Trustee Imam Monawar Hussain awarded Sternberg Interfaith Gold Medallion

We would like to congratulate our trustee Imam Monawar Hussain on receiving the prestigious Sternberg Interfaith Gold Medallion for his work building relationships between the different faith communities in the UK. The award ceremony was hosted by The Provost and Headmaster at Eton College this week.

Established in 1986, the Sternberg Interfaith Gold Medallion is awarded by the Trustees of the Sir Sigmund Sternberg Charitable Foundation to those who have “endeavoured to make an exceptional contribution to the improvement of understanding between faiths in the UK, and across the world”. Some of the previous recipients of the award include Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Pope John Paul II, Cardinal Basil Hume and President Mary Robinson of Ireland.

Imam Monawar Hussain, MBE DL says: “I feel deeply moved and honoured to have been awarded this most prestigious award. I accept this on behalf of my wonderful family, my friends and all those who have supported me in my work to build deeper understanding between our diverse faiths and cultures in the UK.”

“At a time when populist and extremist narratives of hate, division and violence are being propagated by extremists, it is more important than ever that we continue to stand united in our common humanity, love, compassion, understanding and respect for one another.”

Monawar is Founder of The Oxford Foundation – a charity that promotes religious and racial harmony through educational and arts-based programmes. He is also a Deputy Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, Muslim tutor and Imam at Eton College, Muslim chaplain at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and, we are pleased to say, a member of The Oxford Trust’s Board of Trustees.