Aliya Vaughn named 'Writer of the Year'

Now in its second year, the annual Muslim Writers Awards recognise the breadth and quality of literary talent within the UK’s Muslim community. This year it recognised the work of 26 writers across eight categories.

The awards are an initiative of Innovate Arts, a non-for-profit body, a “Community Interest Company” that nurtures and promote talent and addresses issues related to cohesion and the integration of all communities into mainstream British life. 
 
The initiative has received a phenomenal response from the  British Muslim community,the Prime Minister, local government and celebrity advocates like James Caan (Dragon’s Den).

The list of prominent guests at the glittering awards ceremony included Lord Ahmed, Respect Councillor Salma Yaqoob, Nighat Awan OBE, the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Baroness Sayeeda Warsi and guest of honour Jermaine Jackson.

Eight awards were handed out to deserving winners, following a review of 10,000 entries by a panel of independent judges. The ceremony was broadcast live to millions of viewers across the UK, Europe and the Middle East by Islam Channel. Jackson, who presented the prestigious 'Writer of the Year' award, delighted the audience during his televised interview by asking the host to refer to him by his chosen Muslim name of “Muhammad”.

Imran Akram, Head of Innovate Arts, commented: “The 10,000 submissions we received clearly demonstrate that British Muslims are passionate about creative expression. The nominees for each category represent the cream of British Muslim literary talent. However, the initiative has a wider objective than the awards themselves. We want to encourage talented British Muslims, of all ages and backgrounds, to develop their powers of creative expression. This is a vital tool for encouraging integration and cementing community cohesion.”

Winner of the prestigious “Writer of the Year 2008” Award was 38-year old Aliya Vaughan from Brixton in London. She was also the recipient of the Best Children’s story Award.

While the “Published Writer of the Year 2008” was former Guantanamo detainee, and Birmingham bookstore owner, Moazzem Beg. Beg gave a powerful acceptance speech recalling how faith and prayer strengthened the bond between the “Enemy Combatants” during the abuse and humiliation meted out by their captors.



Awards Categories and Winners

NON FICTION AWARD
(sponsored by Yorkshire Bank)
Shelina Zahra Janmohamed (Age: 33) London

SHORT STORY AWARD
(sponsored by Dept. for Communities and Local Government)
Kashif Choudry (Age: 28) Solihull, West Midlands

NOVEL AWARD
(sponsored by Radisson SAS)
Fatima Martin (Age: 49) Woking, Surrey

POETRY AWARD
(sponsored by Birmingham City Council)
Shameam Akhtar (Age 38) Bradford

UNDER 16’s AWARD
(sponsored by Islam Channel)
Humaira Rashid (Age: 16) Dewsbury, West Yorkshire

BEST CHILDREN’S STORY AWARD
(sponsored by Muslim Hands)
Aliya Vaughan (Age: 37) Brixton Hill, London

PUBLISHED WRITER AWARD
Moazzem Beg, from Birmingham

WRITER OF THE YEAR AWARD
Aliya Vaughan (Age: 37) Brixton Hill, London

Further information about the Awards can be found at www.muslimwritersawards.co.uk .