Muslims become the Highlight at the Asian Achievers Awards 2018
The outstanding achievements of the Asian community in Britain were showcased and celebrated at the 18th edition of Asian Achievers Awards at the Grosvenor House hotel in London on Friday, 14 September 2018.
Influential British Muslims were among the winners at this year’s Asian Achievers Awards, which pays tribute to the best of British Asian talent across the arts, community service, the professions, uniformed services, sports and the world of business.
Anoushé Husain: Winner, Sports Personality of the Year
Anoushé was born missing her right arm below the elbow. Being a cancer survivor, a Muslim and coming from an ethnic minority; Anoushé has never let what society or culture thinks she should do result in limiting herself or dictate the direction of her life. She has become a role model to anyone facing a self-limiting belief or barrier and is sharing her journey to help others unlock their potential. A civil servant by day, Anoushé is a paraclimber in the UK and an ambassador for both Ehlers-Danlos Support UK and Limbpower, the leading charity for amputees and those with limb difference. She is currently ranked 2nd in the UK.
Poppy Jaman: OBE Winner, Achievement in Community Service
British Bengali mental health campaigner Poppy Jaman was awarded an OBE (Order of the British Empire) for her services to people with mental health issues. She was given this award for her work to change public perceptions of mental illness and mental health during a glittering ceremony held in London.
Jaman’s own experience of post-natal depression helped her to develop an understanding of the challenges facing people with mental health issues, particularly among diverse groups. She has over 20 years’ experience of influencing and leading change in public mental health. Since October 2015, she has been the Programme Director for the City Mental Health Alliance; a team of London-based organizations focused on improving and raising awareness of mental health in the workplace.
The British-Bangladeshi has also extended her boundaries beyond England and contributed to mental health globally. This includes her support of the development of Mental Health First Aid in Bangladesh, whereby she is the CEO and co-founder. Moreover, she is also training orphanage workers in mental health literacy in Goa, India.
Hasmukh Shah: Winner, Lifetime Achievement Award
Dr. Shah has worked in the NHS for 43 years and made notable contributions towards public health in Wales. He is the honorary secretary of the Welsh Division of British Association of Physicians of Indian origin. He has been one of the most active BAPIO members and has contributed significantly to BAPIO work in Wales. His passion for charitable work and community service was recognized in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List earlier this year, where he said:
“I am truly humbled by this recognition and would like to dedicate this to my family, all my friends, colleagues and co-workers who help me in achieving so much for charitable causes.”
His charity, however, does not stop at the UK but also extends to overseas deserving causes. He has raised funds for school projects in India and orphan project in Africa.
The Asian Achievers Awards has helped to raise £1.5 million for various charities since launching. This year it is raising vital funds for Oracle Cancer – a leading charity funding research into head and neck cancer. At the ceremony, £100,000 was raised through donations and an auction hosted by Jeffrey Archer.
All in all, it is a great achievement for all the Muslims that such successions are witnessed. Indeed, a good start to the Islamic New Year. May Allah (SWT) keep bestowing his blessings and achievements to the Muslim community, making it to the highlights.
