Award recognition for Leeds Imam

A Leeds-based imam has been awarded for his outstanding contribution to the welfare and integration of minority communities into mainstream British society.

Imam of Makkah Masjid, Qari Asim MBE, was awarded the British Community Honours Award last week in front of esteemed guests and personnel in the capital.

The award was presented by the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Rowan Williams, at an awards dinner held at the House of Lords.

ACHIEVEMENT: Former Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Rowan Williams, presents the British Community Honours Award to Imam of Leeds’ Makkah Masjid, Qari Asim MBE

Imam Qari Asim MBE said: “I am incredibly humbled and immensely honoured by the British Community Honours award.

“I am deeply indebted to my family, friends and the community, all of whom have played an important role in enabling me to serve minority communities.”

It is worth remembering that Qari Asim was invited to Buckingham Palace last year and was given the MBE award by Her Majesty The Queen for his incredible services.

One of the trustees of Leeds Makkah Mosque, Haji Arif, was proud to see Qari Asim collect the accolade and believes that he more than deserves the recognition.

He said: “Imam Qari Asim’s award is a cause of celebration for us all because it signifies and recognises the ground-breaking work that Qari Asim has been doing to enhance communal relations and lead the way in tackling some the of taboo issues in the British Muslim community.”

A female student of Imam Qari Asim, Saima Hussain, said that she was ‘thrilled’ by this award, which was ‘richly deserved’.

Leeds Muslim Council added in an official statement: “We offer our heartfelt congratulations to Imam Qari Asim and wish him every success and blessings for the future.”