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:
Bilal Ahmed works for the charity Himmah and has been recognised for his outstanding contribution to community and voluntary work. He is a dedicated community activist with a deep passion for justice, equality and serving those most in need. Through his work, Bilal has consistently championed initiatives that empower disadvantaged communities, tackle social inequality and promote cohesion.
Faisal Amjad was the recipient of the Individual Achievement Award in recognition of his outstanding dedication to helping individuals discover purpose and direction in life. Through his work, he has developed practical and impactful frameworks that empower people to better understand themselves, identify their strengths, and live with greater clarity, intention and fulfilment.
Haji Younis & Sons are the recipients of the Business & Enterprise Award in recognition of their longstanding commitment to excellence, entrepreneurship and service to the community. Through hard work, integrity and dedication, they have built a respected business that not only contributes to the local economy but also supports charitable and community initiatives.
Helen Johnston and the Nottingham City Council Public Health Team are the recipients of the Health & Wellbeing Award in recognition of their outstanding commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of local communities. Through innovative public health initiatives, partnership working and a preventative approach, they have helped individuals and families access the support, information and services needed to lead healthier lives.
