2. There are many Imams and Scholars within our British society who quietly and
steadfastly contribute to making it better and prosperous for all. Without these
pillars of our community and the work that they do daily, we would not be able
to accomplish our collective goals and achieve our vision for a more inclusive,
vibrant and diverse British society.
As is the nature of these valuable individuals, they do not seek praise or
commendation for their tireless work. It is important however that we recognise
and celebrate these individuals, male and female, for their positive output so we
can as a community express our gratitude, encourage excellence and motivate
future generations to reach higher in their ambitions.
To celebrate the positive contributions of Imams & Scholars make in the UK.
To showcase positive personalities, male and female, within the British society
and their support to creating a better, inclusive and tolerant society for all.
To work with organisations and community projects to support Imams &
Scholars
To inspire the future Imams and Scholars
To organise an annual celebrations event/dinner.
To establish a website where the contributions of the Imams & Scholars are
showcased.
To establish a diverse, competent and credible judging panel.
About
AIMS
OBJECTIVES
1
3. The British Imams and Scholars Contributions & Achievements (BISCA) is a non-
sectarian, non-political and non-profit community venture to highlight positive
work of British Imams and Scholars. It seeks to promote good work, encourage
excellence, and create a positive environment for the UK society by showcasing
inspirational work of Imams and Scholars.
THE MANAGEMENT TEAM:
ABDULLAH HASAN – FOUNDER & CO-DIRECTOR
Imam Abdullah Hasan graduated with an Imam Diploma, BA and Ijaza Aliyah in
Islamic Studies from a European Islamic seminary. He holds a diploma in Arabic
from Zarqa Private University (Jordan) and studied with some of the leading
Scholars of Jordan and the Middle East. Abdullah Hasan has been involved with
grass roots community organisations and initiatives in the UK since 1998.
Abdullah Hasan has been Imam at Mosques in London, Manchester, and
Peterborough, UK. Imam at Imams Against Domestic Abuse (IADA), Advisor at
Muslim Family Matters (MFM). Member of the National Council of Imams &
Rabbis, UK.
FAHIMUL ANAM – FOUNDER & CO-DIRECTOR
Sh Fahimul Anam is a Fellow of The Higher Education Academy (FHEA). He has
graduated with an MA (in Teaching and Learning) and a BA (Hons) in Business
Studies and Marketing from the University of London. He also completed a
Diploma in Arabic language and a BA in Usul-Ad-Din and Usul-al Fiqh (in the
Arabic medium) from the European Institute of Islamic Sciences in France.
Fahimul Anam a founder of ‘Gift of Knowledge’, Beacon Institute and other
community projects and initiatives. He is a shari’ah consultant for international
relief charity, Islamic Relief.
Meet the BISCA Team
2
4. SAHAR AL-FAIFI – CARDIFF
Sahar Al-Faifi is an executive member of Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), assistant
general secretary of the Muslim Council of Wales (MCW); elected as a youth
leader for Citizen UK Wales; an organisation that seeks to unlock the power of
civil society, widen the Muslim participation and engagement and build a
broad-base alliance for different campaigns. She is a Molecular geneticist by
profession. Graduate from Cardiff University in Genetics; MSc in Biomedical
science. Former Chair of FOSIS Wales and West England.
UMAR TAHIR – GREATER MANCHESTER
Dr Umar Tahir graduated from the University of Liverpool with Honours in 2006. He
currently works as a GP in Manchester City Centre. Dr. Tahir has a special interest
in mental health and medical education. Dr. Tahir is also secretary of the North
West British Islamic Medical Association, and sits on the North West Royal College
of General Practitioners Faculty Board, as well as the Manchester Local Medical
Committee Board. He is involved in community work in his home town of
Rochdale.
SAJJAD AMIN – MANCHESTER
Sajjad Amin is qualified as a solicitor having studied in Manchester University. He
is involved with Khizra Masjid, Manchester as executive board member and is the
national council member of UKIM. He is actively involved in community work with
a particular emphasis on youth development. He acts as a mentor to a number
of children helping to inspire them to achieve greater goals.
3
5. OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO INTERFAITH WORK:
In Britain today, people of many different faiths and beliefs live side by side. The
opportunity lies before us to work together to build a society rooted in the values
we treasure as Britons. Religion has and will continue to play an integral role in
making UK a better society. This award will recognise the individual who has
made the greatest contribution and impact on their chosen field.
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO CHAPLAINCY WORK:
Every day, men and women, at our hospitals, prisons, and universities etc provide
essential services to the spiritual and emotional wellbeing of people. This award
will recognise the individual who has made the greatest contribution and impact
on their chosen field.
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO COMMUNITY COHESION:
Community cohesion is about creating a state of harmony and tolerance
between people from different backgrounds living within a community. Every
member of the UK society must play a part in promoting community
engagement, tolerance and togetherness. This award will recognise the
individual who has made the greatest contribution and impact on their chosen
field.
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION IN EDUCATION & TEACHING:
Teachers in any society should be honoured and respected. The status and role
of teachers in Islam is rooted in the Qur’anic concept of knowledge, its
importance and the dissemination of it through the most effective manner. This
award will recognise the individual who has made positive contributions and
impact on their chosen field.
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO CHARITY WORK:
Through the various charitable projects and organisations the most vulnerable
people in our society are provided a life line for them to continue with their daily
endeavours. Charity begins at home and as British citizens it is our duty to
contribute to the betterment of this society. This award will recognise the
individual who has made the greatest contribution and impact on their chosen
field.
Award Categories:
4
6. OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO YOUTH WORK:
Youth are the present and future leaders of the community. Youth work and
engagement is vital for any Imam and Scholar. The duty of the community is not
to overlook this vital section of our society. Youth need to be nurtured and
cultivated to become outstanding citizens of the British society. This award will
recognise the individual who has made the greatest impact and contribution on
their chosen field.
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT:
Women are the twin halves of the society. They are our mothers, teachers,
activists etc. It is important the community does not overlook the imperative roles
women play in our British society. This award will recognise the individual who has
made the greatest impact and contribution on their chosen field.
OUTSTANDING KHATIB AWARD:
The Friday sermon is the most attended weekly event of the mosque and the
community. The community is able to listen to the important teachings the Imam
imparts to inspire and educate the entire community. This award will recognise
the khatib (preacher) who has motivated and taught through their sermons and
speeches and has made the greatest impact and contributions on their chosen
field.
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO DA’WAH WORK:
As Muslims, Da’wah (inviting to goodness) is not simply a religious obligation; it
provides a path to engender better understanding, love and tolerance from
people within the Muslim community as well as the wider society at large. This
award will recognise the individual who has made the greatest impact and
contribution on their chosen field.
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO MEDIA ENGAGEMENT:
Islam and Muslims are almost always in the media. In recent years there has
been a rise of media representatives and journalists seeking opinions of Imams
and Scholars on a plethora of issues affecting our British society. This award will
recognise the individual who has made the greatest impact and positive
contribution on their chosen field.
5
7. The British Imams & Scholars Contributions & Achievements Awards panel of
judges is made up of key influential Muslim community leaders and religious
figures.
A transparent and professional method regulates the successful candidate for
each of the categories. What follows are the various stages which the British
Imams & Scholars Contributions & Achievements Awards process adopts to
nominate, shortlist and select the successful candidates:
1. The public nominate candidates for each category of awards listed on
the BISCA website.
2. The BISCA team shortlists three successful nominees for each category. This
is done by ranking and scoring the candidates against the criterion.
3. The nominee from each category is then voted and selected as the
successful awardee by the judging panel.
Nominations will close on Saturday May 23rd 2015 thereafter the judging panel
will vote for one awardee from each category.
The successful candidates will be presented with their awards and appreciation
at the ‘BISCA 2015 – Celebrating Goodness’ Event on Friday 12th June 2015 in
London.
Judging Process:
8. MAWLANA SHAYKH SHAHID RAZA
Mawlana Shahid Raza completed his BSc in Chemistry and Biology as well as an
MA in Islamic Studies. He is at present the Head Imam at Leicester Central
Mosque and Chairman of MINAB (Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board).
He is also the Registrar at the Muslim Law (Shari’a) Council UK; the Director of
Imams and Mosques Councils UK; the Head of the Department of Imams Training
and Inter-Faith Relations at the Muslim College, London; the President of the
World Islamic Mission (Europe) and Founder Member (Trustee) of the British
Muslim Forum, member of the National Council of Imams & Rabbis.
In 2008 he was recognised in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list by being
awarded with an OBE for his services to the Muslim community. He is the first
Imam in the United Kingdom to be awarded with an OBE.
DR SHURUQ NAGUIB
Dr Naguib received her PhD in Islamic Studies from the University of Manchester,
Department of Middle Eastern Studies. Her research covers two key strands: the
classical and pre-modern intellectual and textual traditions, particularly Qur’an
hermeneutics and ritual law; and Muslim responses to modernity, with a focus on
how twentieth century and contemporary Muslim women scholars read the
tradition to intellectually and socially develop their religious authority as knowers
of the tradition. She has written on ritual purity, metaphor in post-classical Qur’an
interpretation and Arabic rhetoric, feminist hermeneutics of the Qur’an, and
contemporary female exegetes and jurists in Islam.
She has been involved in supporting Islamic studies in the UK through her work
with HEFCE’s Islamic Studies Network until 2012, and currently through her
capacity as interim Co-chair of the British Association of Islamic Studies (BRAIS).
MUFTI ABDUL KADIR BARKATULLAH
Mufti Barkatulla is a prominent Islamic Shariah law scholar with a strong
background in economics and finance. He received his MPhil in Informatics from
the University of Wales (UK). He acquired a Mufti (diploma) in Islamic law and
Fazil (Bachelor of Islamic Studies) from the Islamic University, India. He is a
member of the Shariah supervisory boards for several UK financial institutions. As
a broadcaster and maintainer of Islamic Helpline, he has wealth of experience in
Judging Panel:
7
6
9. Islamic financial issues in Europe. He was the former senior imam of Finchley
mosque in London.
DR FELLA LAHMAR
Dr Fella Lahmar graduated with a BA degree in Islamic studies, Quran and
Sunnah from Emir Abdelkader Islamic University in Algeria. She also holds an MA
in Islamic Studies from the Markfield Institute of Higher Education and an MA in
Educational Research Methods from the University of Nottingham. Dr Lahmar
then went on to study for her PhD in Education at The University of Nottingham.
AAMER NAEEM
Aamer Naeem qualified with 1st class honours as a pharmacist in 1992 and
gained a Masters in Business Administration with distinction in 2007. He is currently
the Director of Innov8 Creative Solutions Ltd, a consultancy providing strategic
and operational support to a range of organisations, many within the Muslim
community and Innov8 Training Solutions Ltd which delivers Leadership
Development Programmes across public, private and voluntary sectors. He has
been delivering the Muslim Council of Britain’s annual Leadership Programme for
the last 10 years as well as many bespoke interfaith and interfaith Leadership
programmes nationwide. He is the Chief Executive Officer of Penny Appeal
International and also the Editor in Chief of British Muslim TV. He sits as a fitness to
practice committee member of the General Pharmaceutical Council of Great
Britain and a Governor of William Hulme’s Grammar School, Manchester.
8
