Aboulela described the award as “a complete and utter surprise,” expressing gratitude to English PEN and the judges for recognizing her work.

She said she was “honored to win a prize established in memory of Harold Pinter, a great writer who continues to inspire so much loyalty and consistent high regard.”

Reflecting on her identity, she added, “For someone like me, a Muslim Sudanese immigrant who writes from a religious perspective probing the limits of secular tolerance, this recognition feels truly significant.”

Leila Aboulela, born in 1964 in Cairo to an Egyptian mother and Sudanese father, was raised in Khartoum, Sudan, where she lived until 1987.

She studied at the Khartoum American School and the Sisters’ School, a private Catholic high school, before earning a degree in Economics with a specialization in Statistics from the University of Khartoum.

She later moved to the UK, completing an MSc and MPhil in Statistics at the London School of Economics. In 1990, she settled in Aberdeen, Scotland, where she began writing in 1992 while working as a lecturer and research assistant.

Aboulela is the author of six acclaimed novels, including The Translator (a New York Times 100 Notable Book), Minaret, Bird Summons, The Kindness of Enemies, Lyrics Alley (winner of the Scottish Book Awards), and River Spirit.

Her short story collection Elsewhere, Home won the Saltire Fiction Book of the Year Award.

She was the first-ever winner of the Caine Prize for African Writing and has been longlisted three times for the Orange Prize (now the Women’s Prize for Fiction).

Her work has been translated into fifteen languages, and her plays such as The Insider and The Mystic Life have been broadcast on BBC Radio.

She is Honorary Professor of the WORD Centre at the University of Aberdeen and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.

Source: Maktoob Media

He expressed deep gratitude for the honour, writing: “This honour is not just a personal milestone, but a reflection of the collective work, unwavering support, and most notably the exceptional guidance I have been privileged to receive. From the good days to the most difficult ones, I remain committed to serving my country and our communities, and playing my small part in helping make the world a better, fairer place for all.”

The King’s Birthday Honours are part of the British honours system, announced annually to mark the sovereign’s official birthday.

They recognize individuals from all walks of life who have made outstanding contributions to society, including in public service, the arts, charity, science, and community leadership.

Source: About Islam

“If I think of basketball in England, there isn’t anybody else that I’ve seen who’s from a South Asian background, is Pakistani, is Muslim and wears a hijab,”

Hailing from Manchester, she not only plays and coaches for the Manchester Mystics but also competes in the Women’s National Basketball League Division 1.

She also represents Great Britain’s over-35s team, set to compete in the European Championship this summer in Italy.

Despite her successes might make the journey look easy, her path through the sport has come with its own challenges.

“There was a time where within basketball, you weren’t allowed to wear a hijab and that obviously changed,” Khalil added.

Taking the decision to wear a hijab in early 2010s, she was shocked to discover she wasn’t allowed to play while wearing the Islamic attire which was banned by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA).

In 2017 FIBA lifted the ban, meaning players did not have to decide between faith and sport.

“People just want to be able to participate comfortably. I potentially would have come back earlier if that rule wasn’t in place,” she said.

Joe Forber, Manchester Mystics co-founder and former Sports Personality of the Year Unsung Hero award-winner, described Khalil as a “role model”.

Source: AboutIslam.net

Nominated for her remarkable achievements and enthusiasm, Naimah’s love for the outdoors inspired the charitable group.

“Buxton Rotary nominated Naimah after hearing her and the Head of Youth and Community at Lindley Educational Trust’s Hollowford Centre in Castleton talk at one of our meetings,” said Kim Priestley, from Buxton Rotary.

“We were impressed by her personal achievements and accomplishments but also her enthusiasm and the obvious enjoyment she got from undertaking her outdoor adventures.

“Hopefully Naimah’s example will see more Asians, Muslims and young girls wanting to experience and enjoy the beauty of the outdoors.”

From hiking with her father to leading winter skills adventures and climbing mountains for charity, she continues to embody resilience and encouragement, inspiring others to embrace outdoor experiences.

In August 2023 Naimah went to Morocco to climb Mount Toubkal. More recently she climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in January 2024 for charity.

“Naimah pushes herself to do something outside her comfort zone but alongside her own self-development and confidence-building, her example proves that those of an Asian background, particularly young Muslim girls and women, can enjoy the beautiful British countryside through activities that are good for both their physical and mental health,” Kim said.

“Naimah is now an enthusiastic advocate for the outdoors and an excellent role model for other young people, a great example of a Rotary young citizen.”

Naimah received her award at a special presentation ceremony in Alcester, Warwickshire at the end of April supported by family and members of Buxton Rotary.

Source: AboutIslam.net

The Minnesota Supreme Court marked a historic first as Associate Justice Karl Procaccini was formally installed to his post during a ceremony fittingly held at the History Center. Procaccini is the first person of Muslim faith — he converted to Islam before marriage — to sit on the court.

Hundreds of current and former elected officials, justices, judges, attorneys and others filled the auditorium for the traditional investiture ceremony in which Chief Justice Natalie Hudson also made history as the first person of color to lead the court. Both were appointed to their roles by Gov. Tim Walz in August and took their initial oaths via signature in early October.

In his remarks, Procaccini said he would use his role to protect the rule of law.

Procaccini, 40, comes from a University of St. Thomas School of Law teaching position. He also spent time as general counsel to Gov. Tim Walz in his first term.

Procaccini helped orchestrate the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which was a large part of why Walz chose to appoint him.

“At the heart of those decisions, at a time when lives were in the balance. It was Justice Karl Procaccini who was there to make sure that we were doing things the right way,” Walz said. “Decision after decision after decision, what I saw was always in the best interest of Minnesotans with the highest ethics.”

On November 15, 2023, US President Joe Biden nominated Adeel A. Mangi, a Harvard- and Oxford-trained lawyer, to the US Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit, based in Philadelphia.

It comes two years after Biden nominated the first Muslim to a federal district court, Zahid N. Quraishi, who was confirmed by the Senate for a judgeship in New Jersey.

Source: MPR News

According to French media, a fire broke out in a two-story building in Romans-sur-Isere in southeastern France.

Ezzedine Hamdi, a baker at the Fournil de Jacquemart bakery underneath the building, was one of the few people to be awake in the early morning when the fire broke out.

When he heard screams, he exited his bakery and saw that the building above was in flames.

He then called firefighters and it quickly emerged that 17 people were trapped.

But Ezzedine didn’t hesitate or wait for the firefighters. He used a ladder to climb up to a window where a woman handed him her baby. After he took the baby to safety, he went back up to help her. The firefighters then arrived and took over.

With Ezzedine Hamdi praised as a hero in the neighborhood and on social media, numerous Twitter users said he is deserving of a Legion of Honor, France’s highest order of merit.

Source: 5pillarsuk

The dream is getting closer to reality, thanks to the scholarships she received from Women in Aviation International, alongside other students from the Fanshawe College Norton Wolf School of Aviation and Aerospace Technology.

As a hijabi Muslim, Ayyaz had to break many false taboos to pursue her career ambitions.

In a country where male pilots outnumber female pilots 12 to one, according to the latest statistics from Transport Canada, Ayyaz hopes to inspire more women to pursue a career in aviation.

“This is like a dream for me. It’s my passion and I believe that women should be able to do anything that they put their mind to, especially if it’s in aviation. There should be more women being pilots,” she said.

Source: Wisconsin Muslim Journal

This appointment recognizes his commitment to environmental sustainability, which is highly valued in Islam. In Islam, preserving the environment is honoring the relationship between oneself, Allah, and Allah’s creation.

Safa’s environmental project, called Plant4Life, won him a UN award and aims to encourage students to plant seeds every year.

As the Young Green Mayor, Safa will represent the voices of young people in the borough and visit schools to educate students about the importance of plants and sustainability. He hopes to expand his project globally in the future and contribute to beneficial projects in his society through policy education.

Read more at: AboutIslam.net

 The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Dilawar Syed as deputy administrator of the Small Business Administration, making him the highest-ranking Muslim official in the US government.

President Joe Biden had first nominated the Pakistani-born businessman to the position in March 2021, and he re-nominated him this year in the new Congress.

“Energized to serve millions of small businesses at @SBAgov and lift communities in partnership with @SBAIsabel. It’s been the greatest privilege to represent America on the global stage at @StateDept”.

Syed’s nomination stalled in committee last Congress after Republicans repeatedly failed to appear for votes. Thursday’s vote ended more than two years of blockade by Republicans in the last Congress.

Last year, Biden picked eight judicial nominees, including Nusrat Choudhury who would be the first Muslim woman to serve as a federal judge.

He also nominated Rashad Hussain to be the first Muslim US ambassador-at-large for International Religious Freedom.

Source: AboutIslam.net

Kabir will be the next mayor of the City of College Park following a landslide victory in a special election held over the past month. He is reportedly the first Muslim to hold the post of mayor of any Maryland city.

“This historic moment is a cause for celebration for all those who value diversity and inclusivity. We congratulate Mayor-Elect Kabir on this victory and look forward to continuing to work with him and all our elected leaders to advance causes that affect and matter to our vibrant communities.” Said CAIR’s Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry.

He’s served on the city council for the last 12 years, where he’s led efforts like creating the Hollywood Farmers Market. He will be sworn in on Tuesday and serve until November’s regularly scheduled elections.

“I am grateful to my community for electing me as the first Muslim mayor of Maryland as a prime example of what our country offers – the opportunity to fulfill the American dream by serving others.” Said Mayor-Elect Kabir to CAIR in a statement.

Kabir grew up in Bangladesh and lived in the United Kingdom and Canada before moving to College Park 20 years ago. He previously worked as an adjunct professor teaching cybersecurity at the University of Maryland.

Source: CAIR