfully challenges dominant narratives, notably authoring a national piece defending UK university Islamic societies. Her internationally impactful Gaza reporting contributed to ICC discussions and earned a Save the Children Global Media Awards nomination. Serving as Senior Editor at TRT World, she fiercely champions underrepresented voices to guarantee inclusive coverage. Preserving Muslim histories via long-form cultural writing, she actively mentors emerging journalists and remains universally respected for her strict commitment to responsible journalism.

Saba Ahmadzadeh Noughani, a London-based Oxford University student, powerfully reshapes public discourse through high-impact journalism. Editing prestigious publications like The Oxford Student and Cherwell, she brings underreported global issues to mainstream attention. Focusing intensely on the lived experiences of worldwide Muslim communities, her coverage rigorously spans Central Asia and the Middle East. Through The Oxford Blue, she established her Borders and Belonging column to dissect anti-Muslim legislation and British social class. She contributes granular analysis on West Bank architectural weaponization to the Oxford Middle East Review. Defying industry Islamophobia as a state-educated Muslim woman, the Alfons and Josefine Burkard Prize winner represents an uncompromising, highly principled new voice in global media.

Farzana Baduel, a London-based leading figure in international communications, strengthens cross-cultural understanding and global trust. Marking a historic inclusive milestone, she is the first Muslim and British Asian woman appointed as the 2026 President of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations. As Curzon PR’s CEO, she navigates the intersection of communications and diplomacy, strategically advising governments and global foundations on complex reputation and crisis management. She acts as a trustee for The HALO Trust, supporting civilian protection in 30 countries, and formally serves on the English Law Promotion Panel. Co-hosting the Stories and Strategies PR podcast and featuring on Al Jazeera, she concurrently serves as Resident PR Expert at Oxford Saïd Business School.

Hassan Damluji, a London-based British-Iraqi global policy expert, comprehensively advances ethical globalisation and international cooperation. Founding the Global Nation think-tank, he works with governments and multilateral institutions to address complex challenges like inequality, pandemics, and climate change. Previously serving as Deputy Director for Global Policy at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, he significantly shaped international development strategy. He critically co-founded the Lives & Livelihoods Fund, a $2.5 billion multilateral initiative driving healthcare and poverty reduction across 30 African and Asian nations. Authoring The Responsible Globalist and operating as a Visiting Senior Fellow at the LSE, he also co-founded the Outstanding-rated One Degree Academy, rigorously strengthening inclusive approaches to global development.

Mohamed Shakeer Nawas, a London-based senior education professional and President of the Council of Sri Lankan Muslim Organisations (COSMOS UK), strengthens diaspora relations and international humanitarian coordination. As Business Development Manager at Regal International College and COSMOS President since 2022, he systematically expanded engagement with UK institutions and diplomatic missions. Through COSMOS’s All-Party Parliamentary Group, he decisively facilitates dialogue between parliamentarians and community leaders on diaspora affairs. Demonstrating high-level crisis leadership in 2025, he coordinated a vast response to Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka, mobilising £80,000 in vital aid for national recovery efforts. Serving on the Muslim Council of Britain’s National Council for over six years, he continuously bolsters community cohesion and diplomatic international cooperation.

Combined Martial Systems (CMS) Academy, a London-based non-profit martial arts club founded in 2009 under Head Coach Omar Ali Grant, grew from five to 80 session members by reinvesting all income. Operating as a leading UK competition team, the academy has systematically produced nearly 100 black belts across Taekwondo, Hapkido, and kickboxing. Students successfully compete across Europe and the US, with three advancing to the GB Olympic development programme. Strictly rooted in inclusion, CMS fosters a highly disciplined, values-led environment for diverse youth. Leveraging robust sponsorship schemes, CMS funds disadvantaged youth training and operates a fully funded satellite exchange with a club in Morocco, regularly delivering recognized martial demonstrations to Moroccan police units.

Salma Bi BEM, a Birmingham-based leader, comprehensively transforms sport, healthcare, and community development. A ten-time award winner, she aggressively champions inclusion for Muslim women and underrepresented groups. Founding ‘The Fifty’ cricket competition, she has executed over 15 national events, integrating futsal and T10 cricket. The former county cricketer also launched the All-Asian Women’s Inspirational Cricket Team and Great White Sharks Futsal Team. As Sporting Pathways CIC Director, she structurally connects athletic participation with social mobility. Concurrently serving 17 years as a Haemodialysis Sister, she founded the Al-Fazal Ambulance in Pakistan. She holds a British Empire Medal and functions as a Commonwealth Games Ambassador, formally honoured with a public mural at New Street Station.

Muslim Sports Foundation (MSF), a UK charity, aggressively leverages physical activity to improve wellbeing, prioritizing grassroots inclusion. Executing over 70 structural projects in 30 towns, it reaches 15,000 beneficiaries, specifically targeting women, SEN individuals, and deprived communities. Operating within mosques and community centres in Bradford and Leeds, MSF delivers scalable programming ranging from judo to online wellness. Achieving Tier 2 of the Code for Sports Governance ensures rigorous operational accountability. Strategically collaborating with National Governing Bodies, the charity significantly scales athletic participation among ethnically diverse demographics. Recognized broadly, it secured the 2021 Birmingham Awards Charity of the Year and the 2022 Sport & Recreation Alliance Community Champion accolade.

Anniyah Khan, a sixteen-year-old Luton resident, executed an extraordinary fundraising journey characterized by immense personal resilience. Navigating Autism Spectrum Disor-der and non-verbal communication needs, she routinely overcomes significant sensory challenges. Motivated by Gaza’s humanitarian crisis, she aggressively targeted a £10,000 goal, successfully walking the Love Luton Run Fest 5K in a highly stimulating, sensory-heavy environment. Over several months, she generated substantial capital for children in Gaza. Her highly visible efforts secured major accolades, including the Women of Inspira-tion Fundraiser of the Year and the People’s Choice Award. Ultimately, Anniyah proves that profound empathy transcends verbal communication, demonstrating that authentic lead-ership manifests through quiet, sustained, and selfless action.

Nada Abdi, a London-based youth ambassador, functions as a critical conduit between local residents and municipal decision-makers. Serving on the Ealing Broadway Ward Pan-el alongside councillors and the Safer Neighbourhood Team, she actively analyses crime data and injects youth perspectives to directly shape policing priorities. Representing the Somali Muslim community, she actively destabilizes entrenched stereotypes while em-powering marginalized demographics. Her targeted advocacy strictly prioritizes violence against women and girls, demanding institutional accountability and elevated safeguard-ing metrics. Operating as an internal school catalyst, she mobilizes peers regarding civic engagement via assembly presentations. Through sustained, targeted leadership, Nada engineers tangible systemic shifts and accelerates localized civic participation.

Safiyyah Umar, a Luton-based author and speaker, demonstrated formidable creative de-termination by publishing her debut novel The Heart Crusher at just 18. Concurrently study-ing Linguistics at the University of Leeds, she secured a Postgraduate Award in Teaching Creative Writing from Cambridge. She systematically tours national schools to dismantle the expectation that gifted students must exclusively pursue STEM, urging youth to com-mercialize their creative talents. In 2025, she addressed 600 delegates at the National Edu-cation Union’s Black Educators Conference in Birmingham as an expert panellist on decol-onising the curriculum. Leveraging global book distribution and media visibility on BBC 3 Counties Radio, Safiyyah structurally empowers the next generation to aggressively challenge academic conformity and exploit creative pathways.