Such a surreal day yesterday.. after an intense training day at Manchester Rape Crisis on working with dissociative process and trauma, I headed to Blackburn to the stunning setting of King George's Hall for The Fusion Awards 2017.
The evening went beautifully; bumping into old friends, meeting and making new ones, as I found myself surrounded by amazing talents and many unsung heroes of the North West.
Couldn't be prouder to lose in the "Woman of the Year" category, where I was a finalist, to Marzia Babakarkhail. I'm in awe of Marzia; a former judge in Afghanistan who narrowly escaped an assassination attempt on her life, where she was shot at by the taliban. She worked to help educate girls and fought for women's rights. Leaving Afghanistan as a refugee 8 years ago to settle here in the UK she has continued to help other refugees, and now I can call her, friend and mentor.
Though I didn't win, I feel like a winner. For my work in sexual violence and all my other work over the years to be recognised has been a humbling experience. I'd like to thank The Fusion Awards for the brilliant evening and for the recognition.
As a final thought... there are so many unsung heroes who walk amongst us. We never hear about their work or their achievements and therefore it's so important for us to champion each other. We never know the struggles of others or their journeys as to how they stand where they are today. However their legacies, the lives they have touched, and the marks they leave behind are a testament to them. May we leave behind what weighs heavy on our scales of good, so we may be be raised amongst the most righteous. Ameen.
I want to give a special thanks to my family, without whom I couldn't do what I do, my friends who always champion me or pull me into line, and my colleagues and peers at Manchester Rape Crisis, Remembering Srebrenica, and the Spiritual Care Team at CMFT for the opportunities, love, compassion and support they have given me over the years and continue to give me...
the work continues..
May Allah aid me on this journey. Alhamdulillah all praise are due to Him
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