Every October, Black Britons are given the green light to discuss race publicly, celebrate Black achievement loudly, and bring difficult topics to the table. However, for Black Muslims, existing within the intersections of minoritised groups, Black History Month doesn’t always draw the same invitation. Spaces to highlight Black Muslim identity can often be met with the question: is this celebration or segregation? 

On Saturday, I attended the 8th Black Muslim Awards (BMA) at the Saffron Gallery in East London. The guests came dressed for the red carpet with a purpose – celebrating the community’s trailblazers and unsung heroes. There was ample laughter, knowledge shared, and an impromptu matchmaking attempt on stage.

One of the most poignant moments of the evening was the winning speech of Kinsi Abdulleh, founder of Numbi Arts, who, after 30 years of community building, was yet to ever be recognised in this way. “This is one (award) that I will cherish,” she told the audience, “and my parents in their grave will be proud of me for.”

Before announcing the winner of the Malik El Shabazz award, actor and Islamic rap artist, Muslim Belal, said,

“this is my favourite event I’ve ever been to”, fortified by knowing he was “one of many” in that room, when in his work he is so frequently “one of few.” 

Despite the rising tension in the UK and salacious claims of the nation’s Islamification, Muslims remain a small minority of the population. Only 6% of people in Britain are Muslim, as recorded in the Census by the Muslim Council of Britain. Of that fractional group, only 11% of British Muslims are from a Black African, Caribbean or other Black background, with the majority being of South Asian heritage. 

Being a minority within a minority can mean experiencing prejudice from multiple communities at once and feeling a lack of belonging.

From a Muslim Census study, research shows 98% of British Muslims believe that racism exists within the UK Muslim community and 82% have witnessed anti-black racism from their own family and friends. The principles and teachings of Islam actively warn against racism. Unfortunately, the research shows prejudice is as prevalent in Muslim communities in the country as it is in wider British society. 

Six years on from the murder of George Floyd, and only two months in the wake of Dr Jason Arday’s tragic death, one would assume spaces for Black healing and joy no longer need justification. And yet, African and Caribbean people are still discouraged from drawing attention to racial issues.  

The awards have been met with some backlash, dubbing the initiative as divisive, even racist. The negative responses have not only come from non-Black Muslims, but also from some Black Muslims themselves, seeing the event as furthering disunity at a time where Muslims should be more united than ever. It strikes me as significant that events centring other Muslim communities do not receive the same critique, and are instead considered empowering, suggesting that the outrage stems from the effects of colonial influence and internalised anti-Blackness prevalent even amongst Muslims in Britain. Despite the scepticism, I see it as crucial that African and Caribbean Muslims continue to openly celebrate our community. 

The BMA is hosted by the African and African Caribbean Muslim Association with the aim of uplifting and congratulating Black Muslims for their contributions to research, sport, entertainment, activism and community. Support for the initiative has reached beyond the Black community and includes sponsorship from the Aziz Foundation, Human Appeal and Awra Invest. Among the nominees are scientists, poets, doctors, and a female funeral director. Similar to previous years, this year’s award winners also showcase a vast array of talent and impact – and shine an important light on the often overlooked successes within the Black Muslim community in the UK. 

The impact of Black Muslims at the local, national and even international levels is clear from the diverse award winners this year. 

Take the winner for Business Entrepreneur, Hands of Imaani, a fashion brand that raises funds for a soup kitchen in Croydon amongst other international projects. 

Or the winner in the Content Creator category, who is much more than a beauty influencer. As well as having won this year’s title, Zainab Hassan is also the founder of The Documented Life, a wellness brand and community platform centred around intentional living. 

Dr Saeed Oluwadipe gained the Special Recognition Award, a Chartered Environmentalist & Sustainability Practitioner and author with over 15 years of experience in environmental management, waste, recycling and sustainability.  His work includes helping mosques and Muslim charities become leaders in environmental stewardship.

Likewise, the winner of Charity of the Year was Let’s Make Noise, an organisation championing inclusion for children and young people with SEND, while also supporting mothers facing housing difficulties. 

The words of Khadijah Mellah, the first hijab-wearing jockey in a competitive British horse race and former BMA winner, perfectly illustrate the impact of the awards. “I’m so grateful for my Sports Advocate award and all the love from my community at the Black Muslim Awards. Together we can make mountains move. Being different isn’t a hindrance; it’s a new perspective brought by new, fresh talent. Our community has so much to offer, and we have the power to be exceptional.”

To accuse events like these of being more about division than inclusion is to do a real disservice to the way they celebrate and spotlight the crucial and life-changing work being done by Black Muslims facing a double marginalisation – both at the hands of the wider population and from fellow Muslims. 

The diversity of religion, age, race and cultural background in the audience of over 450 people at this year’s ceremony demonstrates how opportunities to celebrate and uplift each other can promote unity beyond racial divides and bring people together from all walks of life. Highlighting racial differences and identifying prejudices that already exist is not necessarily a call for segregation, but an occasion for everyone to learn, initiate dialogue and strengthen connections with one another. Not a shutting out, but a calling in, and a conviction that we don’t need to wait for the world to recognise, while there are so many who deserve their flowers today.

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References

• Muslim Census 
• MCB Study  – Striving for Fairness 
• Calls for Reflection After Professor Arday’s Death