A Bradford center has been named Mosque of the Year at an awards ceremony in the UK.
Madinat Al Zahra, who has been working in Bradford for more than 20 years, received the award at The British Muslim Awards 2023 in Manchester.
The ceremony is an annual event that celebrates the achievements and contributions of Muslims in a variety of fields, from business and education to the arts and community service.
In its tenth year, Madinat Al Zahra beat nine other nominees to win the award on Friday 28 April.
Speaking to the Telegraph & Argus, the mosque’s head of administration, Huzaifa al-Yamani, said: “It is quite an achievement considering how many other mosques were in the running for the award.”
“There were around 400 people from across the UK in different areas. They had several categories celebrating the achievements of British Muslims.”
“Sometimes you don’t hear what other people are doing, so it was good to celebrate the achievements of British Muslims in the UK and what they have done for their communities.”
“To be nominated in one of the main categories was a huge deal.”
“Winning this award builds on the work we are doing in the community and with young people.”
The mosque is currently awaiting completion of a major project which will result in a building on Bartley Lane.
The new building will include an educational complex along with a large mosque, a community centre, a multi-purpose hall for sports and weddings, as well as commercial premises with a cafeteria and full-time boarding facilities.
Yemeni said: “Our project, the mosque school complex being built, is looking to future generations and what mosques should look like in the next 10 to 20 years.”
“We work with young and old people and provide women empowerment. All of them have played a very important role for us to win this award.
“It’s a huge deal for the community. We enjoy promoting Bradford as much as we can.”
