Birmingham, UK - October 23, 2023 — The Hazara community came together on October 22, 2023, in a grand celebration of remarkable achievements and contributions at the Hazara Awards held in Birmingham. These awards serve as a platform to honor and celebrate the resilience, talents, and unwavering commitment of the Hazara community, who have faced historical persecution and discrimination.
In a glitzy event that saw distinguished guests and honorees from all walks of life, the Hazara Awards recognized the exceptional achievements in various categories, from Women of the Year to Entrepreneurs, Journalists, Sportspeople, Artists, Human Rights Defenders, Students, Academics, and Community Leaders. The awards showcased the diversity and extraordinary capabilities of the Hazara community, both in Afghanistan and the United Kingdom.
The evening was a true celebration of Hazara culture, featuring a delectable three-course meal inspired by the rich culinary traditions of the community. The menu, specially curated for the event, tantalized the taste buds of all attendees and added a vibrant cultural touch to the awards ceremony.
In addition to the mouthwatering dishes, the event featured captivating performances by renowned musicians who have played a crucial role in keeping Hazara culture alive. Rauf Sarkhosh, Elaha Soroor, and Asif Karimi took the stage, mesmerizing the audience with their soulful renditions of traditional Hazara songs. Their performances served as a reminder of the rich cultural heritage that the Hazara community has cherished and passed down through generations.
The Hazara Awards finalists were:
Woman of the Year:
Zahra Joya
Maryam Ataei
Kamila Mohammadi
Wida Yalaqi
Journalist of the Year:
Harun Najafizada
Massoud Malik
Alia Rajai
Moheb Modessir
Entrepreneur:
Shakardokht Jafari
Zia Ahmadi
Parasto Qalandari
Latifa Ahmadi
Sports Person of the Year:
Mohammad Yaqoubi "Warlord"
Fatema Painda
Abbas Alizadah
Mohammad Riza Safari
Artist of the Year:
Jawid Bakhshi
Orna Kazemi
Mohammad Sabir Sabir
Human Rights Defender:
James Ekin
Masuma Payamon
Under 18:
Zohra Ehsani
Moben Ehsani
Temor Baik Hijran
Community Leader:
Ayendah Sazan (Leeds)
Peterborough
Burton
Manchester
Academic of the Year:
Rabia Khan
Arif Sahar
Iftikhar Hussain Rezai
Student:
Rahmaan Mohammadi
Bismellah Alizadah
Khandan Danesh
Mhelai Hussain
The winners, who were truly inspirational, include:
- Orna Kazemi for Artist of the Year.
- Alia Rajai for Journalist of the Year.
- Shakardokht Jafari for Entrepreneur of the Year.
- Mohammad Riza Safari for Sports Person of the Year.
- Zahra Joya for Woman of the Year.
- James Ekin for Human Rights Defender of the Year.
- Zohra Ehsani in the Under 18 category.
- Ayendah Sazan in the Community of the Year category.
- Arif Sahar for Academic of the Year.
- Rahmaan Mohammadi in the Student category.
The Hazara Awards also featured a special recognition segment, where three remarkable individuals were celebrated for their outstanding contributions to the Hazara community. These exceptional individuals are:
Harun Najafizada
Asadullah Shefaei
Anne Norona
The Hazara Awards underscore the incredible journey and achievements of the Hazara community, and their significance in a world that values diversity, resilience, and unwavering dedication. These awards serve as a beacon of hope, encouraging future generations to overcome challenges and achieve greatness while celebrating their unique cultural heritage.
The event was further enriched by the presence of Haroon Yousufi, a gifted poet, who recited soul-stirring verses, and Kaisy Khademi, a professional British-Hazara boxer, who shared inspiring stories of resilience.
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