The Nottingham Cultural Festival was once again a vibrant celebration of diversity, unity, and shared heritage. This year’s event was made even more special with the return of the Karimia Excellence in Community Service Awards for its second consecutive year, an initiative designed to recognise and celebrate the outstanding efforts of individuals who go above and beyond to serve our communities.
Honouring Community Champions
Karimia Institute has always been at the heart of positive change, fostering moral, spiritual, and personal development through education, worship, and community projects. The introduction of these awards is a natural extension of our mission to shine a spotlight on those unsung heroes who dedicate their time, energy, and resources to making a meaningful difference.
Community champions often work quietly behind the scenes, whether by supporting the vulnerable, promoting education, driving interfaith understanding, or building bridges between diverse communities. These awards are our way of saying “thank you” and acknowledging their tireless commitment to creating a harmonious and caring society.
Purpose of the Awards
The Karimia Excellence in Community Service Awards aim to:
- Recognise and appreciate individuals for their exceptional contributions.
- Encourage a spirit of volunteerism and inspire others to take up community service.
- Promote values of compassion, unity, and service, which lie at the heart of both our faith and our shared humanity.
- Highlight the positive impact that grassroots initiatives have on the wider society.
A Celebration of Unity
The Nottingham Cultural Festival provided the perfect platform to present these awards. The festival, known for showcasing the rich cultural diversity of Nottingham, brought together people from all walks of life, celebrating not only music, art, and traditions but also the values of empathy, resilience, and community spirit.
Award recipients included individuals who have led impactful initiatives, community leaders who have inspired change, and volunteers who have selflessly supported others in challenging times. Their stories are a testament to the power of collective action and the difference one person can make.
The recipients of this year’s awards were:
Dr Jamil Ahmed and his brothers established Fazilat Masjid in West Bridgford as a tribute to their late mother. In addition to their efforts in founding the mosque, the brothers are known for their generous contributions to local causes and community projects.
Amina Quraishi, a successful business owner (QCare Assist), is also a dedicated political activist and serves as the Deputy Chair of the Conservative Women’s Organisation for the East Midlands.
Ajaz Hussain, owner of iCare, is committed to providing compassionate care for the elderly and those who are unwell. He is also an active supporter of local free food distribution initiatives that assist those in need.
Neghat Khan, the first woman of colour to serve as Leader of Nottingham City Council.
Farooq Mir, owner of Anglo Skills College, actively supports local charitable initiatives, including contributions to Radio Dawn.
Yasrab Shah, Director of Fundraising for Muslim Hands, is dedicated to supporting international humanitarian crises, tirelessly providing aid wherever it is needed.
Anwar Khan, a Nottingham City Councillor, actively supports food provision initiatives for the local Bengali community.
Haji Amin Din works closely with local funeral services, supports food distribution initiatives for local food banks, organises iftars at the Queen’s Medical Centre during Ramadan, and serves as an advisor to the Nottingham Council of Mosques.
Jawaid Khaliq MBE, a former world boxing champion, established a local boxing club to help young people learn self-defence, enhance their fitness, and build the confidence needed to achieve success in life.
Nahida Ahmed, the first woman of colour to serve as Director of People and Inclusion at the Trussell Trust.
Looking Ahead
Karimia Institute is proud to lead this recognition initiative and plans to make the Excellence in Community Service Awards an annual tradition. By honouring these champions, we hope to inspire a new generation of leaders who will carry forward the torch of service, compassion, and unity. As Dr Musharraf Hussain OBE, founder of Karimia Institute, has often said: “The true measure of a community lies in how it cares for its people. When we serve others, we build trust, strengthen bonds, and create a society rooted in love and respect.”
