The 8th British Muslim Awards took place in the city of Manchester.
With 33 awards presented, Irfan Younis, the CEO of Oceanic Group, the organization behind the awards, said: “Every year I think we’ve seen the best the British Muslim community has to offer but every year I’m blown away by just how special the talent is and just how hard people work to service their communities.”
“I have no doubt that the Muslim community will continue to thrive and act as leaders for future generations to come.”
With 13 years of experience, Oceanic Consulting hosts annual award ceremonies in major English, Scottish and Irish cities.
The award ceremony took place on Friday at the Mercure Piccadilly Hotel in Manchester, showcasing the strength of the British Muslim community, their impact on culture and achievements over the last year.
Winners
Categories include Muslims in the Community, Young Achiever of the Year and Spirit of Britain.
The finalists are divided into 33 categories, with around 10 finalists in each one.
The Rising Star of the Year award went to Najwa Jawahar of WSP.
Multicultural supporters’ group Bangla Bantams was one of the big winners of the night, picking up the title of Social Inclusion Group of the Year, The Telegraph and Argus reported.
Humayun Islam, the chairman of Bangla Bantams, said of the British Muslim Awards win: “We are delighted to have won the Social Inclusion group of the Year Award 2020 at the British Muslim Awards 2020.”
“The award means a lot to us and we want to thank everyone involved with the Bangla Bantams group.
“We have done lots of work around community cohesion and increasing fans from diverse communities.
“We hope to inspire more groups to increase fans from diverse communities as football is a great way to bring communities together.”
More Winners
The Digital Activity of the Year prize went to Leicester blogger and cook known as Anisa, Leicester Mercury reported.
“OMG! We did it! We won! Really honored and humbled to be with some of Britain’s most inspirational and awesome Muslims!” she posted on Facebook and Instagram.
Bradford firm Nafees Bakers and Sweets took home the Food Business of the Year award.
Nafees Bakers has been in operation since 1979 and is the largest Asian confectionery producer in Europe.
On Facebook the firm posted: “Alhamdulila and thank you to all our beloved customers and fans, we have received Business of the year 2020 today at British Muslim Award 2020.”
33 Stars
With 33 awards presented on the night, the winners are as follows:
Muslim in the Community: Aysha and Kiran Iqbal – Odara (Birmingham)
Media Arts & Cultural Awareness: Mobeen Azhar – BBC (Westminster, London)
Young Achiever of the Year: Jewels of Jannah (Manchester)
Charity of the Year: Karimia Institute (Nottingham)
Religious Advocate of the Year: Habib Khan – Dunfermline Central Mosque & Islamic Centre (Dunfermline)
Noor Inayat Khan Muslim Woman of the Year Award: Sahar Al-Faifi – Muslim Engagement and Development (London)
Food Business of the Year: Nafees Bakers and Sweets (Bradford)
Achievements in Law: Sahar Farooqi – DWF Advocacy (London – Langbourn)
The Mohammed Sarwar Civil Service Award: Munira Mirza – Number 10 Policy Unit (Westminster, London)
Achievements in Accounting & Finance: Adnan Sajid – UHY (Manchester)
Business Leader of the Year: Rahmeez Younas – National Care Consortium (Nottingham)
Entrepreneur of the Year: Samreen Hussain – The ModestMe Collection
Spirit of Britain: Yashmin Harun – Muslimah Sports Association (Redbridge, London)
Services to Education: Sammar Javed – University of Huddersfield’s Business School (Hudersfield)
Community Initiative of the Year: Tasneem Disabled Muslim Matrimony (Preston)
Business of the Year: Pakeeza Dairies (Rochdale)
Small Business of the Year: Jog On (Essex)
International Charity of the Year: Muslim Charity (Retford)
One to Watch: Hafsah Dabiri – Basira the Basketballer (London)
Social Inclusion Group of the Year: Bangla Bantams (Bradford)
Leading Lights of the Year: Nagina Munawar – Almas Martial Arts Centre (Birmingham)
Rising Star in Sport: Roman Shafiq – British Lawn Tennis Association (Burnley)
Dr Abbas Khan Services to Medicine Award: Mohammedabbas Khaki – General Medical Council (Camden, London)
Professional in Business: Qamar-ur Rehman – DV Solicitors (Bedford)
Hajj Operator of the Year: Mohammed Arif – Hajj Tours (Manchester)
Digital Activity of the Year: Anisa Grams – Anisagrams (Leicster)
Outstanding Achievement of the Year: Mohammed Haroon – Greater Manchester Football Club (Manchester)
Religious Education Provider: Joweria Khan – Al Iman Institute (Slough)
Rising Star of the Year: Najwa Jawahar – WSP (Bradford)
Community Group of the Year: Purple Patch (Blackburn)
Rising Star in Law: Vic Younis – Wall James Chappell Solicitor (Stourbridge)
Corporate Leader of the Year: Usman Basharat – Lloyds Banking Group (Notttingham)
Community Pioneers of the Year: INSAAN (Reading)
International Muslim of the Year: Dr. Bashayer AlMajed – Kuwait University (Kuwait)
Mosque of the Year: Green Lane Masjid and Community Centre (Birmingham)
Diversity Award of the Year: Mohammed Arif – England & Wales Cricket Board (Camden, London)
Organisers Award of the Year: Khalid Saifullah – STAR Tissue (Blackburb)