Local and international dignitaries were in attendance yesterday at Bradford City Hall, as Muslim Women’s Council Chief Executive Bana Gora received the 2021 Peacemaker Award following her nomination last year, from the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace (CSJP), from New Jersey (USA).
Bana has been awarded in recognition of her outstanding contribution to peace making and work for justice in light of the CSJP founder Margaret Anna Cusack’s life and work, and the continuing work of the CSJP.
Recently elected CSJP Congregation Leader Sister Andrea Nenzel from New Jersey presented the award and a cheque to Bana, and was joined by Sister Maureen Brennan, Chair of the Chapter Committee (Nottingham), and Sisters from St Clare’s Convent in Bradford and beyond.
Leader of Bradford Council Susan Hinchcliffe, Bradford East MP Imran Hussain and Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Shabir Hussain all said a few words on the special occasion.
Sister Andrea said “Bana is a true champion of the poor, of women across society, and uses her work and platform to raise awareness about issues affecting those less fortunate in society. We are delighted to recognise Bana’s work and contribution to the community”.
Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe said “We are very proud that Bana has received this award. Bana is a wonderful person in the Bradford district who does great leadership for us in so many spheres. Acknowledging Bana’s contribution to the work of Muslim Women’s Council globally, not just in Bradford, is wonderful to see”.
Imran Hussain MP said “I want to thank the CSJP sincerely for recognising this huge international achievement award for a daughter of Bradford. Bana has done fantastic work for our district with multiple hats on. She has led on major projects in the city, and she continues to make a massive difference. She is a real inspiration, not just to people in Bradford, but across the country. And now to find out she’s an inspirational character internationally is well-deserved and celebrates this great city of ours”.
Bana Gora, CEO of Muslim Women’s Council said “Being the first Muslim woman to receive this award makes this very special. Frontline charity leaders like myself are often in the media spotlight for the visible work that we do. But there are so many silent heroes amongst us like Sister Catherine and many others working tirelessly doing some fantastic work, who don’t receive any acknowledgement or accolades, so this award is for all of us”.
ENDS
Editors Notes
Photography by Imagine A World.
Muslim Women’s Council is a leading Bradford based charity set up in 2009. We are led by the needs of Muslim women and our mission is to ‘empower women for the benefit of society’. We believe when women are empowered this benefits the whole of society, and that women are an effective force for social change. Our vision is ‘for every woman, life with all its opportunities’.
MWC can be contacted through directorsoffice@muslimwomenscouncil.org.uk or call our office 01274 223230.
