UK Muslim Top 100 HonoredIslamOnline.net & Newspapers
CAIRO — A galaxy of 100 British Muslim dignitaries were awarded Saturday, February 10, for their valuable contributions to the social, cultural and economic well-being of Britain.
"We wanted to highlight the positive contributions made by British Muslims to society," Sultan Choudhury, a spokesman for the Islamic Bank of Britain (IBB) which sponsored the Muslim Power 100 list, told The Independent.
The list included a variety of British Muslims from all walks of life in the European country.
Leading among those honored were singer Yusuf Islam, formerly known as Cat Stevens, actor Art Malik, politician Imran Khan and boxer Amir Khan.
The list also included Harrods boss Mohamed al Fayed, Labour member Lord Patel, Sun reporter Anila Baig and Independent columnist Yasmin Alibhai-Brown.
Excellence awards were also given to nine guests, including Dr Hany El Banna, founder of Islamic Relief, and Haifa Fahoum Al Kaylani, chair of the Arab International Women's Forum.
"Not only does this list recognize exceptional achievements, but it also illustrates the opportunities for success available for Muslims in Britain," said Choudhury.
The list included 22 company chiefs, including Sir Gulam Noon, whose curry empire is worth around £55m.
The Muslim minority contributes over £31bn to the British economy each year.
The Muslim Power 100 list was compiled from some 6,000 nominations.
It was judged by a 16-strong panel including Sir Iqbal Sacranie, the former secretary general of the umbrella group Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), Lord Bhatia and Dr Ghayassuddin Siddiqui of the Muslim Parliament of Great Britain.
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The IBB said that the list of Muslim figures was "more important than ever to recognize contribution of Muslims".
Choudhury said the Muslim contributions "are in complete contrast with media connotations that somehow Muslims are linked to terrorism, are not as educated, or are segregating themselves."
"The opposite is true - we are integrating and contributing across a wide range of fields," he added.
Lord Patel – Britain's first Asian peer – agreed.
He said the list "can only help improve perceptions of Muslims in Britain".
Journalist Rageh Omaah, also on the list, said the move could help change stereotypes of the Muslim minority.
"Anything that helps to remind people that there's a mainstream British Muslim community that has no problem being proud to be British and Muslim is a good thing," he told The Independent.
British Muslims, estimated at some 1.8 million, have been in the eye of storm since the 7/7 attacks, which killed 56 people, including the four Muslim bombers.
The Policy Exchange think-tank said in a report on January 29 that British officials must stop treating Muslims as a monolith with special needs that are different to the rest of the population.
It said the government should treat Muslims as citizens rather than a homogenous group singled out for a sensitive and special treatment.
A UK study also said last month that the Western media and film industry were perpetuating Islamophobia and prejudice by demonizing Muslims and Arabs as violent, dangerous and threatening people.
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