From the worlds of politics, business, sport and the arts, Britain's unsung Muslim heroes and heroines were honored and celebrated at a ceremony that recognizes the very best of Muslim contribution to the British society. "This Awards ceremony is about recognizing those individuals who aspire to attain their very best as members of our society," Ahmed J Versi, editor of The Muslim News said at the ceremony of the annual Muslim News Awards for Excellence on Monday, March 31. Winners of the annual awards, presented by the monthly Muslim newspaper, were announced in a massive celebration and gala dinner in central London.

The shortlist and later the winners of are chosen by a panel of independent judges drawn from Britain's Muslim community to reflect a cross-section of opinion and experience. After pruning back scores of nominations, the panel reaches the winners list for the awards presented in 15 different categories.  The annual ceremony is celebrating its ninth year. Shadow justice secretary Dominic Grieve, Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith and Communities Secretary Hazel Blears were among more than 800 people invited to the event. "The Muslim News Awards are an important opportunity for us all to recognize and show our appreciation for the valuable contribution that British Muslims make to our shared society," Smith said in the ceremony.

Clegg said that the awards provide an opportunity to acknowledge the many successful achievements of British Muslims. "They also encourage us to reflect upon the valuable social, cultural, and economic contribution made by the Muslim community in the UK." Britain is home to nearly 2 million Muslims. A recent ICM/Guardian poll showed that 91 percent of British Muslims are "loyal" to Britain and 80 percent wanted to live in and accept Western society.

Pioneers   

Sponsors of the award said that the awards reveals every year a diverse group of pioneer Muslims in various fields. "We began this event nine years ago because we believed that British Muslims have a lot to offer to British society," said Versi.

"Nine years on, and the quality of nominations… show that British Muslims still have what it takes to be pioneering contributors to the common good."

This year, 17 heroes and heroines from across all walks of life were awarded. Mohammed Ali, a Birmingham-based graffiti artist whose so-called aerosol Arabic is influenced by both classical Islamic calligraphy and urban street graffiti, won the Alhambra Award for Excellence in Arts and the special Judges award.

Iraq-born Ahmed Mukhtar, a world acclaimed composer and player of Oud, the stringed instrument popular in the Middle East, also won the Arts Award.

The Ibn Sina Award for Health went to Mohammed Mujahid Ali, an alternative therapist, for work improving the wellbeing and mental health of black and minority ethnic people. Imran Sidat, a 15-year-old Leicester resident who competes for England in freestyle karate and kickboxing, won the Children's Award for Excellence. Emdad Rahman, IOL correspondent and an award-winning journalist working with a range of faith organizations on inter-faith work, won the Award for Good Citizenship. Previous winners have included boxing champion Amir Khan and MP Sadiq Khan.

Versi, also founder of the Muslim monthly paper, affirmed that such diverse group of Muslim pioneers and success stories makes a point. "Islam engenders in the life of a Muslim the desire to do well, to succeed and to persevere patiently and with faith."