The Judges Panel for 3rd Beacon Mosque Awards 2020

We have a dedicated Judges Panel to help select the winners of the Beacon Mosque Awards. Our panel has a vast amount of experience in the Mosque area, which will help to provide a balanced and different perspective and opinions on selecting the winners. The judges will be assessing evidence of work from the Mosque, through open-source checks on websites, social media, press as well as looking at the polling numbers to see the public view.

Saleha Islam

Saleha Islam is a trained Muslim counsellor, who was the first woman to manage an established British Islamic centre in London, as well as being the former Regional Director in London for the charity Penny Appeal. She has over 25 years of experience working in social services and supporting those in need in the Muslim community. She has also been a trustee of a Mosque and other charities. 

Dr Mahmood Chandia

Dr Chandia is currently a senior lecturer at the University of Central Lancashire. Mahmood Chandia has a rich academic background having attended a diverse range of Institutions. After memorising the Quran, Mahmood pursued Islamic and Arabic Language Studies at a traditional Muslim Institute of Learning in (Bury Darulloom) England.  This was followed by undergraduate studies leading to a Batchelor of Arts in Islamic Studies from the renowned Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt.  Mahmood then progressed to Post-graduate studies leading to a Master of Arts (1992) and Ph.D in Middle Eastern Studies (1999), at the University of Manchester, England.  He is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. He has translated the Quran into Urdu and lectures widely. 

Yasin Rahim

Yasin Rahim is trained as a pharmacist.  He also has an MBA and a Master in Economics and Quantitative Methods. He had an opportunity to serve as the Secretary of Wessex Jamaat,  the Secretary-General of the Council of European Jamaats and the  Secretary-General of The World Federation of Khoja Shia Ithnaasheri Muslim Communities. Has been a lead consultant to MINAB and provided support to many charities, his passion is in community capacity building.

Shaykh Ahmed Babikir

Sheikh Babikir is the Director and Founder of Rumi’s Cave, a vibrant community hub in North-West London, as well as Ulfa Aid, a global humanitarian relief charity. Upon arriving in Britain in 1977, Sheikh Babikir has been working hard to promote Islam’s spiritual message in the UK. He began organising programs at London Central Mosque in Regent’s Park, and in Muslim Welfare House in North London, where he first met His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. He completed a B.Ed degree in Mathematics at Greenwich University as well as a Certificate in Personnel Management and Diploma in Administrative Management. Up until recently Sheikh Babikir was working as the Imam and spiritual director at the Islamia Schools Centre, founded by Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens) in 1983. Whilst there, he provided teacher training and assisted in educational workshops and conferences. He has played a role in building many Mosques in the UK and has been a prolific fundraiser for them.

Sahar Zahid

Sahar Zahid is an experienced teacher with a demonstrated history of working in both the state and independent sector. She has a strong education professional background with a Masters degree focused in MA Education and a Middle Leadership Qualification in whole school pedagogy. She is a specialist experienced in mentoring and coaching beginner teachers and best practices in teaching and learning. Sahar has been the main Chairperson for Moroccon Youth UK for over 13 years, providing impactful educational programmes in London. She has been a trustee of a major mosque in London and ultimately becoming its chairperson, hence extensive experience in running the mosque institution.