We want to give Muslim writers confidence in their abilities and offer a platform to communicate their experiences and creativity through the power of the pen."

[3] At the event, Muslim speakers and writers including Qaisra Shahraz, Moazzem Begg, Salma Yaqoob and Faraz Yousufzai spoke about their experiences on getting published.

[2] After 10,000 submissions of work was received in 12 months,[4] on 29 March 2008, the second Muslim Writers Awards event took place on at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham.

It was attended by more than 1,000 people including the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Baroness Sayeeda Warsi and guest of honour Jermaine Jackson, whilst James Caan, who was unable to make the event, greeted the audience with a video message.

The event was supported by Muslim Hands and sponsored by the Penguin Group, Puffin Books, Islam Channel and the Brit Writers Awards.

[14][15][16] Guests included authors Aamer Hussein, Roopa Farooki, Irfan Master and Shelina Zahra Janmohamed amongst wider literary and publishing industry figures.

[1] In November 2012, the sixth Muslim Writers Awards took place in London and featured a broad range of categories from screen play to novel writing to journalism.

The ceremony was attended by shortlisted entrants from across the UK and abroad, with parents, teachers and an array of special guests from the world of publishing and journalism.

The occasion was launched through a live interactive performance of poetry, percussion and painting, choreographed by Mohammed Ali (also known as Aerosol Arabic).

This year's panel of judges included award-winning authors Sufiya Ahmed (Secrets of the Henna Girl) and Na'ima B. Robert (Far From Home).