Two Khoja high achievers have been recognised at the prestigious British Muslim Awards 2020.
Dr Mohammedabbas Khaki won the award for outstanding medical achievement, while Dr Munir Datoo was Highly Commended in the Muslim in the Community category.
Both are proud representatives of Hujjat Islamic Centre in Stanmore, west London.
Serving humanity
Dr Khaki is a GP working in north London who treated victims of the Grenfell Tower fire and has volunteered in Iraq, Lesvos and the Calais refugee camp. He tweets as @doctorkhaki
His belief is that: “At a time when the focus of the world’s attention is on all the things that divide us, I hope it’s the words of the Islamic leader and philosopher Ali ibn Abi Talib that we can hold on to: ‘Know that there are only two types of people in this world: your brother in faith, or your equal in humanity.’”
At the British Muslim Awards ceremony in Manchester he praised the “room full of active people who want to serve humanity and therefore our creator.”
Read more about Dr Khaki here: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jun/22/gp-grenfell-tower-victims-atrocity
Building bridges
Dr Datoo was recognised for his work as President of Hujjat Jamaat. An example of the centre’s community work came at Christmas when a group of 50 volunteers of all ages distributed gifts to local residents to build relationships.
At the time Dr Datoo said: “The doors of our centre are always open to our neighbours, from all or no faith. We wish to build bridges and continue to be a positive asset to society in London.”
Read more about that initiative here: https://khojanews.org/stanmore-volunteers-make-neighbourhood-special/
Making the UK a better place
The British Muslim Awards shine a light on incredible members of the Muslim community whose work and volunteering makes the UK a better place.
“The purpose of these awards is to recognise, celebrate and promote the success, achievements and contributions of Britain’s Muslim individuals, groups and businesses, and to highlight the significant role Muslims play in contributing to a better Great Britain,” organisers said.
Finalists for the eighth annual ceremony were selected from nominations received from the public, with winners chosen by an independent panel.
The glamorous black-tie final was held on 31 January at the Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel.