Bradford’s own Nazim Ali – widely recognised as one of the region’s most dedicated community champions – has been honoured with his fifth national accolade at the National Ethnicity Awards 2025.
Held at London’s Marriott Grosvenor Square, Nazim received the ‘Outstanding Contribution to Communities’ award; a category that celebrates those who have gone above and beyond to uplift marginalised and diverse communities through grassroots action, advocacy and sustained impact.
For more than 28 years, Nazim has been a tireless force for good across the UK and beyond, raising almost £1.3 million for charity in the past 13 years alone.
Known affectionately as the “Ramadan Runner” for completing annual 10K charity runs while fasting, he has raised £512,000 from 12 consecutive runs, supporting causes that span food poverty, housing, and international relief.
Through his global aid work, Ali has helped build 347 homes in Malawi, Pakistan, Uganda, Afghanistan and Burundi, and taken part in 18 humanitarian trips, distributing vital supplies to some of the world’s most deprived communities.
At home in Bradford, his Nazim Ali Foundation runs the Khidma Community Kitchen at the Millan Centre in Manningham, providing free two-course hot meals every Tuesday to those in need, regardless of faith or background. Since its launch in February 2024, the initiative has served nearly 14,000 meals.
Another of his initiatives, ‘Creating Smiles’, brings comfort to children at Bradford Royal Infirmary and Airedale Hospital, delivering gifts during regular visits – 48 to date.
Nazim’s dedication has previously earned him the British Empire Medal (BEM) in the King’s New Year Honours 2025and an Honorary Fellowship from the University of Bradford in 2023 for his “selfless service to others.”
Speaking after receiving his award, Nazim said he was “profoundly humbled and elated,” adding: “The last 14-months have been extremely difficult with my father’s illness and passing, but I have remained totally committed to helping others.
“People are suffering in our midst, and we cannot stop God’s work of helping the vulnerable. No award comes close to making a human heart happy – that’s what truly matters.”
Nazim also expressed gratitude to his sponsors and donors, for supporting his community projects, and thanked his friend Mohammed Azeem, a Covid-19 survivor, who accompanied him to the London ceremony.
The National Ethnicity Awards, now in their seventh year, celebrate individuals and organisations driving positive change in diversity, equality and inclusion across the UK. Among those in attendance were Olympic medallist Dr Fatima Whitbread and singer and broadcaster Myleene Klass. This years’ event was held on Thursday 16 October.
