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Nottinghamshire PCC congratulates diversity campaigner on MBE

Asad Fazil

Asad Fazil

A diversity campaigner and long-standing community champion will be presented with an MBE at a special ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

Asad Fazil, who was recently appointed a Community Ambassador on behalf of Nottinghamshire’s Violence Reduction Unit (VRU), will receive the honour for services to the community.

Mr Fazil is founder/director of Nottingham-based community organisation Al Hurraya which he launched in 2014 to offer specialist support to Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Refugees (BAMER) and new emerging communities to help them overcome the barriers and social issues impacting their lives.   

Al-Hurraya provides a wealth of culturally-specific services including early intervention workshops which raise awareness on healthy relationships, gang culture, gun and knife crime, substance misuse, grooming, radicalisation and other issues.

The organisation, which has previously received grants from the PCC and VRU to deliver its support, also operates the Al Hurraya Women’s Group providing help to women who have been affected by their partner’s substance misuse and developed the first UK-based Islamic 12-step recovery programme for individuals who want to tackle addictions.

Asad Fazil said: “It was a huge surprise when I opened the letter.  I feel very honoured and grateful.  I enjoy what I do and it is amazing to have my work recognised in this way.  

“It's fantastic - it's not something I ever thought would happen to me – but I am over the moon.”

Congratulating Mr Fazil, Nottinghamshire’s newly-elected Police and Crime Commissioner Caroline Henry said: “This is wonderful news, not just for Asad but also for all those he has helped over the years.

“Al Hurraya works tirelessly on behalf of our BAMER communities, working in close partnership with the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, the police, local authorities and voluntary partners to develop joint solutions to the problems impacting individuals and families and reducing the risk of harm.

“Asad’s dedication and drive over the years have transformed lives across Nottinghamshire and helped build supportive, cohesive communities. He is truly deserving of this recognition.”

Mr Fazil is among a team of volunteer Community Ambassadors recruited by the VRU to use their experience and professional skills to help tackle violence and vulnerability.   

The team, who all have proven success in challenging problem behaviour and supporting people at risk of crime to change, is part of the VRU’s public health approach to crime which aims to empower communities to take a proactive role to safety.

Dave Wakelin, VRU Director, said: “We are incredibly proud of Asad’s achievements with Al-Hurraya and more recently his role as a Community Ambassador for the VRU.

“We feel very lucky to benefit from Asad’s experience and knowledge as an organisation and appreciate the hard work he invests into preventing crime and protecting those at risk.

“Asad continues to do everything possible to make a difference to our communities and his MBE is thoroughly deserved.” 

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Media enquiries:  Sallie Blair 07702 541401

Posted on Saturday 12th June 2021
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