The 10th Annual Sri Lankan Muslim Educational Excellence Awards 2026 was successfully held on Saturday, 17 January 2026, at Allum Manor Hall, Elstree, marking a significant milestone in celebrating a decade of academic excellence and outstanding achievement within the Sri Lankan Muslim community in the United Kingdom.

The prestigious ceremony was organised by the Education & Community Development Sub-Committee of the Sri Lankan Muslim Cultural Centre UK (SLMCC-UK). Established in 2000, SLMCC-UK is a Harrow-based registered charity and the first Islamic centre in Europe founded by Sri Lankan Muslims. It serves as a cultural, religious, and educational hub, offering a wide range of programmes for children, youth, and families. The Centre has also been recognised for its governance and community service, receiving the Beacon Mosque Award in 2021 as the Best Run Mosque in the UK.

The awards ceremony was attended by nearly 400 participants, including award recipients and their families, community leaders, sponsors, representatives of partner organisations, invited guests, and well-wishers.

The programme commenced with Qir’ath by Akeel Arshad and translation by Anshath Ashker, followed by a welcome address by Mr Ikram Ilyas, President of EdCom-SLMCC. In his remarks, Mr Ilyas highlighted the proud legacy of Sri Lankan Muslims rooted in faith, values, and a strong emphasis on education, stressing that education must extend beyond academic qualifications to the development of character, responsibility, and leadership.

The event was honoured by the presence of several distinguished guests, including H.E. Nimal Senadheera, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to the United Kingdom; Ash-Sheikh Arkam Nooramith, General Secretary of the All Ceylon Jammiyathul Ulama of Sri Lanka; and Mr Maswood Ahmed, Deputy Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain.

Delivering the first keynote address, Mr Maswood Ahmed emphasised the vital role of parents in a child’s educational journey and the importance of gratitude, referencing Surah Luqman from the Holy Qur’an.

Addressing the gathering, H.E. Nimal Senadheera stated that the milestone event reflected both academic excellence and the unity of the Sri Lankan diaspora. He commended parents, educators, mentors, and SLMCC-UK for empowering young people to succeed globally while preserving their cultural identity and values.
In his address, Ash-Sheikh Arkam Nooramith highlighted that in Islam, knowledge is a sacred trust (amanah) that must be pursued and applied with integrity for the benefit of society. He encouraged perseverance and reminded attendees that success can be achieved through multiple pathways, including entrepreneurship.

The programme was enriched with nasheed performances by Maryam Imran, Khadeejah Shafraz, and Jibreel Nafaiz, adding spiritual depth to the evening. The awards ceremony was hosted by Hassan and Hussain, known as the Tarbiyah Twins, adding a warm and engaging atmosphere to the evening.

Awards were presented across multiple categories, including students who successfully passed the 11+ examinations and gained admission to grammar and independent schools.

The GCSE Gold Award was jointly awarded to Wafiq Waffa and Abdulla Fayaz for achieving A* grades in a minimum of ten subjects. The A-Level Top Award was presented to Fathima Hidayathulla for achieving A* distinctions in five subjects. Recognition was also given to First Class undergraduate degree holders, postgraduate achievers, and master’s degree recipients from leading universities.

One of the most inspiring moments of the evening was the recognition of Rina Alif, who overcame chronic kidney disease and underwent two kidney transplants before completing an MSc in Health Psychology at the University of Nottingham. Outstanding Achievement Awards were also presented to Mikhail Marwan, a 16-year-old national boxing competition winner; Amani Mazeen, a nine-year-old recognised for exceptional courage and resilience and recipient of the Resilience and Positivity Award from the Royal Borough of Greenwich; and Ahnaf Zahry Sharjoon, a competitive wheelchair basketball player who has represented Wales at under-18 national level, while maintaining strong academic performance.

The evening also marked the launch of the 10th EdCom Magazine, which was presented to distinguished guests and notable attendees, including Mr Faizer Khan, Country Director of Muslim Aid Sri Lanka; Mr Segu Razeen, President of SLMCC-UK; Mr Shakeer Nawas, President of COSMOS UK; Mrs Shamim Khan, Head Teacher of Al Barakah School; along with other senior community leaders, educators, and professionals.

The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Mr Ashker Amin, Secretary of EdCom-SLMCC, followed by dinner for all attendees.

Since its inception in 2013, the Sri Lankan Muslim Educational Excellence Awards have recognised achievements ranging from 11+ level to PhD, while also honouring individuals who have made significant contributions to education. The steadily increasing number of applications and participants each year reflects the growing impact and success of this initiative. Preparations are already underway for the 11th Annual Sri Lankan Muslim Educational Excellence Awards.

Media Contact:
Education & Community Development Sub-Committee (EdCom) Sri Lankan Muslim Cultural Centre UK (SLMCC-UK) edcom@slmcc.co.uk