Lifetime Achievement Award given to Professor Dawud Noibi

Prime Minister joins Muslims to recognise the

very best of British Muslims achievement

Dr. Mozammel Haque

Professor Dawud Noibi, the spiritual leader of the Muslim Association of Nigeria (MAN) UK, was given The Editor’s Lifetime Achievement Award at The Muslim News Award for Excellence Annual Ceremony, held at London’s Grosvenor House.

British Prime Minister David Cameron, M.P. joined some 800 people to celebrate the 12^th The Muslim News Awards of Excellence at London’s Grosvenor House on Monday, the 31^st of March 2014. The coveted award ceremony recognises the very best of Muslim contribution to British society.

The Guest of Honour, British Prime Minister, David Cameron, presenting the Enterprise award to Shabir Randeree, Executive Chairman of DCD Group, said, “I’m delighted to have taken part in this year’s Muslim News Awards for Excellence, where we are able to champion and celebrate the huge contribution British Muslims make to our country. I was truly impressed hearing about the extraordinary work of the nominees and winners, and it was great to have been able to meet some of them tonight.”

The special Judges Award went to Ola Lawal, an active volunteer working to improve the lives of young and disabled people, as well as the local community around her.

Amongst the other 15 winners were, in sport, Mo Farah, Olympic gold medallist, who is also involved in various philanthropic initiatives; in the media, Roohi Hasan, a senior producer at ITV News; Children’s award went to 10-year-old, Ahmed Saleh, who has won numerous kickboxing and freestyle karate titles at national, European and global levels.

Cameron said, “I see for myself on a daily basis the massive contribution of British Muslims. From my own colleagues, such as Sayeeda Warsi, Sajid Javid and Tariq Ahmad on the Government benches to the Muslim businesses and enterprises that are bringing growth back to Britain. And of course I frequently see the outstanding achievements of Muslim sportsmen and women, public servants, entertainers and community leaders. The list goes on and on.”

 “Tonight we celebrate an entire community – one that is vibrant, hard working and proud. My message to British Muslims is that this Government is here for you. We are backing hard working families who want to get on and do the right thing; we are reforming the education system, giving parents more say and delivering the schools and skills that our young people need to succeed; we are reforming the welfare system so it rewards those who want to work; we are cutting taxes, so that people get to keep more of their hard earned money, and we are creating jobs, so people can provide for their families and feel secure. This is all part of our long term plan to build a stronger economy and I know that British Muslims will play a vital part in helping to achieve future prosperity and security for our country,” said British prime minister.

Special guests included Attorney General, Dominic Grieve, Shadow Justice Secretary, Sadiq Khan, Minister of State at Ministry of Justice, Simon Hughes.

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.

Now in its 12^th year, the ceremony has distinguished itself for pioneering an initiative that finds the very best in British Muslims. The Editor of The Muslim News, Ahmed J. Versi, said, “We began this event twelve years ago because we wanted to acknowledge the noble accomplishments and displays of distinction within the British Muslim community and showcase the tremendous contributions British Muslims make to Britain. We wanted also to identify and highlight Muslim role models for the younger generation.”

Lifetime Achievement Award to

Professor Dawud Noibi

Professor Dawud Noibi, the spiritual leader of the Muslim Association of Nigeria (MAN) UK, was given The Editor’s Lifetime Achievement Award at The Muslim News Award for Excellence Annual Ceremony, held at London’s Grosvenor House.

Prime Minister, David Cameron, MP

Earlier, the Guest of Honour, Prime Minister, David Cameron, MP, paid warm tribute to British Muslims’ achievements, especially in helping their communities and the society at large. The event is recognised as the best for highlighting the Muslim contribution to the British society, Versi said.

Cameron, the guest of honour, while presenting the main award, “the Enterprise Award” to Shabir Randeree, a leading businessman from the Muslim community, said that he was delighted to take part in this year’s awards, where “we were able to champion and celebrate the huge contribution British Muslims make to this country.”

He said he was truly impressed of hearing about the extraordinary work of nominees and winners and expressed delight to have been able to meet them.

Prime Minister paid tribute to a number of British Ministers who are from Muslim origin, including Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, a senior minister at the Foreign Office.

Equally, he recognised the important contribution of British Muslim businessmen, sportsmen and women, public servants and other community leaders.

David Cameron has also said he will keep Halal meat “safe in Britain” and would never impose restrictions on religious slaughter as long as he is Prime Minister.

He also said he was concern by “intolerance” towards Muslims in some, and pledged to “stamp out once and for all the intolerance that blights people’s lives,” the Huffington Post reported.

He told the audience at the Muslim News event: “Really tackling Islamophobia means making absolutely sure that no Muslim is held back from living their life or reaching their goals, simply because of the faith they follow.

“Soon the food will arrive and you will be able to eat. Let me make it absolutely clear, that while I am Prime Minister of this country, halal is safe in Britain.”

Editor of The Muslim News, Ahmed Versi

Now in its 12^th year, the ceremony has distinguished itself for pioneering an initiative that finds the very best in British Muslims. Earlier, while welcoming the distinguished guests, ministers, religious leaders and community leaders, The Editor of The Muslim News , Ahmed J. Versi, said, “We began this event twelve years ago because we wanted to acknowledge the noble accomplishments and displays of distinction within the British Muslim community and showcase the tremendous contributions British Muslims make to Britain. We wanted also to identify and highlight Muslim role models for the younger generation.”

Addressing the guests, the nominees and winners of the Awards, the host of the event, Mr. Versi said in his welcoming address, “These awards are all about you. You are the reason we are here tonight. Your creativity, dynamism and enthusiasm to make a difference, is what we are here to celebrate tonight. As in previous years, we have been humbled by the quality and the quantity of entries for each award category. Indeed, this year has set a new record for the number of nominations received.”

“Given the disproportionate focus on bad news reporting when it comes to Islam and British Muslims, it is all the more important that we should honour good practice, and celebrate the exemplary work of the illustrious men, women and children present among us tonight. There are countless individuals and organisations striving to make a difference to the way Muslims are perceived and portrayed in our society. This award ceremony is one way to ensure that their contributions are not marginalised or overlooked,” he mentioned.

Once more, The Muslim News Awards for Excellence has brought together over 800 people of all ages, backgrounds and disciplines, from around the country as far as Scotland, to demonstrate to all – and to young Muslims in particular – that vitality, dynamism, diligence, creativity, inspiration, progress and reward are all alive and kicking in the British Muslim community. It is represented here in abundance.

Versi lamented, “Yet, in the face of our many visible successes, there are those who refuse to relent and insist that Muslims are ‘disloyal’ to our country and in ‘need of integration’. A decade ago Muslims were, in the main, observed and viewed through the lens of fundamentalism. A decade on they’ve come to be observed and seen through the prism of violent extremism and terrorism. The preoccupation with the actions of a tiny violent minority and a small though vocal provocative fringe, has come to eclipse the everyday achievements of the British Muslim majority.”

“The media bears a degree of responsibility for this state of affairs and it is worth remarking on the recommendations of the Leveson Inquiry established by the Prime Minister,” he said and added, “It is our hope that the sealing of the Royal Charter will usher in an era of a fairer portrayal of British Muslims in our media; devoid of distortion and bias.”

As for The Conservative Party, Versi mentioned, “William Hague when Leader of the Party, made significant efforts to turn the Party around and began to demonstrate a greater understanding of Britain’s diverse communities. It was under William Hague’s leadership of the Party that we saw Britain’s first Muslim member of the European Parliament, Bashir Khanbhai. Now we have two British Muslims in the European Parliament, both from Conservative Party, Sajjad Karim and Syed Kamall.”

Speaking about the changes brought under the leadership of David Cameron, Versi mentioned, “There are now two Conservative peers of the Muslim faith and one of them, Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, was the first Muslim cabinet Minister. During the last elections, for the first time, two Muslim standing for the Conservative Party were elected in the House of Commons, Sajid Javid and Rehman Chisti. There are also six Muslim MPs from the Labour Party. The visibility of British Muslims in our political and public institutions is transforming, in small but significant ways, the negative stereotyping we have all witnessed in recent years.”

Versi also mentioned about their contribution and their faithful service. “Their contributions, their presence and their faithful service is a matter of deep pride in our community. Let us recognise that too here tonight.”

Versi also mentioned about a few interventions we have seen under the leadership of our Prime Minister. He said, “The Prime Minister welcomed the World Islamic Economic Forum to the UK last October. For first time the Forum has been held outside a Muslim majority country. At the Forum, the Prime Minister announced the issuing of the UK’s first ever Sukuk, to the value of 200 million pounds.”

“The Prime Minister also outlined plans for the development of Shari’ah compliant student loans, to ensure that British Muslim students are able to take full advantage of the UK’s world-class Higher Education Institutions. The Prime Minister further announced funds for seed capital for Muslim entrepreneurs, recognising the potential for growth in Islamic finance and industry. An industry that is set to grow to £1.3 trillion this year,” Versi mentioned.

. .

Speaking about the Help to Buy Mortgage scheme, Versi said, “The Government’s, Help to Buy mortgage scheme, has now been extended to include a Shari’a compliant alternative to mortgages, the Home Purchase Plans. The development of Islamic finance has been covered by The Muslim News since the paper’s inception 25 years ago.”

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.

Ummul Mu'minin Khadijah Award for Excellence in Enterprise was awarded to Shabir Randeree. This Award was presented by Prime Minister David Cameron, M.P. Ibn Battuta Award for Excellence in Media was awarded to Roohi Hasan. This Award was presented by Attorney General Dominic Grieve, QC., M.P. Annemarie Schimmel Award for Championing a Muslim Cause was given to Charlotte Fischer.  This Award was presented by Mahmood Al-Najar, Chairman, The Prestige Group, main sponsor for the evening.

Alhambra Award for Excellence in Arts was awarded to Hatiq Mohammed. This Award was presented to him by Mahmood Al-Najar, Chairman, The Prestige Group. Malcolm X Young Person’s Award for Excellence was given to Ahsan Raza Choudhury. This Award was presented by Dr. Nizar Merali, Trustee, Al-Salaam Centre.

Alija Izetbegovic Award for Good Citizenship was given to Dr. Kaneez Shaid. This Award was presented by Simon Hughes, M.P., Minister of State at the Ministry of Justice. Uthman Dan Fodio Award for Excellence in Community Development was awarded to QED. The Award was presented by Zaid Al-Rawni, Head of Communications, Islamic Relief.

Al Biruni Award for Excellence in Community Relations was awarded to Zulfi Karim. This Award was presented by Judge Khurshid Drabu, Professor of Law at Middlesex University and Judge at Upper Tribunal. Sankore University Award for Excellence in Education was given to Tauheedul Islam Girls’ High School. This Award was presented by Sadiq Khan, MP., Shadow Justice Secretary and Shadow Lord Chancellor. He is also Shadow Minister for London.

Ibn Sina Award for Health was awarded to Dr. Rawan Abdulla Khwalleh. This Award was presented by Gareth Thomas, MP, Shadow Minister for Europe. Fazlur Rahman Khan for Excellence in Engineering, Science or Technology was awarded to Dr Farid Khan.  This Award was presented by Abdirashid Duale, CEO, Dhabshiil.

Faezeh Hashemi Award for Excellence in Sport was given to Mo Farah. Imams Hasan and Husayn Children's Award for Excellence was awarded to Ahmad Saleh. This Award was presented by Dr. Manazir Ahsan, Chairman, Muslim Aid.

Imam wa Amal Special Award was given to Ola Lawal, Afro-Caribbean. This Award was presented to her by Professor Dr Haifa Takruri-Rizk, chair of the Independent Panel of Judges.

The Editor’s Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Professor Dawud Olatokunbo Shittu Noibi. 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.

David Cameron at the Muslim News event