A Nottingham-based charity, Muslim Hands, has received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, which remains the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK. Muslim Hands was awarded this prestigious award for its commitment towards alleviating poverty and hunger, with its program such as The Open Kitchen that provides food to low-income families in Hounslow, London.
Working in over 30 countries worldwide, Muslim Hands was established in 1993 and works towards delivering relief from poverty, sickness, and hunger, as well as helping provide education to all regardless of religion, gender, or race.
Lakhte Hussanain, the Chairman for Muslim Hands, stated:
We are delighted to be honored and recognized for the work Muslim Hands staff and volunteers have achieved. For over 25 years we have remained committed towards supporting and empowering communities both globally and in the UK, over the long term. This award is a testament to how far we have come and we are dedicated to continuing the vital work that we do in collaboration with our volunteers who are the backbone of our organization.”
The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Services aims to recognize and support the outstanding work by volunteer groups across the UK. Created in 2002 in celebration of the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, the winners are announced every year on June 2nd, the anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation.
This year, Muslim Hands was one of 281 charities, voluntary groups, and social enterprises that received the award, with the number of recipients growing every year. The charities and voluntary groups awarded this year came from a diverse range of backgrounds, from mental health support networks to children and youth mentor groups to charities like Muslim Hands that work tirelessly toward alleviating poverty and hunger.
Muslim Hands will receive this prestigious award on the 26th of September from Sir John, Lord Lieutenant of Nottingham. In celebration of this momentous achievement, Maqsood Ahmed, the director for the Muslim Hands UK Community Welfare and Development program, stated:
This is a clear and well-deserved recognition of our work in the UK by our dedicated team and volunteers who have worked extremely hard to make a difference to the communities they serve. We are tremendously proud to be the recipient of such a prestigious award and hope to continue changing lives for the better.”
With the number of awards being distributed growing each year, its becoming clear that the volunteering sector is growing as well. Volunteers, who join a wide variety and number of different organizations across the country, are an inspiring reminder to us all about the importance of charity work, community outreach, and social integrity. Let’s hope the spirit of volunteering continues to grow in all of our communities!
To learn more about Muslim Hands, click here!
