Qaisra Shahraz MBE won a SheInspires Award for 2021 against strong national competition. Qaisra the founder and executive director of Muslim Arts and Culture Festival,(MACFESTUK), an international novelist and award winning peace and gender activist won the ‘Culture Champion Award’ category, for her tireless and excellent work in the field of art, culture and bringing communities together, nationally.
“I am honoured and delighted to win this award.It pays homage to my dedicated work in celebrating multi-arts, culture and heritage in communities,as well as in schools and colleges across the North West.” explained Qaisra. This was her third award in two months. On 9th November she was awarded her MBE by HRH Duke of Cambrdge, Prince William at Windsor Castle and in October she and her marvellous team won the highly prestigious‘Queens Award for Voluntary Service.’
“The competition was very strong with amazing women achieving amazing things! This award also celebrates the incredible growth and achievement of our hugely successdul and award winning festival, locally, nationally and internationally.”
This is the seventh year that the SheInspires Awards have been held and, after going national last year, the first time they have been international. Entries have come in from countries including Denmark, India, South Africa, the Unites States, the UAE, Australia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Egypt, and Turkey as well as from across the UK.
Awards’ organiser Gulnaz Brennan commented: “The quality of the nominations has been really outstanding. We have had 145 finalists in 18 categories and the job of the judges was particularly difficult. “Opening up the awards internationally has proved very successful this year and we plan on repeating this next year. They are a special way of recognising truly amazing women from around the world today and I’m very proud of their success.”
