Inaugural IMRA Awards honours outstanding achievements of Muslim women and others

From left: Saarah Deen Ismail, Yasmin Cader, Rezani Aziz, Chief Guest Deshamanya Radhika Coomaraswamy, Shahnasz Hakeem, Feroza Ameen, Dr. Shemoon Marleen, Farzana Jameel, Ferial Ashroff, Juwairiya Mohideen, Neetha Dhammachari Ariyaratne, Anushya Coomaraswamy, and Fathima Aziz 

Chief Guest Deshamanya Radhika Coomaraswamy

All Ceylon Muslim Women’s Association President Shahinsifa Zahir

Denara Training Institute Director Fathima Aziz

The All Ceylon Muslim Women’s Association (ACMWA), a venerable organisation with a 71-year legacy, proudly hosted the inaugural IMRA Awards to recognise the exceptional accomplishments of Muslim women in Sri Lanka. 

Held on 3 March at the prestigious Shangri-La Colombo, this landmark event coincided with the upcoming International Women’s Day and showcased the remarkable achievements of strong, visionary women from the community.

The event honoured outstanding women in various categories, including Media and Communications, Hospitality, Banking and Finance, Healthcare, Law and Advocacy, Arts and Culture, Business Entrepreneurship, Social Impact, and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Additionally, four exceptional women received the IMRA Lifetime Achievement Award, two from the Muslim community and two from other communities.

“We are thrilled to have initiated the IMRA Awards to shine the spotlight on the remarkable achievements of Muslim women,” stated Denara Training Institute Director Fathima Aziz. “Our intention was to create a platform that recognises the outstanding contributions of Muslim women from diverse backgrounds and professions.”

IMRA, derived from the Arabic word for ‘woman’ in Islam, embodies attributes such as power, strength, adventure, energy, curiosity, spirituality, and magnetism. These awards aim to celebrate and amplify the voices of Muslim women who embody these qualities and have excelled in their respective fields.

The inaugural IMRA Awards received an overwhelming response, with 84 applications pouring in from across Colombo and the provinces. The selection process was designed to be fair and transparent, with KPMG on board as a knowledge partner. All applications were carefully reviewed and scored against predetermined criteria. Shortlisted candidates underwent interviews by an independent panel of distinguished judges.

Among the winners were Rezani Aziz for Media, Yasmin Cader for Hospitality and Tourism, Feroza Ameen for Banking and Finance, Dr. Shemoon Marleen for Healthcare, Farzana Jameel PC for Law and Advocacy, Haadiya Galely for Arts and Culture, Shahnasz Hakeem for Business Entrepreneurship, Nuha Ghouse and Saarah Deen Ismail for the IMRA Young Biz Entrepreneur Achievement Award, and Juwairiya Mohideen for the IMRA Award for Social Impact. 

Additionally, the Award for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) was presented to Dr. Rozana Himaz.

In addition to the above awards, four Lifetime Achievement Awards were given to Anushya Coomaraswamy for her dynamics in the Finance Sector, Neetha Dhammachari Ariyaratne for her social work, Ferial Ashroff for her contributions to Sri Lankan politics and social activism, and Deshabandu Jezima Ismail for her service as an educator, broadcaster, social activist, and human rights advocate.

“In all the categories chosen, Muslim women have had to overcome unique challenges to prove themselves,” remarked Aziz. “The IMRA Awards aim to highlight and celebrate these achievements, inspiring future generations of Muslim women to reach greater heights. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to all nominees for sharing their achievements with us. While it’s the inaugural awards event, we hope to continue this tradition bi-annually, inspiring and empowering future generations of Muslim women.”

Notably, all proceeds from the IMRA Awards will support the Denara Training Institute, benefiting the next generation of Muslim women. The institute, in collaboration with partners such as “Farhath’s Mehendi” and Cuty Rose, offers courses in mehendi art, dressmaking, and embroidery, nurturing the talents of young women and fostering empowerment within the community.

Pix by Upul Abayasekara