Winners ranged across many business sectors from fashion to investment, travel to real estate, taking in businesses of all sizes. They proved a huge success in bringing together the community, showcasing the contribution of Muslim business to the UK economy and providing positive role models for the next generation of entrepreneurs.
For the second year running, the awards ceremony will be hosted by BBC London’s Asad Ahmad. He said: “I am glad to support the Islam Channel Business Awards, which recognise leading Muslim businesses serving Britain. Their contribution is invaluable, employing millions of people and generating billions of pounds for the UK economy."
Islam is the second largest religion in the UK and according to the Muslim Council of Britain’s 2013 report, ‘The Muslim Pound’, some 33% of all small to medium-sized enterprises in London are Muslim-owned, a figure which is likely to have risen in the interim. Many of the concerns which Muslim businesses address, such as ethical investment, ethical food supply and production, social accountability, modest clothing and alcohol-free beverages have now become mainstream. With its diverse Muslim population and multicultural outlook, the UK has become the centre of many sectors of the Islamic economy including finance, travel and fashion.
The judging panel is made up of senior community and business figures, which includes the Rt. Hon.
Stephen Timms MP, Rimla Akhtar MBE, Adam Ebrahim, Haroon Sheikh OBE and Dr. Ahmed Makhdoom. Thereare17categoriesofawardandtheshortlistedfinalistswillbeinvitedtoattend the awards ceremony, where the winners will be announced. The ceremony will take place on 27th March at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House in Mayfair. It will be attended by over 1,000 prominent members of the British business and professional communities including MPs and Ambassadors.
Islam Channel’s Chairman, Mohamed Ali Harrath, explains the vision behind the Business Awards: "Today, the global Islamic economy is large and growing rapidly. The industry was estimated to be worth $2.2 trillion in 2018 and is projected to be worth $3.2 trillion by 2024 . The UK is playing an important role in the development of this exciting industry and is home to many emerging Muslim owned and Muslim-oriented businesses. The British Muslim population has a young demographic that is increasingly highly educated and affluent. British Muslim businesses are making a significant contribution to the UK economy and by extension the social, political and cultural landscape of Britain. The Islam Channel Business Awards 2020 are our way of recognising and celebrating their achievements and bringing them to the attention of a wider audience." Islam Channel is delighted to announce that the following companies and individuals have been shortlisted as finalists:
Start-up Business of the Year
Balance Innovations Bee & Humble Business Decoded Limited Islamicfinanceguru.com Niyah You Vs You Ltd Family Business of the Year Dar al Taqwa CK Foods The Craft Studio Crep Protect MBU CapitalMicro Business of the Year
Muslim InstaShop Expo Mini Muslims Mubarak London Personal Match GSV Sports managementSmall Business of the Year
Artz-i Aynam Energy Kazient Privacy Experts Scent Salim The Craft Studio London Tea ExchangeMedium-sized Business of the Year
HalalBooking Crep Protect Dentistry For You WBYS CK Foods ProcessingTechnology Business of the Year
Ibadah London Muzmatch Wahed Invest Halalbooking MuslimaFood & Beverage Business of the Year
Halal Street UK CK Foods Processing Shola Kitchen London Tea Exchange The Halal GuysTravel & Tourism Business of the Year
Al-Hidaayah Travel Ltd Al-Hijaz Dar El Salam Dome Tours Sadat Hajj & UmrahProfessional Services Business of the Year
Kazient Privacy Experts Gateway Global LLP IFAAS Qazi Investments Baraka TranslationsFashion Business of the Year
Neish Clothing Sanzaa Fashion Islamic Design House For Her Ltd Rania zara studioBusinessman of the Year
Dr Esmail Harunani (Dentistry For You) Jamal Ahmed (Kazient Privacy Experts) Younis Chaudhry (Regal Food Products) AbdulMaalik Tailor (Halal Tourism Britain) Mohammed Rasul (Artz I)Businesswoman of the Year
Farzana Rahman (Desi Doll Company) Sadia Irfan (Ilmspired) Nayer Khan Farrukh (Gemimas Diamond Jewellery) Safiyyah Henderson (Atheleas Daughters Training Club) Farrah Azam (Farrah Azam)Financial Services Business of the Year
Wahed invest Gateway Global LLP Qardus Ltd Niyah Simply Ethical Financial ServicesReal Estate Business of the Year
CPIC Yielders UneekHomes Stroll Property Ltd Qazi InvestmentsCommunity Business of the Year
Al Isharah Pixeleyed Pictures Ansar Finance Group Grace & Poise Academy Islamic GPSWinners in two other categories will be awarded on the night, chosen by the judging panel and the Chairman of Islam Channel, respectively. These are: Lifetime Achievement in Business Award and Islam Channel Chairman Award – Business of the Year.