The former head of the British Muslim Forum, Zareen Roohi Ahmed won the Asian Jewel Awards by Lloyds TSB on Saturday 21st June for her major achievements & contributions to Muslim engagement and counter-extremism issues. Zareen now heads up the Muslim Communities & Counter-Extremism Division at Waterhouse Consulting Group. She was the first woman to head up a major UK Muslim organisation and following 7/7 led on the critical agenda of tackling extremism, building community confidence and promoting inter-cultural and faith relations. She established numerous projects across the country, developed various strategies and trained many people (including central & local governments both at home & globally) to work effectively in this field. Her previous roles include being the National Operations Director of the Experience Corps and various other senior executive roles.

The Asian Jewel Awards are one of the major and most prestigious annual awards in the UK. Zareen said:

“I am absolutely delighted to have received this award. It is a major honour for me and I hope an encouragement to other women as well. There is a lot to do in tackling extremism and I am determined to continue to contribute to help create a society where we can value our commonalities and live in harmony”.

Dr. Waqar Azmi OBE, Chairman & Managing Partner of Waterhouse Consulting Group said:

“This is a proud moment for all of us at Waterhouse Consulting to see Zareen being recognised for her major contributions to tackling extremism. Following 7/7 she has worked under difficult circumstances and with great determination and tenacity. Her role has helped to shape both policy and practice in the UK.”

Notes to Editors:

• Zareen Roohi Ahmed stepped down as chief executive of the British Muslim Forum to join Waterhouse Consulting Group in June 2008.
• If you would like to interview Zareen then please contact Rohail Aslam, Director at Waterhouse Consulting Group on (0121) 250 3543 or e-mail at: raslam@waterhouseconsulting.co.uk
• Waterhouse Consulting Group is one of UK’s most dynamic consulting firms specialising in Muslim Communities and Counter-Extremism consulting.
• For further information on the Asian Jewel Awards please visit: http://www.jewelawards.tv