Harris Bokhari wins Faith and Belief Forum’s inspirational individual award

Awards, Interfaith 2 Minutes

Original article published on 27 November 2018

Harris Bokhari wins Faith and Belief Forum’s inspirational individual award for services to and for faith and belief communties in London – making a lasting contribution to the life of our city

Londoners working to serve their communities and bring people from different backgrounds together were recognised at the London Faith & Belief Community Awards on Tuesday 27 November. 40 projects run by individuals and organisations, inspired by their faiths or beliefs to make a difference, were given awards for their work in areas ranging from inspiring youth and wellbeing to interfaith relations and inclusion.

The Awards are an initiative of the Faith & Belief Forum, supported by Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Greater London’s Council on Faith. The Awards aim to shine a light on the great work done by ordinary people to make London a city where everyone belongs and feels welcome – work that often goes unrecognised. Each winning project is given £500 to further their work.

The award ceremony at the Royal Society of Medicine brought together organisations and individuals from across London who work tirelessly in their local communities for harmony and inclusion. In addition to the 40 projects given awards, the achievements of several inspiring individuals were recognised, and the great work of a further 66 projects highlighted.

Phil Champain, the Director of the Faith & Belief Forum:

“If we are to truly extend the benefits of our city to all, then we need to ensure that all Londoners get fair access to services, we need to alleviate deprivation, reduce social tension and promote inclusion. The fact that so many relatively small and modest organisations made up of people of different faiths and non-religious beliefs collaborate to achieve these aims gives hope and inspiration.”

Dr David Dangoor DL, Chair of Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London’s Council on Faith:

“The London Faith & Belief Community Awards is a wonderful demonstration of what people motivated by their faith or belief can achieve for this city. By shining a light on their work, this event promotes and connects the unsung heroes of London’s faith and belief communities. This event also gives them access to further support which may enhance their work and inspire others to take action.”

Published by Harris Bokhari OBE

Harris is board member for the Prince's Trust Mosaic initiative. He was appointed as Mosaic’s first honorary patron and was awarded the prestigious Beacon Award for Philanthropy Advocate 2013 for raising £1m within 12 months for various charities working in deprived communities in the UK, becoming the youngest and first Muslim to receive this honour. He now serves as a judge for the awards. Harris is the co-founder of the Naz Legacy Foundation, which aims to enhance educational excellence and positive integration. It was established in memory of his late father, Naz Bokhari OBE, the first Asian/Muslim head teacher in the UK. The Foundation was honoured to be awarded the Big Society Award 2014 by the Prime Minister. Harris is also an ambassador for the British Asian Trust. Harris’s interfaith work has included organising the first ever engagement event between national community, women and youth leaders from the Jewish and Muslim communities meeting with the new Chief Rabbi in Finchley Kinloss Synagogue. Harris was one of the first Muslims to be invited to the Chief Rabbi’s installation ceremony and was selected to be an Ariane De Rothschild fellow, in partnership with Cambridge University’s Judge Business School and King’s College. Harris also organised the first youth interfaith iftar at Lambeth Palace, which brought together the Archbishop of Canterbury, Chief Rabbi, Mayor of London and over 100 youth leaders from each of London’s boroughs – representing all faiths and none. Harris was awarded an OBE in Her Majesty’s Birthday Honours List for services for young people and interfaith relations; named as one of 40 people in finance who goes further for good causes by Financial News Extra Mile List; and named as one of London’s most influential figures by the Evening Standard’s Progress 1000 list.

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