Testimonials
Gordon Brown
The Prime Minister
I am proud to welcome the Muslim Writers Awards for the first event in London. I wholeheartedly endorse this fantastic initiative. The vibrant mélange of languages, cultures and religions are London’s greatest asset. I hope the awards grow from strength to strength and wish everyone connected with them much success in the future.
Boris Johnson
Mayor of London
I welcome the Muslim Writers Awards. They provide an opportunity to celebrate the talent of those who are already writing, and to encourage others to follow in their footsteps and put pen to paper.
Rt Hon Stephen Timms
MP, Financial Secretary, H M Treasury, Labour Party, Vice Chair for Faiths
It is a testament to the Muslim Writers Awards that it assists and nurtures aspiring writers and provides an opportunity for us to acknowledge and celebrate the success and achievements of British Muslims. An event like this allows us all as British citizens to recognize and appreciate each others’ contributions to the country we call home. Many young people, including many British Muslims, need a sense of direction and role models to guide them to the fulfilling path of positive citizenship. Those that are recognised by the Muslim Writers Awards for their contribution to making Britain a better place are beacons of both hope and inspiration for the next generation.
Sadiq Khan
MP, Minister for Communities
I thought Wednesday night was an absolute triumph. Beautifully organised, everything running to schedule, all the sound and light and video worked wonderfully, and a great crowd. I had a call yesterday from an aspiring writer who had seen it all on TV - so the message is getting out there. We were just delighted to be part of the event, and look forward very much to being equally involved next year.
Helen Fraser
Managing Director General Division, Penguin Group UK
Vehicles like the MWA will help inspire more people to not only improve their ability to communicate, but also to be heard for the right reasons.
James Caan
CEO, Hamilton Bradshaw
The Muslim Writers Awards is such an important project because it is based on the appreciation of writers and writing. It is an indication of how far British Muslim have progressed in terms of their confidence and abilities in wanting to share their experiences and stories not only among themselves but with wider society.
Fuad Nahdi
Executive Director, Radical Middle Way
We need MWA to showcase writers and encourage people to offer a sense of who we are and where we are.
Amir Sulaiman
HBO Def Poet
The power of communication through word offers endless potential for change at all level. The Muslim Writers is profoundly important and requires everyone’s time and efforts.
Jermaine Jackson
Artist
The third annual Muslim Writers Awards aims to recognize the very best of British Muslim literary talent. The MCB, as the largest Muslim umbrella group, is fully behind this project and wishes it success.
Mohammed Abdul Bari
Muslim Council of Britain
Congratulations to you and your team for organising such a splendid event to acknowledge Muslim writers. The evening was inspirational.
Ahmed J Versi
Editor, The Muslim News
The Muslim Writers Awards draws attention to the hidden talents within our communities for which it deserves great praise. It helps us celebrate these successes and promote those who tell the Muslim tale, in its many forms and renderings. Muslim writers in recent years have topped the bestseller lists, have explained Islamic thoughts and beliefs, and have opened channels of dialogue and trust with an oft mistrusting society. The Muslim Writers Awards needs to be commended for acknowledging all these hard work.
Ismail Patel
Chairman, Friends of Al Aqsa
I have worked alongside the Muslim Writers Awards for the last few years and have watched the event develop and grow to the international heights it has reached today.
My job is to promote cultural dialogue and continue to support an art for social change ethos in whatever I do. Part of my role is to support young writers and promote the competition throughout my work in schools. I have been honoured with performing at previous events and shall continue to show my support for this endevour above all others in my literature calendar.
Dreadlockalien
Poet, performer and arts activist
I am delighted to be able to support the Muslim Writers Awards. This is a wonderful opportunity to bring excellent writing by Muslim writers to new audience, and increase the mutual understanding of the people of Britain. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all of the participating writers and winners of this year's awards and wish you all an enjoyable evening.