Secretary of State for International Development, Hilary Benn Wednesday praised the contributions made by British Muslims to create a more just society.

"Like all great faiths Islam urges its followers to create a more just society, and very generously British Muslims are playing their part by giving to good causes. “ Mr. Benn said at the seventh annual The Muslim News Awards for Excellence in London.

"The Muslim News Awards for Excellence celebrate the hard work and dedication of all those who are doing something practical to improve the lives of people in their community,” he said.

In his keynote speech at the event, the International Development Secretary extolled British Muslims as being “very generous” for donating to special causes.

“The UK is doing the same through its rising aid budget, as we help poor communities in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and in other countries around the world to be able to build a better life," he said.

The awards are designed to celebrate the achievements of both Muslims and non-Muslims in the British society. More than 700 guests will be attending the ceremony.

In a message to the Awards, Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown said every community should have within it role models for the younger generation to look up to and learn from, and that the event “is creating a much-needed source for this.”

“Acknowledging and celebrating individual achievement, as these Awards set out to do, is a great way of highlighting the immense contribution which Muslim people make across all walks of national life, to the benefit of society as a whole,” Opposition Leader, David Cameron also said.

Liberal Democrat Leader, Sir Menzies Campbell, said that the awards covered a range of area that underline “the wide and varied contribution that the Muslim community makes to life in Britain.”

Opening the awards ceremony, Ahmed J Versi, Editor of The Muslim News, and organizer of the Awards, said the annual event would accentuate “noteworthy achievement in the face of negative stereotyping.” If, he said, the “media image of our community is warped, we must do more than merely hope for a more wholesome picture to emerge. “

The ceremony is seen as an important highlight in the British-Muslim calendar. Members of all the different political groups have shown their support for the ceremony, while representatives for all walks of life are participating in attending.

“There are individuals and organisations striving to make a difference to the way in which we are viewed. These awards are one way to ensure that their contributions are not sidelined,” said Versi

He also spoke the awards impact on the younger generation and the importance of showcasing contributions and achievements. “Self-image means more to the younger members of the Muslim Community. Its impact on nurturing a healthy identity is as indisputable as the need for relevant role models.”

“If we fail to highlight what our community is accomplishing, we can be sure that others - for whom faith is academic, problematic, or irrelevant - will throw up less constructive, but seemingly attractive, alternatives. “

The ceremony brings together politicians, religious leaders, journalists, community activists along with representatives from the world of sport, culture, academia, amongst others.

http://www.muslimnews.co.uk/index/press.php?pr=241

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