December 19, 2012 

1. Irene Zubaida Khan

Irene is Chancellor of University of Salford and in 2001 she was the first woman, the first Asian, and the first Muslim to guide the world’s largest human rights organization, Amnesty International as its seventh Secretary General. 

2. Ruby Hammer MBE

Ruby is a pioneering influence on the fashion and beauty industries, is director of Ruby and Millie and the Scarlett & Crimson make up ranges, and is well known from her media appearances and contributions to the leading fashion and lifestyle magazines including Vogue, Elle, Harpers Bazaar and Marie Claire.

3. Captain Naveen Rahman

Naveen is a Captain in the British Army, Intelligence Corps and has fought in Afghanistan and Iraq. She is also a world class fencer and has represented Guernsey at the Commonwealth Games, she is a former British number eight, as well as an army and inter-services champion.

Tahmima’s first novel, ‘A Golden Age’ was shortlisted for the Guardian First Book Award and the Costa First Novel Prize, and was the winner of the 2008 Commonwealth Writers Prize for Best First Book. The follow up novel ‘The Good Muslim’ was nominated for the 2011 Man Asian Literary Prize.

Urologist, Jhumur is one of just a few female surgeons within the field of Urology and one of five designated pelvic cancer surgeons within the North East London network.

Gulnahar, a senior scientist at a National Institute of Cancer Research, is working on proteins orchestrating the cell cycle process. Her work at the National Institute of Medical Research contributed to the understanding of a range of human diseases such as HIV and Leukemia, and has been published in the prestigious journal Nature.

She is a national and international speaker on faith and regeneration, peace building, women’s issues and climate change. She is co-chair of Faiths and Beliefs in Further Education and has recently spoken at the Norwegian Parliament on faith and positive change.

Nazia is a consultant in equal opportunities management, research and training and amongst others, non-executive director for NHS Luton and currently chair of three voluntary community organisations including Luton Multicultural Women’s Coalition.

Solma works on emergency planning to ensure a coordinated response between local and central governments. She is former Chief Executive at Labo Housing Association where she transformed a community based housing association into a highly successful BAME organisation.

Rezia produces hand woven textiles and was one of the artists selected by the South West Arts Council to create a piece celebrating the cultural diversity of Britain. She is a teacher and exhibits work across the UK, awarded an MBE in 2005 for her contribution to arts in London.

1. Ed Hussain

Ed is a leading expert on international affairs, the co-founder of Quilliam Foundation, author of The Islamist and finalist for the George Orwell prize for political writing. A frequent commentator for international broadcasters such as Sky News, CNN, Fox, BBC, Al-Jazeera, and publications including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, FT and the Guardian.

2. Aktar Islam

Aktar is emerging as one of the most talented chefs in the UK. TV appearances include Market Kitchen and Gordon Ramsay’s F Word. Winner of Ramsay’s Best Local Restaurant 2009 and BBC 2’s Great British Menu 2011. Lasan is listed in the “NY Times 45 places to go in 2012”.

3. Shah Qureshi

Shah is a top ranked lawyer in Chambers UK 2012, a leading figure in discrimination law. He is Head of the Employment law at Bindmans LLP. His expertise is in representing executives and professionals in both contentious and non-contentious work and he has acted in a number of landmark cases.

Tulip has worked for Amnesty International, the GLA, Save the Children, Oona King, Sadiq Khan and on the Ed Miliband leadership campaign. She is the national BAME Officer for Young Labour and Women’s Officer for London Young Labour.

Saiman’s design has been chosen as the official £5 coin for the London 2012 Olympic Games by the Royal Mint. He is a masters student at Birmingham School of Architecture and Saiman has worked on multi-million pound residential, social housing and urban design projects in Birmingham and China.

Runa’s work aims to blur the distinctions between film and sculpture, art and cinema, and encourages a range of interpretations from viewers. She was nominated in 2008 for the Turner Prize and has exhibited work across the world. Her most recent commission is the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

Rooful founded Emerald Network, the UK’s leading Muslim Social Networking Enterprise. Established in 2004, it has hosted in excess of 130 events to-date, including the recent a series of ‘SquareMileMuslim’ events in the City of London with global firms. Rooful is founding director and former chair of the European Muslim Professionals Network.

Tariq is an award winning film maker. His first short film, ‘Faith in London’ (2010), received awards at several international film festivals and competitions. It was aired on BBC One, and continues to be screened across the world.

Selected in 2011 as one of 50 women in Manchester “Most Likely to Make an Impact”, Mumtaz is a presenter on RedShift Radio in Cheshire and has been profiled as an “inspirational woman in business” by 3rdi Magazine.

Mumzy was the first British Bengali artist to enter the mainstream music industry. He was a winner at the UK Asian Music awards, taking home the prize for Best Urban Act 2011.

1. Iqbal Ahmed OBE

This Manchester based businessman built his fortunes on seafood companies, the group has branches all over the world. One of the richest men in the UK, he is the highest ranked British Bangladeshi featured in The Sunday Times Rich List. He was awarded an OBE in 2001 for his services to international trade.

2. Shelim Hussain MBE

The architect of his own fortune, Shelim started his business with an initial capital of £20; the annual turnover now stands at an impressive £80 million. He was awarded Personality of the Year at the British Curry Awards 2011 and received an MBE in 2003 for services to business in Wales.

3. Muquim Ahmed

Muquim’s business assets are worth in the region of £35 million. He is currently building a food manufacturing branch of his business and leading a campaign to get the government to create a “curry university” to train British unemployed people in the spicy arts.

Owner of the one of the fastest growing telecommunications businesses in the UK with turnover of over £15 million, Zamir is responsible for connecting millions of ex pats with their friends and family on a daily basis. His company lists 13th on the Times Tec list 2011.

Voted one of the Top 10 Restaurateurs in Britain in an Independent on Sunday survey, Iqbal has been described as a “serial entrepreneur” by the Institute of Directors and a “national treasure” by The Times. Awarded an OBE in 2009 for public service and services to the hospitality industry.

Abdur Rouf has diversified his portfolios, while retaining roots in the hospitality and catering industries. He is the Honorary President of St Andrews University Cricket Club and Scottish Regional President of British Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce. He actively supports many community and charitable initiatives both in the UK and Bangladesh.

Wali’s success has been celebrated by both the Scottish and British Curry Awards. Wali owns a number of restaurants in Scotland and is former Director General and Chairman of the Bangladesh British Chamber of Commerce. He is joint president of European Bangladesh Federation. He was awarded an MBE in 1995 for his services to race relations.

Atique’s enthusiasm for food and business has led him to launch an apprentice-training programme for aspiring restaurateurs. He is a sponsor of the Hackney Empire, as well as sponsor of the Asian and Oriental School of Catering, part of Hackney College.

Taj Stores was established on Brick Lane in 1936 and instantly became synonymous with spices in the East End of London. They are the oldest Asian grocery store in the UK. They have since diversified business interests into properties both at home and in the Middle East, and Bangladesh.

Rofique is Chairman of a leading import & export business and runs one of largest Bangladeshi grocers in UK. He is Regional Director of the British Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and in line with his passion for Brick Lane he is planning for a multi million pound hotel in heart of Bangla Town.

1. Rushanara Ali MP

Rushnara is the first British Bangladeshi to be elected to parliament, having defeated George Galloway’s Respect Party in the 2010 General Election. A rising star in the Labour Party, she was immediately appointed by Ed Milliband to the Labour front bench as Shadow Minister for International Development where she is spearheading an international campaign on climate change.

2. Mayor Lutfur Rahman

Lutfur is the first British Bangladeshi to be elected as an executive mayor. He fought the election in October 2010 as an Independent candidate. He was listed at number 78 in the Daily Telegraphs “The top 100 most influential people on the Left 2011”.

3. Anwar Choudhury

Anwar was the former British High Commissioner for Bangladesh in 2004, and was the first BAME person to be appointed in a senior diplomatic post. He continues to serve the government as Director of International Institutions at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office.

Having joined the Foreign & Commonwealth Office in 1999, Asif was appointed as British Ambassador to Thailand in 2011. He is the former head of the South East Asia and Pacific Department of the FCO and former Director of UK Trade and Investment.

A Labour councillor with 25 years experience working in the community, Nasim is the first British Bangladeshi leader of Camden Council and the countries youngest ever Mayor. Nasim was awarded an OBE in 2010 for services to Local government.

Working in a diplomatic role with the British Government overseas, Halima has worked in China, Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan on high-impact international programmes, leading the UK government’s work in education.

Nahid is Deputy Director within the Department for Work and Pensions and is currently the most senior British Bangladeshi Muslim woman in the civil service where she heads a new division whose task is to develop and deliver employment opportunities for disadvantaged people. She was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Honours List 2006.

Murad has been a GLA member since 2004, where he is Chair of the Environment Committee, the London Waterways Commission, and a Member of the Standards and Budget Committees. Previously a Westminster City councillor between 1998 and 2006. Murad is a Board Member of BRAC UK, an International NGO.

First British Bangladeshi to hold an Assistant Chief Executive position in local government, Shazia is invested in supporting the development and growth of community services in Southend.

Saleemul is Senior Fellow in the Climate Change Group at the International Institute for Environment and Development. He was awarded the Burtoni Award in 2007 and is lead author of the chapter on Adaptation and Sustainable Development in the third assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

1. Prof Andy Miah (BA, MPhil, PhD, FRSA)

Andy is a fresh thinking academic, who is a regular writer for newspapers around the world including the Washington post and the Guardian. His research discusses the intersections of ethics, technology and culture.

2. Akram Khan MBE

Winner of multiple critics awards including the Distinguished Artist Award at the International Society for the Performing Arts 2011. In August 2000, Akram launched the Akram Khan Company. His first full-length work Kaash, was a collaboration with Anish Kapoor and Nitin Sawhney, was performed at the Edinburgh Festival.

3. Monica Ali

Visiting Professor of Creative Writing at Columbia University, Monica is former Chair of the 2011 Asian Man Booker Prize and a member of the Advisory Council. She will be Chairing the judging panel of the Royal Society Winton prize for popular science writing, and judging the Guardian First Book Award.

Mushtaq’s ground breaking work focuses on the economics of poor countries; it includes notable contributions to the field of institutional economics and South Asian development.

Tipu is Professor of neurosurgery at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, lecturer at Magdalen College, Oxford and Imperial College London medical school. His research focuses on the use of Deep Brain Stimulation in the alleviation of movement disorders and pain syndromes.

First British Bangladeshi head teacher in Tower Hamlets and also acts in the role of HM Inspector for Education. Exceptionally talented and dedicated teacher, he run’s one of the biggest Saturday Islamic Schools in East London.

Birmingham based spiritual artist known for merging graffiti style with Islamic art and connecting different communities. Having won an ITV South Bank Award in the Arts Council England Diversity category, he continues to paint his “walls” around the world.

Anwar is the first British Bangladesh professional footballer. He currently plays as a defender for Barnet F.C, and has previously played for West Ham United, and captained at Dagenham & Redbridge F.C.

With only two and a half years of professional fighting experience, Ruqsana has already won the British Atom weight (48-50kg) championship and a bronze medal at the World Championship in Bangkok. She has represented England as a kickboxer and will be competing in the Sports Accord Championships in 2012.

At 18 years old the East London teenager has won a dream professional contract with the MCC Young Cricketers (YCs). Dipayan will join the YC squad at Lord’s in 2012.

1. Bajloor Rashid MBE

Bajloor is President of the Bangladesh Caterers Association. His inspirational leadership has transformed the organisation and he was awarded with an MBE in the 2012 new year’s honour list.

2. Amin Ali

Amin founded the famous Red Fort restaurant in 1983, a Soho favourite with politicians, celebrities and dignitaries from across the world. He established the very first Co-Operative Indian restaurant in 1979. He also organised the first ‘London Festival of Bangladesh’ and hosts the Bangladesh Food Festival at the Red Fort.

3. Enam Ali MBE

Enam is owner of the highly acclaimed Le Raj restaurant in Epsom and is Editor of Spice Business Magazine. He was honoured with the Freedom of the City of London in 2011 and also awarded an MBE for contribution to the curry industry in 2009.

Owner of the Raj in Edinburgh, Tommy Miah has created a celebrity following through his own TV shows. He owns a hotel in Scotland and London. He also established the Institute of Hospitality Management, training many Bangladeshis in the international hospitality industry.

Director of Pride of Asia, the award winning and most recognised Bangladeshi wedding and events caterer, Wazid has built a strong reputation over the past 15 years and acts as a passionate community and charity activist.

Pasha is a well known champion of the curry industry in the UK as Secretary General of the Bangladesh Caterers Association and owner of a number of well established restaurants in the Kent and Sussex areas. He is also an active member of the Labour party.

Ana is CEO and Chairman of House of Spice Group. Since arriving in UK in 1964 at the age of 16 Ana has opened 23 restaurants. He was a local Conservative councillor for four years. As well as being a restaurateur, Ana has a keen interest in racing horses.

Azizur is a director of the Bangladesh British Chamber of Commerce and has gained a reputation for excellence. His restaurant the ‘Aziz’ has gained national and international recognition as one of the best in the country. He is an organiser of the increasingly popular annual “Nowka Bais” boat race in Oxford.

Mahtab Miah is a very well known restaurateur in the north east of England. He opened his first restaurant in 1973, and now owns the highly acclaimed Vujon restaurant in Manchester. Mahtab is Director of British Bangladesh Chamber of commerce.

Catering Recruitment and Training

Founder of Shahnan Employment Service, Faruk has three decades of experience in recruiting and training staff for the British Bangladeshi catering industry. He pioneered bi lingual hygiene training and is a valued resource for the community. He is former chair of the Bangladesh British Chamber of Commerce.

1. Ahmed us Samad Chowdhury JP (FISMM, FCMI, FIH)

Under Ahmed’s guidance Channel S is now one of the most watched ethnic channels in Europe, broadcasting various family friendly dramas and live programmes. It leads on community campaigns and champions charity fundraising in support of the Bangladeshi / Muslim community in UK and across the world.

2. Sharif Muhammad Hasan-Al Banna MBE

Awakening Worldwide is a portfolio of companies including a publishing house, event management and international record label. Banna chairs the Exploring Islam Foundation (EIF) and is a member of the international Qatar Foundation based Centre for Islamic Ethics and Legislation (CILE).

3. Konnie Huq

Konnie has made herself a household name from being the longest-serving female Blue Peter presenter and a former X Factor presenter. Konnie works in TV, radio and print journalism. She is a regular visitor to Bangladesh and supports a number of charities.

Sarwar is Founder of the Eastern Eye, which became the fastest-growing Asian newspaper in Britain. He became editor-in-chief of the Asian Times, Caribbean Times and New Nation, then sold up to launch other Asian fashion magazines. He is currently publisher of Asiana and Asiana Wedding.

Abdul has accumulated a vast body of work as an author and journalist but is best known for his strong political views and lyrics to Amar Bhaier Rokte Rangano, which has become the main song commemorating the Bengali Language Movement.

Faisal has interviewed everyone from the Prime Minister to the President of the World Bank. He has won the Work World Foundation’s “Broadcast News Reporter of the Year” in 2010, having also collected numerous awards for his coverage of the Icelandic banking crisis in 2009.

A highly respected British-Bangladeshi journalist. Syed is chief editor of Janomot and Curry Life Magazine. He writes for the biggest online news agency of Bangladesh bdnews24.com and is a founding member and former general secretary of London Bangla Press Club. He sits on the committee of the Commonwealth Journalists Association.

Nina is a freelance journalist and the main presenter of ITV London’s regional news programme London Tonight. She is a newscaster for ITV News and has presented all of ITN’s main bulletins, from the ITV Evening News to News at Ten.

News presenter and TV host for over 10 years on British television, Tasmin is a former BBC News and BBC Three presenter. She was also news anchor on ITV’s breakfast show Daybreak, and is the favoured host at a number of business awards and community events.

Ajmal currently presents his own programmes on Islam Channel and on Channel S. He is the ‘go to’ imam for a number of the mainstream media and has appeared on the BBC and Channel 4 commentating on social, political and religious issues.

1. Moorad Choudhury

Moorad is a highly-respected author, academic and market commentator, as head of treasury at RBS he is responsible for the management of capital, liquidity, foreign exchange and interest rate risk at the bank. His 2007 book ‘Bank Asset and Liability Management’ has become a definitive textbook for bankers. He is a regular media commentator on Bloomberg, in the FT and at industry events.

2. Sultan Choudhury

Sultan is a member of various Community and Government advisory groups and contributes significantly to the development of Islamic Financial Services in the UK. A Committee member of UKIFS (UK Islamic Finance Secretariat) a body which promotes the UK Islamic Finance industry he is responsible for the retail domestic market at IBB.

3. Sapnara Khatun

Sapnara is a family law barrister specialising in the law relating to children. She is recognised as a leading expert on forced marriage and assisted in drafting the Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007. She was appointed as a Recorder in 2006.

Akhlaq is a specialist in employment, business protection, and public and information law based at 11KBW chambers. He was appointed as a Recorder on the SE Circuit in 2009.

Shafi is the clinical lead for laparoscopic colorectal surgery at the Centre for Academic Surgery at The Bart’s and London hospital. He has established minimal invasive colorectal surgery within the trust. He is pioneering single incision laparoscopic colorectal surgery (virtual scarless surgery) and has set up iHealth which is a modern way of managing NHS patients.

Delwar practised as an architect for 15 years with top firms such as Foster & Partners and owns the Adrem Group, London’s leading architecture and design careers agency. He is a director of the dreamspace gallery and mentors children from minority ethnic backgrounds to steer them into higher education.

Akbor’s organisation provides 1100 homes in the Leeds area, he was appointed CEO in January 1999. Previously head of Finance at the City of Salford for the Community and Social Services Directorate. He has extensive experience in social, economic and physical regeneration.

Belayeth is a specialist in immigration law. He is the first British Bangladeshi appointed as an Immigration Judge. He is the principal of Zahra & co. and sits on the board of a number of voluntary organisations, including the Joint Council of Welfare for Immigrants (JCWI).

An admired Human Resources professional, Syed has held a number of high ranking positions with HSBC across the world including as Head of HR for HSBC Bangladesh.

Muhammed is Commercial Director at DMC Healthcare and
National Commissioning Champion at Royal College of General Practitioners, and Primary Care Lead at NHS Commissioning Support for London.

1. Dr Muhammad Abdul Bari MBE

Abdul Bari was Former Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain from 2006 until 2010. He is a Board member of LOCOG (the body which organises the London 2012 Olympics). He is also an Educationalist and author.

2. Sheikh Abdul Qayum

The Sheikh obtained his M.A in Arabic Language from the prestigious Muhammad Ibn Saud University, Riyadh. He is a former lecturer at the international Islamic University of Malaysia. Currently undertaking his Phd at SOAS, he is a patron of the Richard house children’s hospice and supports a number of charities.

3. Barrister Atur Rahman

Atur is current Chair of the Greater Sylhet Development and Welfare Council in the UK (GSC) and is a qualified Barrister. He is actively campaigning on the Stop Tipaimukah Dam campaign which is threatening severe environmental damage to the Sylhet region of Bangladesh.

Abu Taher is a prominent community activist and has edited or contributed to a number of Bengali newspapers and has presented programmes on Channel S. He has served on the committees of many leading community organisations and is the former chair of the Greater Sylhet Development Council.

A businessman and very prominent community activist. Nurul is the General Secretary of Bangladesh Welfare Association based in London it is one of the oldest Bangladeshi community organisations in the UK and General Secretary of the Kendriyo Ekushey Udjapan Committee (the 21st February language day massacre remembrance).

Mahmud Hassan is chair of a consortium which is a leading organisation focusing on developing and strengthening the infrastructure of the Bengali voluntary groups in the UK. He was awarded an MBE in 1999 for his services to community relations.

Abdur Rahman is Principal of Jamiatul Ummah Secondary School and sixth form, and presents weekly prime time show “Islam Essentials” on Channel S TV. He is also a respected Islamic scholar.

Moulana Shamsul is Chair of Council of Mosques in Tower Hamlets an umbrella body for 47 local mosques. He has with over 25 year’s experience of serving the community and is the leading figure in interfaith and community cohesion initiatives.

Sheikh Mahmadul Hassan holds a 1st Class MA and BA in Arabic and is currently studying for a PhD at the Institute of Education (University of London). He presents Jibon Jiggasha, an Islamic Q& A show on NTV Sky 834.

Hasnat is a respected community figure and academic. Convenor of the Voice for Justice World Forum, founding chair of Greater Sylhet Development Council. He is currently a Consultant for DfES Standard Unit UK. He was awarded an MBE in 2003 for services to education.