By IRNA
London : British ministers and political leaders extolled Muslim achievements in the UK at the annual ceremony for the latest The Muslim News Awards for Excellence in London.
Among the winners were Sadiq Khan MP, a junior member of the British government, Amir Khan, the IBF inter-continental and Commonwealth Lightweight Boxing Champion and BBC correspondent Alan Johnston, who was detained in Gaza for nearly four months last year.
“These awards celebrate the achievements of British Muslims in all walks of life. They identify Muslim achievers and highlight the wonderful contribution that British Muslims make,” Prime Minister Gordon Brown said.
“Equally importantly, they challenge the stereotypes and negative portrayal of Muslims in many parts of the media. They provide us with role models we can all be proud of,” the Prime Minister said in a video message to the annual ceremony in London on Tuesday night.
The for awards are classified in 15 different categories of Muslim achievements, and other winners included actor Rizwan Ahmed, 12-year old Quran reciter Muhammad Ayyub Asif, Islamic mobile down loader MyAdhan and prison advisor Maqsood Ahmed.
Recognised for various achievements in the medical world were neuropathologist Afia B Ali, pediatrician Professor Robert Booy, obstetrician Fatima Asma Husain and forensic psychologist Zainab al- Attar.
Winners also included scholar of Islamic jurisprudence, Mohammed Akram Nadwi, chair of Muslim Council for Religious and Racial Harmony Imam Abduljalil Sajid, university governor Jafar Miza and community lecturer on drugs and crime lecturer Yaser Mir.
“Britain simply wouldn’t be the same without the achievements of Muslim entrepreneurs, doctors, teachers, writers, artists and sportsmen and women,” said Brown, who was guest of honour at the Muslim News Awards in 2005.
In a keynote speech at the ceremony, Foreign Secretary David Miliband said the event was a “showcase” of the key role that British Muslims play in UK life in a wide range of professions and fields.
“By celebrating the many contributions of those that represent the best of Britain we can inspire others and also show that we are a nation in which British Muslims are an integral part of our society in politics, business and social life,” Miliband said.
Muslim News editor Ahmed Versi welcomed all the over 800 guests attending the 8th annual awards. Support was also expressed by Conservative leader, David Cameron and the leader of the Liberal Democrats Nick Clegg.