Winner of the 2024 National Diversity Award for:
Positive Role Model for Race, Religion or Faith
Thanking Allah for giving him the strength and conviction to dedicate the past 27 years of his life to making the lives of others in the UK and overseas better, 44-year-old Nazim Ali is a truly amazing person. He has raised over £990,000 for a wide variety of charitable causes including projects to provide food and homes for the poor and needy in places such as Malawi, Pakistan, Uganda and Afghanistan. Nazim has undertaken numerous self-funded aid trips around the world, from war-torn Mosul to Malawi, distributing food, clothing, blankets and sanitary packs.
More locally, in Bradford, he is known as the ‘Ramadan Runner’ for running long distance races to raise money whilst fasting! As if running marathons, completing the National and the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenges for charitable causes and getting young people involved in charity work wasn’t enough, Nazim provides food to the most vulnerable people in his society through the Curry Circle Food Provision and the Nazim Ali Foundation Khidma Community Kitchen. He actively encourages young volunteers to play their part and give back to society.
How my actions affect my community
My actions have inspired others, in particular young people, to engage in community and voluntary work. This has been very evident through the Nazim Ali Foundation Khidma Community Kitchen and also with people joining me on the challenges which raise money for charity. I use the message – ‘If I can do it, why can’t you?’ It seems to strike a chord and inspires people to ask how they can get involved in my charitable challenges.
Why I started out on this journey
Growing up in poverty and having tuberculosis as a 5-year-old propelled me into dedicating my life towards alleviating the suffering of the poor and needy. My illness gave me empathy towards poorly children in hospitals and through the 'Creating Smiles Gifts Initiative', I have established a strong link with Bradford Royal Infirmary & Airedale Hospital Children’s Wards, providing toys to sick children. I naturally enjoy helping others. In my university personal statement, I wrote my dream job role was that of a humanitarian aid worker; thanks to God I have been able to fulfil this aspiration.
The activities or initiatives that have had the greatest impact
This is very difficult to gauge as you can bring help to people in so many ways: as a large collective effort or simply by giving a child a present. Whilst there are differences, the common goal is to make life better for people, wherever and whoever they may be.
If I were pressed, I would say that my ‘Khidma Community Kitchen’ has a most impact, providing a vital lifeline for those in need for people from all communities in Bradford. Since its inception we have provided over 6,000 meals. We have had 60 different volunteers of which 41 have been young people under the age of 18! That is something of which I am very happy about.
Internationally, my house building initiatives have been hugely rewarding with over 300 homes built in Malawi, Pakistan, Uganda & Afghanistan. It is truly life changing & transformational. 770 live goats have been provided in Malawi so poor families can use them for their milk, breeding and, eventually, for their meat. The installation of almost 500 water pumps and water wells in Malawi, Uganda, Ivory Coast & Pakistan has been lifechanging. Whilst I see it as something that I want to do; it is needed and I am thankful to Allah (God) for allowing me to help others.
The advice to others wishing to help their community:
Never give up, always renew your intentions and stay strong even in the midst of negativity. Don’t let your background hinder your development and never apologise for wanting to be the best version of yourself. You can make the world a better place: don’t let anyone tell you otherwise!
The evening at the National Diversity Awards ceremony
It was absolutely wonderful! I found it so humbling to meet individuals from all corners of the UK from diverse backgrounds who are change makers in their localities.
How this award will benefit my work
It has definitely given me renewed vigour, encouragement and, above all, determination to continue to do what I do by touching and changing lives. The resulting media coverage has allowed people to get in touch to see what they can do to help others.
The people who inspire me:
As a devout Muslim, Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) has been my inspirational role-model. He has taught me to engage in civic renewal and to help the most vulnerable in society, irrespective of faith or ethnicity. His example of mercy and compassion is truly awe-inspiring.
My future goals:
In the short term it is to reach the £1 million mark for charity fundraising - I am on the cusp of doing it! I hope to develop further the Nazim Ali Foundation and increase diverse initiatives that involve and inspire others to engage in community work and volunteering. I truly believe that creating a shared robust purpose can lift others by touching and changing lives.