By Ibrahim Joenal Sesay
FREETOWN, Aug. 19 (232News) – The Youth in Action for Development of Islam (YADI) has officially launched the 4th National Islamic Awards (NIA 2021) slated for 12th of December, 2021 at the Hill Valley Academy.
The official launched took place on Sunday 15th August at Med Saj Building, Circular Road Freetown.
In his presentation NIA 2021concept paper, YADI Founder and Executive Director, Bro Amidu Wurie Barrie said Islam is in the hands of young people. He said some young organisations face lot of challenges to push Islam forward through that they decided to come with such awards as a means of promoting and recognising their good works.
He continued to say their vision is the preservation of the Islamic heritage, pointing out that they have been propagating Islam, supporting young people and doing dawah.
He said out of their four thematic programs their biggest flagship programme is NIA because it is the one that carries the highest budgets that have up to six months of planning and project activities to ensure that the programme is successful.
“The award is all about appreciation, motivation, and promotion. We appreciate people who are working vehemently for the development of Islam in diverse ways, entities and organisations across the country.”
He continued to say through the motivation, they try to see how best they can motivate people to continue doing the good works that they have been doing, and also for the ones who are not to ensure that they work very hard.
He disclosed that every category has its criteria that are developed by the award juries.
“Each of the award categories have lengthy criteria that they are looking for to ensure that the person is fit for nomination.”
He said over the years they have maintained that part of award tradition in ensuring that the people they select jury are people with highest credibility and they are also scholars of Islam.
He disclosed further that the award juries, Islamic organisation heads and other Muslim dignitaries carry 60% of the votes, because they are part of the system, and they understand better what is happening in the Muslim community than the general public who could just vote for sentiments or because somebody told them to vote.
20 categories of awards will be available, 12 are for voting while the 8 are honourees award that will be decided by the juries.
He thanked their sponsors for been the backbone behind the success of the awards, and also called on more people to help in supporting the project because it is not just a project of him but a project of the Muslim community.
“You see, the way we project ourselves as Muslims through this particular award says, what we are made for, and how much we can give back to society.
5 nominees for every category and the juries will also accept online nomination.
Official launch of 4th NIA 2021, Guest of honour Dr. Ibrahim Bah aka Dockal said the gathering shows love for Islam. He said those that are not thankful, Allah will not please with them.
The award is a way of saying thanks for the good work to people and their organisations.
“To say thank you and for praise is what Islam wants and it is a good thing. I want it to be competition because it is part of Islam but not in a hatred form.”
He also said when one is praying he should pray in faith by believing that he will get it.
A student of the College of Medicine and Allied Health Science Muslim Jammat, Aminata Bangura described the award as good things for the Muslim community and a good initiative for them.
Officially unveiling NIA 2021 categories was done by Haja Husain Hassan Kamara CEO of Digital Islam who thanked the executive director for the honour.
Categories are as follows:
Islamic youth organisation of the year
Islamic female organisation of the year
Islamic school of the year
College Muslims Jamaa of the year
Imaam of the year
Inspirational Sheikh of the year
Inspirational Islamic Woman of the year
Inspirational Islamic Youth of the year
Nasheed Song of the year
Islamic Poem / Spoken Word of the year
Islamic Entertainer of the year
Muslim Media Personality
Philanthropist of the year
Quaranic Icon of the year
Influential Muslim of the year
Lifetime Achievement Award
Dedicated Islamic Service – East
Dedicated Islamic Service – West
Dedicated Islamic Service – North
Dedicated Islamic Service – South
