“The more you thank the more we’ll give you” (Al-Nahl: 6)
The CEO and the Trustees of Karimia Institute are pleased to present Leadership Achievement Awards to three outstanding individuals for their amazing services. This annual award is presented to Nottingham leaders who excel in community services and volunteering. It highlights the achievement of individuals who have been serving the mosques, and the community and have been involved in enhancing engagement in civic life.
The award is to recognise the extraordinary services, talent and dedication the individual has shown over decades. It is to honour them and to inspire others to pursue excellence in their community work, whether they are in the office, classroom, mosque, or soup kitchen.
Effective leadership is crucial for community development, it’s a quality that inspires, motivates and drives progress in society in schools, civic organisations, and the corporate world. By recognising and honouring leaders, we are not just saying a big thank you to them but fostering a positive organisational culture. The Karimia Leadership Achievement Award is to celebrate the achievements of community leaders and their organisations.
The first of this year’s awards goes to Haji Muhammad Abdul-Razak of Pak Foods.
Haji Abdul-Razak receiving his award presented by Ms Nadia Whittome MP
Muhammad Abdul-Razaq started his career in a factory, he juggled multiple jobs in a restaurant and a video shop, showcasing an unwavering commitment to hard work. In 1989, alongside his family, he co-founded Pricewise, a humble corner shop that laid the foundation for future success. The family’s entrepreneurial spirit flourished, leading to the establishment of Pak Foods, a supermarket in Derby, in 1996. This would grow to an enterprise of multiple supermarkets.
Haji Abdul-Razak’s contributions extend beyond business. He has been deeply involved in community service, engaging in multi-faith projects. Through raising funds for numerous local and international charities, such as the 2005 Kashmir Earthquake, he has displayed a steadfast service to others. He is a founding trustee in the PAK Foundation, a family charity focused on education and health projects in the UK and Pakistan. His dedication to community welfare saw him volunteering in Nottingham hospitals under the chaplaincy department and playing a pivotal role in founding the Nottingham Council of Mosques.
In retirement, he continues his service through the National Burial Council, assisting with Muslim burials and supporting grieving families within Nottinghamshire and beyond. A cherished family man, he is known for his kind-hearted nature, especially with the younger generation. He finds joy in watching cricket and nurturing his garden.
The second award goes to Shahid Bashir Deputy CEO of Muslim Hands.
Shahid Bashir receiving his award presented by Mazhar Butt Sahib
Shahid Bashir has devoted 30 years to the relief and development sector. After earning his degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Leeds, he briefly worked at Nottinghamshire City Council before joining the newly formed Muslim Hands in 1994. Since then, Shahid has travelled extensively, establishing Muslim Hands offices in London, South Africa, Indonesia, Iraq, and France. Until 2012, he also led a small yet highly effective fundraising and digital communications team that grew the charity’s annual income to £10 million with just five team members.
As the current vice CEO, Shahid focuses on long-term strategy, policy, and governance for the Muslim Hands international network.
Outside his professional life, Shahid served as the creative director and sub-editor of the Invitation Family Magazine for a decade. He enjoys reading about physics, religion, and social sciences and occasionally writes about himself in the third person.
The final award goes to Councillor Sajid Mohammed CEO of Himmah.
Councillor Sajid Mohammed receiving his award presented by Javed Iqbal
Cllr Sajid Mohammed is a Nottingham City Councillor and represents Mapperley, but is more famous for his incredible charity work, as CEO of Himmah. Himmah is a Social Justice Organisation with the largest independent Foodbank operation in Nottingham, with a mission to tackle food poverty, racism, and educational inequalities.
In addition to food bank operations, they offer hot meals every week, distribute school uniforms to low-income families, and campaign to eradicate disproportionality in stop and searches, among other crucial initiatives. They also work to tackle injustice on our doorstep. Himmah was proudly accepted for being awarded the King’s Award for voluntary services, it is in recognition of their work tackling food poverty, racism, and educational inequalities.
Our heartfelt congratulations to the three proud recipients.
