PRESS RELEASE
The Muslim News, the UK’s largest circulating Muslim newspaper, announced the shortlist for its 17th The Muslim News Awards for Excellence event.
The annual event recognises the very best of Muslim contribution to British society – whether it be sport, science, the arts or any number of categories.
2019’s nominees see the likes of Siddiqa Juma, Asma Elbadawi and Dr Myriam Francois up for the coveted awards. While Ms Juma can claim to be one of Britain’s principal contemporary Islamic artists, Asma Elbadawi heroically led the campaign to allow female basketball players to wear the hijab. Journalist Dr Francois, meanwhile, has appeared numerous times in the mainstream press and presented the most watched religion programme on BBC iPlayer – ‘The Muslim Pound’ – three years ago. Youth makes an appearance with talents such as Hasan Patel – the viral teenager was youngest ever delegate to speak at a national political party conference – as well as organisations such as the Muslim Association of Croydon and initiatives like the Refugee Cricket Project.
These individuals and groups are just some of dozens nominees that represent role models for Muslims and non-Muslims around the country.
Ahmed J Versi, Editor of The Muslim News and founder of the awards, said, “These honours are all the more important in today’s landscape. They are an antidote to the negativity that surrounds Muslims.
“The reason The Muslim News Awards for Excellence were created back in the year 2000 was to help us seek out good Muslim news stories which we can all celebrate.”
Each year, an independent panel of judges, shortlists and then selects winners in a range of 15 award categories, from media to sports, community development to education. As such, a diverse panel from all walks of life come together to shortlist and select winners from the list of nominees.
The 2019 awards is no different, with a stellar line up of judges. Journalists Mars El Brogy, Shatha Khalil and Oruj Defoite join Professor Mashood Baderin and Civic Award winner Dr Tariq Abbasi.
For more about the judges, visit: http://muslimnews.co.uk/newspaper/home-news/34732-2/
Attendees can also look forward to an array of well known guests and speakers on the night.
The full list of nominees can be seen here: http://muslimnews.co.uk/newspaper/home-news/muslim-news-awards-excellence-2019-shortlist/
The winners will be announced at a gala dinner in central London on 8 April.
Established as an annual event in 2000, The Muslim News Awards for Excellence has now become a major fixture in the British Muslim calendar. Previous guests of honour have included HRH The Prince of Wales and numerous senior members of the Government including Prime Ministers Tony Blair and David Cameron.
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Notes to Editors: The Muslim News is the UK’s largest circulating and oldest British Muslim newspaper.
Nominations for The Muslim News Awards for Excellence come from the newspaper’s 150,000 plus readership, while shortlist and final judging conducted by an independent panel of judges.
The Awards ceremony is to be held on 8 April in central London.
To request a press pass for the awards event on 8 April, telephone 020 8863 8586 or email awards@muslimnews.co.uk.