He is studying a PhD in Politics at the University of York.
The winners of the Yorkshire Asian Young Achiever Awards (YAYA’s) were announced on November 17, 2023, at Bradford’s Cedar Court Hotel.
The awards were founded by Bradford charity QED Foundation and are sponsored by York St John University.
They celebrate South Asian heritage people aged 16 to 30, who were born in or live and work in Yorkshire.
These winners have overcome deprivation and disadvantage to become successful role models in their chosen fields.
Over 30 nominees were in contention for the 10 awards.
Tanisha Jain won the Achievement in Sport award.
The 20-year-old is the first Asian woman to be Sport Union President at the University of York.
At the University, Tanisha has increased diversity in the BAME and LGBTQ communities. She is also the treasurer for the Last Taboo, which helps sexual violence victims.
Nusaybah Tufail received the Achievement in Health, Mental Health, or Healthcare award.
She works at Bradford Teaching Hospital in the neonatal ward. She is the first female in her family to have completed a university degree (in Children’s Nursing).
Nineteen-year-old Mohammed Saeed won the Achievement in Arts and Creative Industries.
Mohammed was excluded from school and referred to the Pupil Referral Unit.
During lockdown, he had mental health struggles. He soon found a passion for dancing and it improved his wellbeing.
Mohammed is completing his first year in Performing Arts at Bradford College.
Dr Mohammed Ali OBE founded QED in 1990.
Today, the charity is a key player in ethnic minority issues at both national and international level.
Business leaders, celebrities and influencers attended the Yorkshire Asian Young Achiever Awards, which were presented by Noreen Khan.
Featured guests included TV medic Dr Amir Khan.
Video messages of support were also sent from the likes of Professor Waqar Ahmad and Derby County footballer Kira Rai.
Mohammad Malik received the Achievement in Education.
He is studying a PhD in Politics at the University of York.
From a council estate in Manchester, Mohammad previously pulled out of university due to caring commitments but returned to do a postgraduate degree.
He has organised trips to refugee camps, as well as helping Afghan refugees to integrate in York. Mohammad provides mentorship for students who want to enter higher education.
Safura Said left an abusive marriage whilst pregnant.
The abuse affected her mental health, leading to self-harm and severe panic attacks. But she went on to raise her son as a single mother and qualified as a conveyancer. She is also involved with the empowering community, Muslim Hikers.
Safura won the Private Sector/ Young Entrepreneur category.
The Not-for-Profit sector award went to Samiyaa Ahmed.
She has volunteered in refugee hubs in York and Newcastle, taught English to refugees at Newcastle University, and volunteered in refugee camps in Calais, Greece, and France.
Samiyaa has completed an internship with an MP, aspiring to work in the Human Rights’ sector.
Dr Mohammad Ali OBE, CEO of the QED Foundation, said:
“The YAYAs are more than just an awards scheme, they’re a campaign to inspire more young people to be successful.”
“Many of this year’s YAYA winners have succeeded, despite having to cope with major challenges in life.
“All of the young people nominated are an inspiration to others, and are making vital contributions to society at large.”
The YAYA’s also celebrate one individual for Overcoming Life Obstacles.
The 2023 award went to Mohammed Hamad, who was born with a rare genetic disability called Fuhrmann syndrome.
It is a type of skeletal dysplasia, which has left him wheelchair-bound.
He currently works for the NHS as a Purchase Ledger Officer.
The Overall Winner went to Mariam Habib, who is studying for a Health and Social Care degree at the University of Huddersfield.
She is studying whilst taking care of her son, who has multiple health conditions and is highly dependent on her.
Mariam also faced an abusive marriage while pregnant with her second child. Taking a year out to raise her two children, she returned to her studies a year later.
The Yorkshire Asian Young Achiever Awards also featured the inaugural Yorkshire Asian Young award, which went to 15-year-old Umra Andar from Belle Vue Girls Academy.
All the Winners
Tanisha Jain – Achievement in Sport
Nusaybah Tufail – Achievement in Health, Mental Health, or Healthcare
Mohammed Saeed – Achievement in Arts and Creative Industries
Mahnoor Akhlaq – Achievement in Media
Mohammad Malik – Achievement in Education
Safura Said – Private Sector/ Young Entrepreneur
Safah Aftab – Achievement in School or College
Sadiya Salim – Achievement in Public Sector
Samiyaa Ahmed – Achievement in Not-for-Profit Sector
Mohammed Hamad – Overcoming Life Obstacles
Mariam Habib – Overall Winner
Umra Andar – Yorkshire Asian Young
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