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The British Muslim Awards 2017 Asalaam Alaikum The British Muslim Awards presented by Al Rayan Bank, aim to acknowledge and honour the determination, hard work and personal achievements of British Muslims at the forefront of their industries. Now in their 5th year we are coming together again to celebrate and honour the brightest and recognise a wide range of achievements. The British Muslim Awards will recognise a wide range of achievements which cover various aspects of society including business, charity, sport, arts and culture and much more. The awards will be a celebration, reflecting upon the role that Britain’s Muslims have in society. The evening will comprise of a drinks reception, followed by a sumptuous dinner, entertainment, speeches by respected dignitaries and the awards. The awards are organised by Oceanic Consulting although we started life in Glasgow we now deliver events all over the UK promoting diversity and celebrating success. The other awards we now organise include: • • • • • • •
The British Indian Awards – Leicester The British Asian Wedding Awards – London The English Asian Business Awards – Manchester The London Asian Business Awards The Scottish Asian Business Awards – Glasgow The English Curry Awards – Manchester The Scottish Curry Awards – Glasgow
Maira Ahmad
Maira Ahmad Campaigns Executive Oceanic Consulting EVENT EDITION 2017 WWW.THEDIVERSITYAWARDS.INFO
presents
Event Programme 6 - 6:30pm
Drinks Reception
7:00pm
The evening commences with a welcome from your hosts, Inayat Kanji & Samina Kiyani for the 5th Annual British Muslim Awards.
7:10pm
Key note speeches & an introduction from CEO Irfan Younis and to our Official Sponsor Al Rayan Bank
7:20pm
The Awards begin
8:10pm
Speech from our official charity partner, National Zakat Foundation.
8:20pm
Starters are served by our Official Caterers for the event, Saffron Events UK
8:30pm
The Awards continue...
9:30pm
Dinner is served by our Official Caterers for the event, Saffron Events UK
10:20pm
Charity Prize Draw
10:30pm
Desserts are served by our Official Caterers for the event, Saffron Events UK
10:45pm
Evening comes to an end
Hosts: Inayat Kanji & Samina Kiyani Speakers: Irfan Younis (Founder of The British Muslim Business Awards & CEO of Oceanic Consulting) Prayer from Iman Asif Hafiz Keith Leach (CCO of Al Rayan Bank)
EVENT EDITION 2017 WWW.THEDIVERSITYAWARDS.INFO
presents
FINALIST 2017 Young Achiever of the Year
Muzdalfa Ahmed (The UK Youth Parliament, Leeds) Mohammed Usman Shah (Tideway/Diversity Hut, London) Muhbeen Hussain (British Muslim Youth, Rotherham) Nazia Hassan (Disaster Emergency Committee, London) Shaheen Mohammed (Al Mamum, London) Faheem Ahmed (NHS England, London) Ibrar Hussain (Bradford Central Lions Club, Bradford) Waheed Mohammed Ibrar (Waheed Aesthetic, Birmingham)
Community Organisation
Mile End Community Project (London) Aberdeen Muslims (Aberdeen) Innovate Walsall CIC (Walsall) Al Isharah (London) London Tigers (London) Hamara Bringing Communities Together (Leeds) Cricket Beyond the Boundary Line (Bradford)
EVENT EDITION 2017 WWW.THEDIVERSITYAWARDS.INFO
presents
FINALIST 2017 Arts & Culture Awareness
Muslim Institute (London) Maaida Noor (Surrey) Jameel Gallery of Islamic Art (V&A Museum, London) Muslim Lifestyle Expo (Ailesbury/Birmingham) Hasret Brown (Birmingham) Jay Islaam (Birmingham) Exhibition Islam (Slough) Sheila Na’imah Nortley (London) Foysol Uddin (Al Kaatib Calligraphy, Burnley)
Diversity Champion of the Year Mosaic (London/Birmingham) Sodexho Ltd (London) The Co-op (Manchester) HSBC (London) The Guardian (London) Barclays Bank (London) IBM CIC (Portsmouth/Hampshire) DLA Piper Global Law Firm (London) NHS (Leeds) Tesco (Edinburgh)
EVENT EDITION 2017 WWW.THEDIVERSITYAWARDS.INFO
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FINALIST 2017 Charity of the Year
Faith Matters (London) Penny Appeal (Wakefield) Orphans in Needs (Bradford) Human Appeal (Manchester) Muslim Aid (London) Muslim Hands (Nottingham) Muslim Charity (Nottinghamshire) Ummah Welfare Trust (Bolton) Amir Khan Foundation (Bolton) Read Foundation (Manchester)
Muslim in the Community
Sajid Rashid BEM (Rolls Royce Plc, Burton-on-Trent) Emdad Rahman (Stepney Football Club, London) Mohammed Zafran (All for Youth & Community, Birmingham) Haroon Mota (Penny Appeal, Coventry) Yasmin Mohammed Farooq Nathani (Shama Women’s Centre, Leicester) Fayyaz Ahmed (Fishwick Rangers, Preston)
Best at Sport
Qasim Niaz (Professional Boxer, Blackburn) Amna Rafiq (Leicestershire County Cricket Club, Leicestershire) Lutalo Muhammed (GB Taekwondo, Manchester) Ruqsana Begum (Kickboxer, London)
EVENT EDITION 2017 WWW.THEDIVERSITYAWARDS.INFO
presents
FINALIST 2017 Mohammed Sbihi (Rowing, London) Qais Ashfaq (Boxing, Leeds) Muhammed Ali (Boxing, London) Haseeb Hameed (Lancashire County Cricket Club, Bolton) Aadil Ali (Leicester Cricket Club, Leicestershire) Saqib Mahmood (Lancashire County Cricket Club, Manchester)
Rising Star of the Year
Husen Essa (Search Quest Europe Ltd, Lancaster) Khalid Aziz (Lycamobile, London) Nadeem Haq (Hudson Global Resources, Glasgow) Nadia Rasul (Pathway Group/Pathway to Group, Birmingham) Nadine Khan (Discover Dubai, London) Zahara Malik (Invest Africa, London) Naveed Iqbal (Risk Reward – Islamic Finance, London) Fawad Hussain (RBS, London)
Dr Abbas Khan Services to Medicine Award
Dr Salman Malik (Museum Dental Suits, London) Dr Saqib Anwar (NHS England – Central Midlands, Leicestershire) Dr Na’eem Ahmed (St George’s University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London) Sultan Hassan (Elite Surgical Care Group, Birmingham) Dr Hina Shahid (Muslim Doctors Association, London) Dr Robina Shah (University of Manchester - Division of Medical Education, Manchester)
EVENT EDITION 2017 WWW.THEDIVERSITYAWARDS.INFO
presents
FINALIST 2017 Dr Natasha Abdul Aziz (Muslim Doctors Association, Oxford) Dr Hamida Syed (Ridgacre Medical Centres), Birmingham) Rozina Ali (Rozina Ali, Bradford)
Services to Media
Aziz Rashid (BBC North West, Salford) Nasreen Ahmed (Script Editor – BBC Doctors, Birmingham) Osama Saeed Bhutta (Amnesty International, London) Rahila Bano (BBC News, Salford) Shabnam Mahmood (BBC News, London) Saima Ajram (BBC, London) Ahmed Hussain (BBC, London)
Services to Education
Monira Ahmed (University of Central Lancashire, Preston) Dr Islam Issa (Birmingham City University, Birmingham) Dr Ahmad Al Dubayan (Islam Culture Centre, London) Prof Muhammed Abdel Haleem (University of London, London) Iffat Hameed (King Edward School, Sheffield) Prof Shaykh Abdul Mabud (Muslim College, London) Prof Sara Ahmed (Goldsmith’s University, London) Dr Fauzia Ahmad (University College London, London) Idrish Patel (Bolton Muslim Girls School, Bolton)
EVENT EDITION 2017 WWW.THEDIVERSITYAWARDS.INFO
presents
FINALIST 2017 Services to Science & Engineering
Ehsan Masood (Imperial College London, London) Dr Nasar Ali (The Nanosmat Society, Manchester) Dr Kal Karim (University of Leicester, Cambridge) Prof Waqar Ahmed (University of Central Lancashire, Preston) Fazlun Khalid (The Islamic Foundation for Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Birmingham) Shoaib Awan (Jaguar Land Rover, Coventry) Jim Al-Khalili (University of Surrey, Surrey) Prof Salim Al-Hassani (FSTC, Manchester) Jawed Siddique (Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield) Dr Bushra Al Duri (University of Birmingham, Birmingham)
Services to Law
Saghir Munir (Baker & Coleman Solicitors, Manchester) Yasmin Waljee (Hogan Lovells, London) Sarah Khan-Bashir (Shire Solicitors, Bradford) Attiq Malik (Liberty Law Solicitors, Luton) Syed Talha Rafique (Duncan Lewis Solicitors, London) Ismet Rawat (Association of Muslim Lawyers, London) Sabah Al-Mukhtar (Arab Lawyers Network, London) Rashid Majid (Khan Solicitors, Sheffield) Basharat Ali (Schofield Sweeney, Huddersfield)
EVENT EDITION 2017 WWW.THEDIVERSITYAWARDS.INFO
presents
FINALIST 2017 Services to Creativity & Technology
Hadiya’s Natural Essence (London) Hussain Architectural Design (Manchester) MyMuslimMall.com (Oldham) Amazing Publishing (London) Hasan Faridi (Human Relief Foundation/Yorkshire Standard, Halifax/Bradford) Ibrahim Rahman (Perfect Publishers Ltd, Cambridge) Safwan Ahmedmia (Supersaf, Leicester) Khalidscope Services (Cheadle) Mubarak London Ltd (London) HalalEat.com (London)
Services to Civil/Third Sector
Na’eem Raza (Human Appeal, Glasgow/London) Waheed Saleem (WM Police and Crime Commission, Birmingham) Dr Syed Nayyer Abidi MBE (Health Awareness Trust UK, Manchester) Abid Hussain (Arts Council England, Birmingham) Bashir Ahmed (Canal & River Trust, West Midlands) Majid Hussain (Clinical Commissioning Group, Oldham) Mohammed Ansar (Charity, Watford) Nurjahan Khatun (Department of Transport/HS2, London) Adbullah Rehman (Balsall Health Forum, Birmingham)
EVENT EDITION 2017 WWW.THEDIVERSITYAWARDS.INFO
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FINALIST 2017 Services to Accounting
Asim Siddiqui (ICBC London, London) Mohammed Haque (MAH, Chartered Accountants, London) Adnan Sajid (Menzies LLP, London) Osman Gondal (Goldsmith Accountants, Bradford) Abu Ali (Baldwins Corporate Finance, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne)
Uniform Services of the Year
Farooq Hassan (MET Police, Hammersmith & Fulham) Bas Javid (West Midlands Police, Solihull) Read Admiral Amjad Hussain (Royal Navy, London) Amar Shakoor (Police Scotland, East Kilbride) Asad Razzaq (West Yorkshire Police, Leeds) Major Naveed Muhammed MBE (Army, Birmingham) Major Mohammed (Army)
Entrepreneur of the Year
Nabeel Sharriff (Serendipity Tailormade, Bornewood) Isa Mutlib (Pathway Group, Birmingham) Abdul Shakur (Creative Arrow Recruitment, London) Amar Bhatti (Baker Reign Solicitors, Bradford) Asif Timol (Momentum Legal Ltd/Room Four Desserts Ltd, Bolton/Preston) Ayesha Ziya (Ayesha Ziya Fragrances, Leicester) Faisal Hussain (Shimla Spice Restaurants, Shipley/Bradford) Kazi Mohammed Shafiqur Rahman (Firnas Airways, London)
EVENT EDITION 2017 WWW.THEDIVERSITYAWARDS.INFO
presents
FINALIST 2017 Shahzad Younas (Muzmatch, London) Karima Bihaki (Book Halal Homes/Islamic Market Consultancy, London)
Businessman of the Year
Touker Suleyman (Low Profile, London) Zia Mallick (Gambit Interactive Media, South Kensington) Atif Kamran (Learning Enterprise Org Ltd, Oxford) Omar Bhamji (CK Foods, Bradford) Shabir Hussain (Akbars, Bradford) Shahid Sheikh (Clifton Packaging Group Ltd, Leicester) Shez Cheema (PMGC, London) Asif Majid (Yu Spaces, London) Asif Rangoonwala (South Street Asset Management, London) Azhar Hussain (Hanhaa, London)
Businesswoman of the Year
Wasfi Kani (Grange Park Opera, London) Mushall Khan (Caretech, Warrington) Sumaira Farrukh (BTM Global/Noor TV, Birmingham) Dr Laura Zahra McDonald (Connect Futures, Birmingham) Naheed Afzal (Contracts IT, London) Subrina Hussain (NTV, London) Tasmin Lucia Khan (Film Producer, TV Personality, CEO, London) Shazda Ahmed (Monarch Solicitors, Manchester) Afsheen Kabir Rashid (Repowering London, London)
EVENT EDITION 2017 WWW.THEDIVERSITYAWARDS.INFO
presents
FINALIST 2017 Family Run Business of the Year HK Foods Ltd (Bilston) Aziz Butchers Equipment (London) My Pure Trip Ltd (Birmingham) Tubzee Ltd (Halifax) Prima Cheese (Durham) East Z East (Manchester) The Muslim Sticker Company (Newton)
Business of the Year
Kingsland Business Recovery (Bradford) Riverdale Insurance (Birmingham) Aftabs (Birmingham) Smart Vehicle Options (Bradford) Northern Halal Meat & Poultry (Leeds) Ambala Foods Limited (Welwyn Garden City) Nafees Bakers (Bradford) Singlemuslim.com (Wakefield) Express Cuisine (Bolton) Creams (London)
EVENT EDITION 2017 WWW.THEDIVERSITYAWARDS.INFO
presents
FINALIST 2017 Power Business of the Year
Regal Foods Products Group Plc (Bradford) Wakelet (Manchester) Kashmir Crown Bakeries (Bradford) Tariq Halal Meats (London) KQF (Blackburn) Shazans Foods Limited (Preston) Goldfayre Trading (Manchester)
Leaders in Finance
Dr Nasir Ahmed (Blackrock, London) Armoghan Mohammed (PwC, London) Umar Khan (Pure Collection, Bradford) Saker Nusseibeh (Hermes, London) Shabir Randeree (DCD Group, London) Nemat Shafiq (Bank of England, London) Ashraf Piranie (Nottingham Building Society, Nottingham)
EVENT EDITION 2017 WWW.THEDIVERSITYAWARDS.INFO
presents
FINALIST 2017 Religious Advocate of the Year
Sheikh Bilal Khan (Dome Advisory, London) Imam Sohayb Peerbhai (Cravenarms Islamic Centre, Cravenarms) Shaykh Mohammed Roziur Rahman (The Muslim Initiative, Newcastle-upon-Tyne) Shaykh Shams Ad-duha Muhammed (Ebrahim College) Dr Ali-Reza Bhojani (Al Mahdi Institute, Birmingham) Shaykh Amer Jamil/Shaykh Ruzwan Mohammed (Isyllabus, Glasgow) Dr Mohammed Ali Shomali (Islamic Centre, London) Dr Shuruq Naguib (Lancaster Univeristy, Lancaster)
The Noor Inayat Khan Muslim Woman of the Year Award Ayesha Aslam (Sakoon Counselling Services, London) Dr Shameela Islam-Zulfiqar (Asian Creations, Manchester) Zlakha Ahmed (Apna Haq, Rotherham) Gulnaz Brennan (Chai Times, Bolton) Nazia Khatun (Fitness Reborn UK, London) Nazmin Akhtar-Sheikh (Muslim Woman’s Network UK, Birmingham) Asma Ali (Scottish Police Muslim Association, Glasgow) Ruksana Shain (Healthy Kitchen TV Show, Birmingham) Saddia Khalique (Lebara, London) Sadja Mughal (JAN Trust, London)
EVENT EDITION 2017 WWW.THEDIVERSITYAWARDS.INFO
presents
FINALIST 2017 Spirit of Britain
Gardens of Peace (Heinault) Rochdale Asia FC (Rochdale) Stories of Sacrifice (British Muslim Heritage Centre, Manchester) Haloodies (London) Mohammed Ali (Soul City Arts, Birmingham) Jewel Miah (Loughborough) Natasha Syed (Syed PR & Publishing and Chelsea Magazines, London)
EVENT EDITION 2017 WWW.THEDIVERSITYAWARDS.INFO
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multi-award winning newspaper Bringing You news since 2002
Promoting Education Diversity and Integration THE ASIAN TODAY - A MULTI-AWARD WINNING NEWSPAPER The Asian Today is a multi-award winning newspaper which is available FREE throughout the Midlands. Over the last 15 years, it has brought to the forefront important issues and vital matters affecting the Asian community. Educating the community and eradicating misconceptions, the newspaper is a platform for promoting the best of the British Asian community by highlighting the achievements of individuals and celebrating our diverse community. MONTHLY
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JANUARY 2016 ISSUE No.206
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MONTHLY
DESI
DECEMBER 2015 ISSUE No.205
Juggy D Back on Track - pg 24
ACHANAK
www.theasiantoday.com
GAME SET AND NACH
YOUR MONTHLY SHOWBIZ FIX!
The album reflects the live element of the band and takes into account the response to live gigs from Madrid to Barcelona to Munich.
BLOCKBUSTER
T
he year 2016 sees the launch of the 13th studio album from the 6 piece bhangra band – Achanak. Having taken 5 years to produce the band readily admits that it is relieved that they have finally managed to complete it. ‘The process has been very intensive – trying to fit in recording the album whilst touring. We have also had to endure the highs and lows of the creative process as we have refined and in some instances dropped completed tracks because we were not happy with the final product’ admits Vijay the lead singer of the band. The 14 track album includes a couple of revamps from the back catalogue ‘ largely because the non Asian audience that we typically perform in front of us demanded these tracks on a record. Having witnessed the power of a live bhangra performance, the audience were simply adamant that we duplicate the track on to a record ‘ explains Ninder Johal who not only is the table player for the band but also operates as a manager and its record company – the long established Nachural Records. What make this album different from the market place ? ‘The album reflects the live element of the band and takes
into account the response to live gigs from Madrid to Barcelona to Munich. The album also allowed me the opportunity to produce 6 tracks on the album for me, it was a fantastic experience’ details Amar Johal the 21year old Dhol player who is multi talented having fine tuned his production skills over the duration of the album. Incidentally he is also the son of Ninder Johal. ‘ Hopefully I was able to inject some modernity to the production because of my age and builds on the experience I have gained since I started performing with the band from the age of 10’. ‘Of course it was a risk not going to an established producer for the entire album but we were confident of our production skills and more importantly only we had the experience of what the crowds enjoyed about the Achanak performance’ beams Ninder. ‘The album as a result has elements of most genres from dance, hip hop, rock and electronic dance music…it is certainly an electic feel to it…. we certainly hope the fans enjoy what we have to offer’ promises Ninder ‘ and of course since it is an album rather than a single we believe that in itself is a key differentaitor’.
HONOURED GOSSIP • INTERVIEWS • MUSIC • MOVIES - & MUCH MORE! TURN TO PAGES 23 - 27
BIRMINGHAM BOYS BRING IT HOME! A
5.7% from ethnic minority backgrounds recognised 1,196 individuals honoured with a title
s 2015 drew to a close, with remnants of Christmas cheer still lingering in the air for some, there remained some surprises still under wraps for a fated few. On the penultimate day of December, the New Year’s Honours List for 2016 was revealed and selected from the ranks of over one thousand altruistic and entrepreneurial men and women were not one, not two, no, nor even three, but FOUR individuals flying the flag for Britain’s second city. Powerhouses in business and community work in their own right, Nasir Awan, Aftab Chughtai, Abdullah Rehman and Habib Rehman, all from Birmingham, were recognised in the prestigious list. Nasir Awan, chief executive of Awan Marketing International plc, was bestowed with the Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) title for Services to Business and International Trade. Joining him in receiving an MBE was Aftab Chughtai, a Chair of the West Midlands Police Independent Advisory Group, who also runs a department store based in East Birmingham specialising in baby products, having been awarded the title for Services to Business and Community Relations in Birmingham. Abdullah Rehman, a founding member of the Balsall Heath Forum, also received an MBE honours in recognition of his Services to the Community in Balsall Heath. Local business owner Habib Rehman was also honoured in the list, receiving a British Empire Medal (BEM) for Services to Business and Community relations in Birmingham. Humbled and privileged to be amongst those who Continued on Page 7
48% of those awarded are female
76% recognised for services to their communities
MONTHLY
2015 A YEAR IN REVIEW
SHAHRUKH KHAN • KAJOL • KRITI SANAN • VARUN DHAWAN
EXCLUSIVE CAST INTERVIEWS INSIDE
PROMOTING EDUCATION, DIVERSITY & INTEGRATION
YOUR MONTHLY SHOWBIZ FIX! GOSSIP • INTERVIEWS • MUSIC • MOVIES - & MUCH MORE! TURN TO PAGES 23 - 27
Set to be the biggest Bollywood hit of the year, it’s no surprise that Dilwale has audiences waiting in eager anticipation for its world-wide release. Packed with action and a star studded cast, it’s easy to see why Dilwale is the movie everyone’s talking about! The up-and-coming hit sees Bollywood’s beloved duo Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol rekindle their renowned chemistry five years after My Name is Khan and an unbelievable twenty-two years after their first hit together, the1993 film Baazigar. According to Khan, he says it’s down to their enduring friendship and the love of the audience. "We started off together and that has a huge place in our hearts. We can joke, we can laugh about each other and we can also be very serious about the work we do.
F
MONTHLY
MULTI AWARD WINNING
TO INFINITY
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t was once the world's largest-known diamond, is worth a reported £100m and is currently part of British crown jewels. But now, India wants it back. Combining in their efforts, Bollywood stars and businessmen have united to instruct lawyers to begin legal proceedings in London’s High Court to return the Koh-i-Noor diamond. The diamond which was in the crown worn by the Queen Mother at the coronation of her husband King George VI in 1937 was worn again at Queen Elizabeth's coronation in 1953. Now, a group, which has called itself the “Mountain of Light” after the translation of the stone’s name, say that the 105-carat diamond was stolen from its true home in India and are demanding that the UK Government returns it. Given to the reigning Queen of the time by the
AND BEYOND
SEPTEMBER 2015 DESI XPRESS 35
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XPRESS
NO.1 FOR ASIAN ENTERTAINMENT
the Me a tting Pu in Meen
PABLA
Mandeep Dhillon on taking Anita & Me to Stage
1
Meera Syal’s much loved novel bursts onto the stage for the first time. The poignant comingof-age tale follows Meena, the irreverent teenager daughter of the only Punjabi family in the mining village of Tollington. When she becomes friends with the impossibly feisty Anita, she thinks she’s found her soul mate but her world is turned upside down and she finds herself caught between two cultures. The stage show will be debuting at Birmingham’s REP theatre on October 9th and starts Mandeep Dhillon and Ameet Chana among others. Mandeep sat down with DesiXpress to talk about the upcoming play.
How did you get the role?
5
I went to the audition, which my agent sent me to, after that I was sent to another audition. I then received a call which confirmed my part. 2
How does it feel to be chosen for the role for such a prestigious production? I was really happy with it. I enjoyed the movie. So, to be honest, I was really happy and I’m really excited about starting rehearsals.
3
4
Anita & Me is a very well known production. Have you read the book and what is your favourite part? No, I haven’t read the book, but I have watched the movie. My favourite part is when she is dancing in front of her family and she swears! That bit always sticks out for me so when it comes to theatre production we will have to be careful! What do you think about the script and when do rehearsals start? I think the script is funny. I loved it and I love the character! Meena is ‘out there’ so it is going to be really fun to play. We start rehearsals on 8th September. out for me so when it comes to theatre production we will have to be careful!
5
How is your chemistry with the rest of the cast? It’s brilliant! We had a workshop and we’ve had two days of learning songs. That was where we met the cast and they were so lovely! Have you met Meera Syal yet? No! I haven’t. But I do meet her soon. When I was y o u n g e r used to watch her on Goodness Gracious Me. I have also been a fan of her work and a fan of her just as a woman. Just to have a conversation with her is going to be lovely. To have her at the show is going to be amazing. I am actually playing her because the book is actually based on her which is going to be really interesting.
I
Read the full interview on our website: www.desixpress. co.uk
The Asian Today Newspaper wins another award @ The Pakistani Music & Media Awards 2015 for: Best Newspaper Online / Magazine page. 35 REST IN PEACE
ASIAN MEDIA INDUSTRY PAYS TRIBUTE TO ONE OF ITS OWN
Showing From 9th October 2015
CITY OF
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his month, we sadly said goodbye to a pillar of the music and entertainment industry, Tony Singh Pabla. Tony suffered a severe headache and collapsed at his residence in Leicester. He was admitted to hospital in critical condition. Doctors advised that a blood vessel burst in his brain during the fall resulting in a coma. Tony, peacefully, passed away two days later at the Royal Infirmary Hospital in Leicester, with his family and close friends by his side. Tony was known worldwide for his commitment to the Asian entertainment industry. In just one day, over 2.5 million interactions were created on social media sending Tony prayers and support. As the co-founder and face of popular site Punjab2000.com, Tony had helped launch and support the careers of many artists over the years. Punjab2000 will soon be celebrating their fifteenth anniversary, thanks to Tony’s commitment and passion behind the scenes working day and night to run the site. Close friend and colleague Valraj ‘Baja’ Banning shares, "Tony was the true perfectionist to work with. Any deviation from his plans would cause mayhem, be it the way a photo was taken or the way an interview was conducted, or simply taking note of his advice to achieve a goal. As far as Punjab2000/Friends Electric/the Asian music industry, friends and family
are concerned - there will never ever be another Tony Singh Pabla.” Many know Tony from the years of running his electrical shop in Leicester, Friends Electric. He will forever be remembered as one of the industry’s influential pioneers from Bhangra daytimers, to concerts and behind the scenes of huge named artists. He was always at the end of the phone day or night, no matter how big or small the artist or problem, Tony Singh Pabla would have the time for you. Tony continues to help people as his wish was to donate his organs. Tony was extremely passionate about being an organ donor and helped to spread awareness about this cause. The entire team at Punjab2000 send our love and condolences to the family. Tony was a family man, and brought us all together as one. The industry mourns a tragic loss. His passion and genuine nature was like no other. The Asian Today would like to pay their respects to Tony Singh Pabla. Anita and Ifraz have met Tony on a number of occasions who was always approachable and amiable. Tony will be well remembered as a leading figure within the Asian media industry and his legacy will live on through his contribution to the world of Punjabi music and we were fortunate to have known him.
TONY SINGH PABLA ASIAN MEDIA INDUSTRY PAYS TRIBUTE TO ONE OF ITS OWN
SANCTUARY Photography: Adam Yosef
Council to mourn the death of Aylan Kurdi and bring awareness to the plight of refugees trying to flee warzone areas. The message was clear, refugees are welcome to the city.
Abdul Hade Darkachli, 18, organised the event along with fellow Syrians Maya Ghazal, 16, and 22-year-old Ammar Janat. Continued Page 3
Best Publication of the Year The Bhangra Awards 2014
Best Newspaper
Pakistan Music & Media Awards 2015
FROM THE ASIAN TODAY TEAM
NOVEMBER 2013 ISSUE No.180
MONTHLY
WINNERS OF BEST LOCAL NEWSPAPER
XXXX SHOWBIZ
INTERVIEW HRITHIK ROSHAN
TWO
BIRMINGHAM VIGIL REMEMBERS AYLAN KURDI
Best Local Newspaper
The Asian Media Awards 2013
www.theasiantoday.com www.desixpress.co.uk
Happy Diwali to all of our readers From The Asian Today Team
READ ALL ABOUT OUR PRESTIGIOUS WIN AT THE ASIAN MEDIA AWARDS 2013 TURN TO PAGE 4
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SPORT: ASIAN FOOTBALL AWARDS: FULL REPORT. PICTURES AND REACTION FROM AN UNFORGETTABLE NIGHT - TURN TO PAGE 36
TIPU TAKES A
last ruler of the Sikhs, Duleep Singh, after the British annexe of the Punjab, the stone is “one of the many artefacts taken from India under dubious circumstances”, according to David de Souza from the Indian leisure group Tito’s. Souza claims the British colonisation of India had stolen wealth and “destroyed the country’s psyche”. Bollywood star Bhumicka Singh, also part of the group, said, “The Koh-i-noor is not just a 105-carat stone, but part of our history and culture and should undoubtedly be returned.” British Lawyers instructed by the “Mountain of Light” group to return the stone, said they would base their case on the Holocaust (Return of Cultural Objects) Act, which gives national institutions in the UK the power to return stolen art. Continued on Page 2
YOUR FREE ASIAN COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER www.theasiantoday.com
REST IN PEACE
vigil has been held in Birmingham in memory of a Syrian toddler, washed ashore on a Turkish beach. Hundreds of people gathered outside Birmingham City
M
idland based all-female entertainment team Eternal Taal have wowed audiences with their diverse and dynamic performances. From Bhangra to Bollywood, these powerhouse ladies have shown that anything the guys can do, they can do better! Their latest venture has seen them take Bollywood for a second time in Shahid Kapoors new hit movie Shaandaar The dhol and dance group who have previously appeared in Bollywood hit Yamla Pagla Deewana 2 have gone from strength to strength, appearing on the Glastonbury stage, House of Commons 2010 and Dermot o’ Leary’s 24 hour Dance-A-Thon for BBC’s Comic Relief.
HAPPY DIWALI
WINNERS OF THE BEST NEWSPAPER
DESI TONY SINGH
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much easier if everyone just listened to him and followed his lead, but his obsessively house-proud wife and two feisty daughters, Alia, (Bhavna Limbachia) and Shazia (Krupa Pattani) usually have other ideas. This series sees Mr Khan enjoying his new role as a grandfather to newly born ‘Baby Mohammad’. Mr Khan goes to extraordinary lengths to prove that the ‘genius’ baby is more genetically Khan than Malik. He tries to land an unlikely job at the local academy to boost Mohammad’s chances of getting a place. Mr and Mrs Khan are forced to face up to the fact that Alia might have found herself a boyfriend; Mr Khan uses son-in-law, Amjad (Abdullah Afzal), mother-in-law Naani (Adlyn Ross), and his 13 yearold nephew to help him with his next new business idea - a chicken shop; and Mr Khan attempts to be Birmingham’s new local hero in order to bag a Pride of Birmingham Award.
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omedian and writer Adil Ray has revealed that he is in talks to take his character, Mr Khan abroad to allow it to “explore wider issues.” Talking in an interview, the actor said, “If we did a film I’d like to concentrate on Mr Khan being this quite big physical character [so] that even if you didn’t know Mr Khan but you saw a big poster… and it was ‘Mr Khan Goes to America’, the Muslim but big-hearted self-appointed that went to America to meet the community leader Mr Khan (Adil President - I could see what that Ray) and his long-suffering family could be about. recently returned to our screens, “If we did a film I’d like to pulling in over 3.3million viewers. concentrate on Mr Khan being this Mr Khan is the loveable, larger quite big physical character [so] than life character, with strong that even if you didn’t know Mr opinions and big dreams. The Khan but you saw a big poster… and challenges he faces are those of it was ‘Mr Khan Goes to America’, many fathers: how to make ends the Muslim that went to America meet, keep Mrs Khan (Shobu to meet the President - I could see Kapoor) and his family happy and what that could be about.” continue to be the pillar of the local The loud-mouthed, tight-fisted, community. Things would be so
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was announced winner. In his winners speech, the Britishborn Muslim said, “This spaceship, I want to dedicate this to every single person who has suffered from mental health, every young boy, girl, man, woman who sits in their bedroom crying and you don’t know why, everyone who avoids mirrors because you don’t like what you look like. I want to tell you, if you are suffering from mental health it is absolutely fine. Continued on Page 2
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The hit film introduces newcomers Varun Dhawan and Kriti Sanon, who jumped at the chance to star alongside the silver screen veterans. Dhawan adds: "The cast of this film comprises some absolute legends. There’s obviously Shah Rukh and Kajol, there's Johnny Lever, there's Boman Irani, Kabir Bedi.” Rohit shetty’s new production sees a couple in love try to overcome the violent conflict between their families, and typical to Shetty’s style, Dilwale has an interesting mix of action, drama and comedy. While Shah rukh and Varun will be leading the action sequences, Johnny Lever and Fukrey star Varun Sharma will be adding humorous touches to the rich and original plot. King Khan and his team have been busy promoting their new Bollywood hit, teasing audiences with exclusive song releases and clips, causing fan-frenzy world-wide and reaching over 5 million views on YouTube alone.
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Londoner Becomes First British Muslim To Go To Space ollowing in the footsteps of some of history’s boldest adventurers, a YouTuber has won a competition to fly to space. Hussain Manawar said he dedicated his win to people suffering from mental health problems, after bagging the international prize. At a summit, One Young World, that was hosted in Bangkok and in front of influential figures such as Sir Bob Geldof, Gina NelthorpeCowne, David Jones, Fatima Bhutto and acclaimed astronaut Ron Garan, Manawar
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local restaurant has picked up two awards at a prestigious awards ceremony celebrating the food industry. The annual English Curry Awards took place in central Manchester and saw Birmingham based Tipu Sultan being awarded Best Restaurant Design and Best of Birmingham. Continued on Page 14
“Tipu Sultan has picked the best from around the world and put it together in one place." Waqas Babar & Mauheed Johngir Brand ambassadors of Tipu Sultan
'LOVE MARRIAGE' DROVE DAD TO KILL
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A FATHER-OF-SIX doused his Tyseley home with petrol and set a fatal fire that killed his wife because he feared a daughter’s wedding plans would shame his family. Mohammed Inayat torched the Cateswell Road house in the early hours of April 17 – the day a daughter was booked on a flight to Dubai to marry her police officer lover. His wife Naika Inayat died after being overcome by thick smoke, whilst three daughters – one of whom suffered 45 per cent burns – and a family friend were forced to leap from first floor windows as intense flames quickly spread through the semidetached house.
Birmingham Crown Court heard that Mohammed Inayat had recently learned of his 30-year-old daughter’s Middle East relationship and plans to marry and relocate to Dubai. The 56-year-old responded angrily to the news – saying the “love marriage” would dishonour the family – and kicked out at the bride-to-be during one row and on another occasion threatened to have her killed. CONTINUED ON PAGE 13
6A Olton Wharf Richmond Road Solihull B92 7RN
• ARSON: The torched family home above, and left, Mohammed Inayat
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