FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LONDON, 8 April 2019
The coveted The Muslim News Awards for Excellence event will be held on Monday 8 April in central London in what promises to be an inspiring evening of Muslim talent and their contributions to British society.
This year’s nominees include Hatiq Mohammed, from Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, a multi-award-winning artist who draws inspiration from the concept of beauty in Islamic art and calligraphy.
Elected to office Islington Council’s Holloway Ward in 2012, Rakhia Mohammed Ismail is among the first British Somali female politicians in the UK. She also famously led the protest outside McDonald’s after a young student was asked to remove her hijab.
Ramla Ali is the first female Muslim to win a British boxing title, and the only female boxer to ever represent Somalia in an international competition, including recent tournaments in Istanbul and New Delhi last November.
Imran Awan is a Professor of Criminology at Birmingham City University whose public engagement and expertise research on hate crime and Islamophobia is deeply impactful.
Arqam Al Hadeed was recently elected as the youth member of the UK’s Parliament for Leeds, after a successful campaign that involved interacting with thousands of young people across Leeds.
They join an illustrious list of both sung and unsung heroes, all of whom, through their nomination alone, become role models for British Muslims around the country.
The full shortlist profiles can be found here here.
The Guest of Honour for the evening is the Rt Hon Penny Mordaunt MP, Secretary of State for International Development and Minister for Women and Equalities who said, “These awards are a celebration of talented British Muslims from across our diverse country. They are to be congratulated for their inspirational achievements and efforts in representing their communities and the United Kingdom.”
She is joined by other parliamentarians including Shadow Women and Equalities Minister, Naz Shah MP, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson on Home Affairs, Sir Ed Davey MP.
They are joined by the Mayor of London, Rt Hon Sadiq Khan. Khan said: “The Muslim News Awards for Excellence are a fantastic way to celebrate the significant achievements of British Muslims in London, the UK and across the world. Each nominee has an inspiring story to tell and I am proud to be here to honour their excellent work.”
Messages of support to the event have been sent by all party leaders.
Prime Minister, Rt Hon Theresa May MP, who has attended the event in the past, said: “These awards rightly reminds us of the excellent and inspiring work done by Muslim men and women throughout Britain. “I commend the work of The Muslim News in recognising the success of individuals in every sphere of society.”
Opposition Leader, Rt Hon Jeremy Corbyn MP, said: “The Muslim News Awards for Excellence is a vital celebration of the brightest and best of the British Muslim community. The Muslim News Awards for Excellence is important in encouraging people to step forward so that we can all work together to rebuild our country for the many, not the few.
“My thanks to The Muslim News for hosting and organising this wonderful annual event.”
Liberal Democrats leader Sir Vince Cable MP said: “The Liberal Democrats are pleased to support the Muslim News Awards for Excellence and their recognition of the many and varied contributions made by Muslims across Britain.
“The awards are a much needed ‘good news story’ for our communities and I wish everyone well for the celebration.”
SNP Westminster Leader, Rt Hon Ian Blackford MP, said: “I extend the warmest congratulations to all nominees and winners of this evening’s The Muslim News Awards for Excellence.
“Each year, we see the Excellence Awards recognise the outstanding achievements of individuals in their communities.
“Each of your nominations this evening is an inspiration to younger generations.”
Ahmed J Versi, Editor of The Muslim News, said, “Our ceremony is a unique opportunity to showcase Muslim and non-Muslim successes and to identify role models of the future. You will find remarkable Muslims making huge contributions to society. You will be impressed and inspired by the high calibre of talent of all the shortlisted candidates.”
Nominations for The Muslim News Awards for Excellence come from the newspaper’s 150,000 plus readership, while the shortlist and winners are decided by an independent panel of judges
The Muslim News Awards for Excellence is a high-profile gala ceremony showcasing the best of British Muslim talent and is hosted by The Muslim News, the country’s largest and oldest Muslim newspaper. The newspaper continually works toward giving talented British Muslims the recognition they deserve for making positive contributions in their workplace and communities across the nation.
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NOTES TO EDITOR
For further information and to interview any of the shortlisted people and/or the Editor, Ahmed J Versi, please ring 020 8863 8586/ 07768 241325
