The Muslim News Awards for Excellence 2016 ceremony recognises the very best of British Muslim Achievement
Dr. Mozammel Haque
Over 500 people celebrated the 14th of The Muslim News
Awards for Excellence event – Britain’s longest standing Muslim awards event –
on Wednesday, 20th of April 2016 at Marriot Hotel London. The
coveted award ceremony recognised the very best of Muslim and non-Muslim
contributions to British society.
Ayaz Bhuta, one of the world’s best wheelchair rugby players
and paralympic athlete and European Bronze Medal winner, won the Sport award. Good
Citizenship award went to Professor Javed Khan, Chief Executive of Barnardo’s,
the UK’s oldest and largest children’s charity.
Guest of Honour
Communities Secretary, Greg Clark, MP
Guest of Honour at the event, Secretary of State for
Communities and Local Government, the Rt Hon Greg Clark, MP, said: “Tonight’s awards typify
not only Muslim communities at their best, but Britain at its best.”
He mentioned, “British Muslims have made significant
contributions to our country, and all the winners and nominees have offered a
helping hand for others, through their charitable and community-based work.”
“The Muslim News awards demonstrate how successful British Muslims are working hard to make Britain even greater, and I offer all the winners and nominees my best wishes,” said Communities Secretary, Greg Clark, MP.
Special guests included Kate Green MP, Shadow Minister for Women and
Equalities, Angus Robertson MP,
SNP Westminster Leader, Baroness
Manzoor, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Work and Pensions
and Sadiq Khan MP,
Labour candidate for Mayor of London. Also present was Dianne Abbott MP, Shadow Secretary
of State for International Development.
They were joined by civic and religious leaders, as well as
representatives from the worlds of politics, business, sport and the arts, to
honour unsung heroes and heroines of the community.
Messages of support to the event
from all party leaders
Prime Minister, David Cameron, MP, who has
attended the event in the past, said: “In this, their 14th year, The Muslim
News Awards for Excellence once again highlight an outstanding group of people.
Those recognised today represent the United Kingdom at its very best and I
would like to offer my personal congratulations to all of the winners and
nominees.”
Opposition Leader, Jeremy Corbyn, MP, said: “This awards ceremony is an important
opportunity to recognise the huge contribution that Muslims across Britain make
to our country every day, showcasing the talent and excellence of individuals
in their fields of expertise. From business and technology, to the arts, and
sport, it is fantastic to celebrate the achievements and hard work of Muslims
from all walks of life.”
SNP Westminster Leader, Angus Robertson, MP, said: “For 14 years the Muslim News Awards for
Excellence has paid tribute to the brightest and best, and year after year it
has showcased role models who lead by example for younger generations.”
“The Muslim News plays an important role in the Muslim
community, both giving voice to the community as a whole and giving expression
to the diverse range of views within it,” he mentioned.
Angus Robertson, MP, also said: “I am pleased to see the Awards going from
strength to strength. They are an effective way to recognise not only
excellence in business, sports, arts, and technology, but also to publicly
praise those who have served both the Muslim and the wider communities.”
Ahmed J Versi, Editor of The Muslim News said in his welcoming
speech: “I would like to thank all our readers who took the time to nominate
men, women and children whose endeavours and activities mark them out for
recognition of excellence.
Mr. Versi mentioned, “As in previous years, we have been
humbled by the quality and quantity of entries for each award category.”
“At these awards too we identify not only those British
Muslims who have excelled in their fields and contributed to the society, but
also those who are not Muslims who have stood up to defend Muslims,” Mr. Versi
said.
The Muslim News Awards for Excellence took place on
Wednesday 20 April at the Marriott Hotel London.
Welcome speech by Ahmed J
Versi,
Editor and Publisher of The
Muslim News
at the 14th ‘The Muslim News
Awards for Excellence’
Ahmed Versi, the Editor and Publisher of The Muslim News
welcomed all those who have been nominated for the awards this evening. He also
expressed thank to all the readers who took the time to nominate men, women and
children whose endeavours and activities mark them out for recognition of
excellence.
In this connection, Versi particularly pointed out, “Since
our last The Muslim News Awards, two issues have heavily
impacted on the Muslim community – “new counter terrorism measures and huge
increase in Islamophobia and Islamophobic attacks.”
He said, “These are indicative of a growing climate of fear
against Muslims. Yet, despite all the challenges, Muslims have continued to put
their best foot forward, as exemplified by the deluge of nominations we have
received, celebrating the contributions Muslims have made to the British
society. It makes me proud to be a British Muslim.”
Aims of the Award
Speaking about the aims of the Award, Versi mentioned, “We
had two aims when these Awards were first conceived. The first was to find
much-needed role models, especially for young people. The second aim was more
ambitious: to provide a counter-narrative for the day-to-day drip-feed of
negative and often sensationalist news and comment that passes for journalism.”
Role of Media
Speaking about the role of the Media, he said, “The role of
the media in this regard should not be overestimated. I have no hesitation in
stating that the climate of fear is generated by the press desperate to seek
out, and at times manufacture, examples of Muslim misdemeanour. This was most
recently exemplified by the appalling way Muslims have been framed as the
fearful “other” in the documentary on Channel 4 following the ICM poll on “What
British Muslims Really Think”. Whatever Trevor Phillips says, I say that today
is the real demonstration of what British Muslims are really all about. The
conclusions from this documentary demonstrate to us how it is possible to use
media to spread pernicious hatred against Muslims.”
Versi also mentioned, “The sensationalism from both print
and broadcast media comes during a climate of international terrorism that
Muslims here in the UK have little control over and very little sympathy for,
despite media headlines that insist otherwise. The outcome is not only a
climate of fear, but also actual violence against Muslims.”
In this connection, Versi mentioned about a special
conference organised by The Muslim News last year. He said, “Last year, to mark
the 25th anniversary of the newspaper, The Muslim News organised a special conference that
brought together leading figures in the media world with Muslim community
activists. The landmark conference produced a series of public interest
recommendations for the media, the most imperative of which is an urgent need to
separate personal journalistic prejudices from the reporting on Islam and
Muslims.”
Political leaders empathised
with Muslims
Versi mentioned that only two political leaders empathised
with Muslims at the height of recent Islamophobic attacks. “One was the much
maligned Opposition Leader, Jeremy Corbyn, who joined Muslims at Finsbury Park
mosque vigil after it was attacked. The other was Leader of the Scottish
National Party and First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon,” said Versi.
He also mentioned, “Sturgeon observed one minute silence at
Glasgow Central Mosque to remember the victims of the terrorist attacks in
Paris realising fully well the difficult time Muslims were going through. Importantly,
the Government made much needed policy decision on reporting of Islamophobia
attacks. Home Secretary, Theresa May, announced that police forces should
record anti-Muslim as well as anti-Semitic crimes.”
Versi also said, “Discussions and proposals to promote
integration and cohesion are always welcome. But the starting point should not
be, that Muslims are the problem, “not quite British enough”, and must be
civilised into a notion of Britishness, nor should it be that Muslims are only
seen through the prism of extremism and terrorism.
“Instead we need to hold onto our universal values and not
let those who wish to divide us, who wish to break us or who wish to impose
their muscular liberalism onto us all, to win,” he said.
Multicultural nation with
diversity and talent
Speaking about huge diversity and talent, Versi also
mentioned, “We are a multicultural nation with huge diversity and talent as we
see here tonight. At these awards too we identify not only those British
Muslims who have excelled in their fields and contributed to the society, but
also those who are not Muslims who have stood up to defend Muslims. Despite the
inaction of our leaders and the continuous hostility from sections of our
media, these examples tell us that at the grassroots, we can find countless
examples where Muslims and non-Muslims come together in solidarity.”
Speaking about the last year annual Big Iftar event, Versi
mentioned, “Last year, Communities Secretary, Greg Clark, launched the annual
Big Iftar event at the Ismaili Centre in London. This is one of the many
initiatives that the Communities Secretary is involved in as his responsibility
of community engagement.”
Versi also congratulated all those who are shortlisted for
the awards. He wished them all a very enjoyable and inspiring evening. He said,
“My heartfelt thanks and appreciation to all the sponsors, including Human
Appeal, one of the fastest growing Muslim charity in the UK, which this year,
is celebrating its 25th anniversary. My special thanks to Muhammad Amersi, who
made this evening possible. I would like to extend my congratulations to the
Queen on her 90th birthday.”
Winners and Presenters of Award for
Excellence
This
Awards ceremony is about recognising those individuals who aspire to attain
their very best as members of the British Muslim society. It is those British
Muslims and non-Muslims that have proven themselves worthy of recognition for
their contribution to Britain that we are here to honour this evening.
Alhambra
Award for Excellence in Arts was awarded to Swadeka
Ahsun, International Artist. This Award was presented to her by Kate Green, MP, Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities.
Annemarie Schimmel Award for Championing a Muslim Cause
was given to Jonathan Freeman, Managing Director, Mosaic. This Award was
presented by Mohamed Amersi, Founder of Inclusive Ventures Group.
Malcolm X Young Person’s Award for Excellence was given to Saif-Abbas Chato, Higher Education Dept
Facilitator – Shia Ithna’Asheri Madressa. This Award was presented by Riaz
Esmail, Trustee of The Salaam Centre.
Alija
Izetbegovic Award for Good Citizenship was given to Harris Bokhari, Founder, Naz Legacy Foundation. This Award was
presented by Lt General Gordon Messenger and Sponsored by Armed Forces Muslim Association.
Uthman
Dan Fodio Award for Excellence in Community Development was awarded to MADE [Muslim Action for Development & Environment].
The Award was presented by Sayed Lakhte Hassanain,
Chairman of Muslim Hands; sponsored by
Muslim Hands.
Al
Biruni Award for Excellence in Community Relations was awarded to British Muslim Heritage Centre. This Award was
presented by Dianne Abbott, MP, Shadow Secretary of
State for International Development.
Sankore University Award for Excellence in Education was given to Dr David Browning, Founder Registrar, Oxford
Centre for Islamic Studies. This Award was presented by Rt Hon Sadiq Khan MP,
Labour Party candidate for the Mayor of London
Fazlur Rahman Khan for Excellence in Engineering, Science and
Technology was awarded to Tipu Zahed Aziz,
Professor of Neurology, University of Oxford. This Award was presented by Rt Hon Angus
Robertson MP, Scottish National Party Leader in Westminster
Ummul Mu'minin Khadijah Award for Excellence in Enterprise was awarded to Farouq Sheikh, Chair, CareTech Holdings PLC
and Tariq Usmani, CEO, Henley Homes plc. This Award was presented by Rt Hon
Greg Clark, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government
Ibn Sina Award for Health was awarded to Dr Zafar Iqbal, Head of Sports Medicine , Crystal Palace
FC. This Award was presented by Othman Moqbel, Chief Executive of Human Appeal;
sponsored by Human Appeal.
Ibn Battuta Award for Excellence in Media was awarded to Assed Baig, Journalist, Channel 4 News. This
Award was presented by Imran Madden, UK Director of Islamic Relief; sponsored by Islamic Relief.
Faezeh Hashemi Award for Excellence in Sport was given to Ayaz Bhuta, Athlete, Great Britain Wheelchair
Rugby. This Award was presented by Baroness Manzoor, CBE of Knightsbridge.
Imams
Hasan and Husayn Children's Award for Excellence was awarded to Bushra Ulfath, student Mulberry Girls School. This
Award was presented by Dr Suhaib Hasan, Trustee,
Muslim Aid; sponsored by Muslim Aid.
Imam
wa Amal Special Award was given to Professor
Javed Khan, Chief Executive, Barnardo’s. This Award was presented by Wakkas Khan, Chair of The Muslim News Awards for Excellence
Independent Panel of Judges.
The Editor’s Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Adeela Shabazz, Director, African Muslim
Welfare Trust. This award was presented to him by Ahmed J. Versi, Editor The
Muslim News.
The Muslim News continues to be the largest circulating, not only Muslim
newspaper but ethnic paper too, reaching over 150,000 people in the UK and the
website receives up to 1.5 million hits a month.
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