DMU’s Imam short-listed in the British Muslim Awards

RELIGIONS NEWS AGENCY (REDNA) – The Imam at De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) has been nominated in the Religious Advocate of the Year category at this week’s British Muslim Awards.

De Montfort University Leicester reported Imam Mohammed Laher, who has overseen a recent expansion of the men’s and women’s prayer rooms at DMU, said he did not believe it when he received a call to say he had been nominated.

‘I thought it was a spam call,” he laughs. “I asked who had nominated me and they said it was a secret but, rest assured, this is recognising the good work you have done.

“A student then congratulated me on the news and I looked into it further and saw it was true.

“It is a very challenging role here. But at the same time, when you help someone, it is very satisfying. Seeing people smile is the ‘thank you’ – all the hard work is justified at that moment.”

Imam Mohammed will oversee prayers this Friday, which can involve speaking to around 1,000 people in a day, before heading to Manchester for the British Muslim Awards final, to find out if he has won.

The Imam provides religious and spiritual support for students and staff, but general wellbeing and guidance is also provided during the day on a one-to-one or group basis.