* Inside the design, symbolism and legacy of an award celebrating Muslim excellence
The 7th Anniversary Lecture and MNAwards Presentation of the Muslim News Nigeria may have come and gone, but one feature of the event continues to resonate with guests, award recipients, and observers alike: the distinctive design of the MNAwards plaque award.
Held in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria, on Sunday, June 14, the Anniversary brought together Muslim scholars, community leaders, public figures, and professionals from diverse fields.
The event served as a platform to celebrate excellence, honour impactful contributions and explore lasting solutions to the growing challenge of negative and distorted portrayal of Islam and Muslims in the media.
While the thought-provoking discussions, keynote addresses, goodwill messages, and the Award presentations formed the centrepiece of the occasion, another element quietly captured the admiration of attendees. It was the uniquely crafted MNAwards trophy, a plaque that stood not merely as an award but as a powerful symbol of identity, purpose and excellence.
As awardees and their representatives stepped forward to receive their plaques and certificates, many were struck by the elegance and symbolism embedded in the design. Carefully selected recipients under categories such as the Nigerian and Global Muslim Personality of the Year Awards and the 30 Muslim Women of Substance recognition received a trophy that was clearly designed to tell a story.
“Unlike conventional plaques that often rely on generic shapes and decorative embellishments, the MNAwards trophy possesses a distinct visual identity. Crafted from premium acrylic materials, the plaque, which stands at approximately 12 inches in height, combines simplicity with sophistication, creating a modern and memorable piece that reflects the values of the institution behind it.”
An Award Built on Purpose
Behind the elegant design of the MNAwards trophy lies a deeper story that is closely tied to the vision and mission of Muslim News Nigeria itself.
The concept behind the trophy was never to create just another ceremonial plaque. Rather, it was conceived as a visual identity for Muslim News Nigeria and a lasting symbol of the newspaper’s commitment to recognising excellence, leadership and service within the Muslim community.
The design process was deliberate and iterative. According to the Convener, Abubakar Abubakar, the trophy was carefully conceptualised to be instantly associated with the publication, leading to the adoption of the iconic “M” as the dominant feature. The idea went through several refinements before the final acrylic structure emerged. Acrylic was ultimately chosen over crystal or metal for its modern clarity, versatility and ability to create layered transparency that reflects light and meaning in a distinctive way.
For many years, Nigerian Muslims have raised concerns over imbalance in media coverage, especially about faith. While countless Muslims were making significant contributions in education, medicine, law, business, academia, technology, public service and humanitarian work, many of these achievements received little or no attention from mainstream media. At the same time, stories involving crimes committed by individuals bearing Muslim names often dominated headlines, sometimes creating distorted public perceptions about Islam itself.
One episode that amplifies these concerns was the case of Firdaus Amasa, the law graduate whose refusal to remove her hijab during the Call to Bar sparked national debate between 2017 and 2018. While the eventual victory affirmed her right to wear the hijab, the outcome did not receive comparable media attention, becoming a reference point in broader discussions about fairness and balance in representation.
Rather than simply joining the chorus of complaints, journalist and media analyst Rasheed Abubakar and his team chose a different path. He believes the solution was not only to critique existing structures but to build a platform capable of telling the stories that were being overlooked.
That conviction led to the establishment of the Muslim News Nigeria, a newspaper dedicated to documenting underrepresented Muslim stories, challenging stereotypes and presenting balanced narratives about Islam and Muslims in Nigeria and across the world.
Yet, for Abubakar, reporting alone was not enough. He believed that exceptional Muslim individuals and organisations deserved to be publicly celebrated, not only to acknowledge their contributions but also to inspire others and strengthen a culture of excellence within the Muslim community.
From that vision emerged the MNAwards, a recognition platform dedicated to honouring Muslims whose impact continues to shape the society positively.
The Structure Behind the Recognition
Since its inception in 2019, the MNAwards has evolved into a structured recognition platform anchored on two core categories: the Nigerian and the Global Muslim Personalities of the Year Awards as well as the 30 Muslim Women of Substance initiative.
The Personality Awards have held five editions since 2019. However, there were years when no awardees were announced in certain categories due to the platform’s strict merit-based standard, particularly where no individuals were considered to have met the threshold of exceptional impact within the reviewed period. In some cases, broader challenges affecting the oppressed Muslim communities also influenced the decision not to confer awards.
There were also periods when financial and sponsorship constraints affected the ability to stage physical ceremonies. In such instances, rather than abandon recognition entirely, the organisers produced special 16-page commemorative editions of Muslim News Nigeria, richly designed and widely distributed across major Islamic centres in Nigeria. These editions served as both documentation and celebration, ensuring that honourees were still publicly acknowledged.
Altogether, the platform has successfully held two physical Award ceremonies over the past seven years, including the most recent edition, with a continued commitment to sustaining it annually.
The second category, 30 Muslim Women of Substance, was introduced in 2022 to highlight the achievements of Muslim women in hijab across professional fields. It is anchored around symbolic global moments such as World Hijab Day (February 1) and International Women’s Day (March 8), reinforcing visibility for Muslim women in public life.
So far, two editions have been held – in 2022 and 2026, honouring a total of 60 Muslim women. The 2027 selection process is currently underway, with results expected in February 2027.
Across both categories, the MNAwards has recognised over 100 Muslim men and women from Nigeria and around the world. They include global figures such as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Islam Channel founder Mohamed Ali Harrath, and footballers Mesut Özil and Ousmane Dembélé.
In Nigeria, honourees include the Sultan of Sokoto, Prof. Isa Ali Pantami, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, Prof. AbdulMajeed Alaro, Prof. Yusuf Ali (SAN), Governor Umar Namadi and his wife, Hajiya Hadiza Umar Namadi, Prof. Olayinka Ramota Karim, Hajia Azeezat Muse Sadiq, Professor Khadijah Idowu, Dr Afusat Adesina, Builder Jelilat Oyinlade Abdul Hamid, and Professor Fatimah Abdulkareem.
Others include Professor Lateefah Durosinmi, Dr Maryam Jamila Ali, Princess Jemilat Omolola MKO Abiola Oyekunle, Hajia Mutiat Orolu-Balogun, Hajia Nymat Akashat-Zibiri, alongside several other distinguished scholars, professionals and women achievers across diverse fields of endeavour.
Initially beginning with seven categories, including law, health, media, finance, governance and politics, the Personality Awards have expanded to 11 categories, now including Muslim teachers, Muslim owned businesses and humanitarian organisations both locally and globally. The expansion reflects a growing and evolving archive of Muslim excellence across sectors.
The Meaning of the Moment
Beyond structure and symbolism, the essence of the MNAwards is most visible during the Award presentation itself.
As flashes from cameras illuminated the hall and applause echoed across the venue, recipients proudly lifted the distinctive “M”-shaped plaque before posing for photographs. In that moment, the trophy became more than an award, it became a symbol of recognition, insignia of belonging and hallmark achievement.
For many recipients, the plaque represents more than recognition. It serves as validation of years of dedication, sacrifice and service, often in fields where their contributions receive little public attention. In this way, the Award carries emotional weight as much as symbolic value.
Symbolism in Form and Design
At the heart of the trophy is the majestic and commanding letter “M”, the defining feature of the plaque and its most immediate visual identity.
More than an alphabet, the “M” serves as the visual signature of Muslim News Nigeria. It represents the newspaper itself, the Muslim community whose stories it amplifies, and the mission that inspired its creation. It also reflects Muslims making meaningful contributions across professions and societies.
Surrounding the central form is a geometric structure that conveys aspiration and upward movement. The rising lines reflect progress and continuous advancement, mirroring the journeys of the individuals being honoured.
A striking red peak crowns the upper section, symbolising excellence, ambition and the pursuit of higher ideals. Its upward orientation expresses leadership, growth and resilience in service to humanity.
The colour palette deepens this meaning. Blue represents trust, professionalism and journalistic integrity; white reflects truth and objectivity; while red signifies courage, sacrifice and determination. Together, they mirror the identity and values of Muslim News Nigeria.
The layered acrylic construction adds further sophistication. Transparent surfaces create depth and allow light to interact dynamically with the trophy, turning it into a living visual object rather than a static plaque.
Each plaque is accompanied by a specially designed certificate bearing the recipient’s name and citation, preserving the honour as part of a documented legacy of achievement.
A Trophy That Differs in Meaning
Unlike awards defined by gold plating, metallic finishes or imported crystal designs, the MNAwards plaque derives its prestige from symbolism and storytelling. Its value lies not in material excess, but in the meaning embedded in every element.
Conceived by Abubakar and his team, the design reflects a deliberate effort to create an award that embodies identity, excellence and purpose. Every detail, from structure to colour, communicates intent: to celebrate achievement, preserve stories and inspire future generations.
Legacy and Continuity
Over time, the MNAwards trophy has evolved into a recognisable symbol of distinction. Whether displayed in offices, homes or institutions, it instantly signals connection to one of Nigeria’s most respected Muslim recognition platforms.
The trophy also mirrors the growth of Muslim News Nigeria itself. From its establishment as a platform committed to fair and balanced reporting on Muslim affairs, the newspaper has evolved into a respected media institution whose influence now extends beyond journalism into recognition, documentation and community impact.
As the organisation looks toward future editions, the iconic “M” is expected to keep evolving as a symbol of Muslim excellence and achievement in Nigeria and beyond.
Long after the applause fades and the ceremony ends, the plaque continues to speak, telling a story of recognition, purpose and legacy at the heart of Muslim News Nigeria’s mission to celebrate excellence and inspire generations.
SOME OF THE AWARDEES as captured by Amusa Abdurrahman Oluwalogbon
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Nigerian Muslim Personalities of the Year 2024/2025
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