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A doctor from Leeds who survived a life-threatening illness to help others, and Musharaf Asghar, the inspirational star of Channel 4’s Educating Yorkshire, were among the winners of the Yorkshire Asian Young Achiever Awards (YAYAs), announced at a gala awards event last night (November 27) at the Cedar Court Hotel in Bradford.
The awards, founded by Bradford-based charity QED Foundation and supported by title sponsor York St John University, celebrate the achievements of young people aged 16 to 35 of South Asian heritage who were born in or live and work in Yorkshire, and who have overcome deprivation and disadvantage, or overcome barriers to become successful in their chosen fields.
Twenty-six nominees were shortlisted for the 10 award categories at this year’s YAYAs – now in its fifth year. And the winners are...
The 2025 overall winner award, sponsored by York St John University, went to Dr Madiah Mahmood, from Leeds.
Madiah is a resident doctor at Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. Despite coming from a lower socio-economic background and initially not getting the grades, entered medical school via a foundation year. Madiah survived life-threatening autoimmune encephalitis in 2016 and graduated six years later. She has gone on to raise awareness of the condition for the Encephalitis Society and has introduced new innovations in her department.
Musharaf Asghar, 29, from Dewsbury, won the Achievement in Media award, sponsored by LocaliQ.
Musharaf, who rose to fame through Channel 4’s hit TV series Educating Yorkshire,has lived with a stammer since childhood. Despite bullying and social anxiety, he earned a broadcast journalism degree, using techniques to manage his speech. Now a motivational speaker, he inspires students to overcome challenges and explore diverse careers. He develops workshops on leadership and social anxiety, supports children with special needs, and shows that a stammer doesn’t define a person’s potential.
Nohmaan Hussain, 26, won the Achievement in Sport award, sponsored by Janan. Nohmaan, from Sheffield, is a rising star in boxing who balances his sporting career with a passion for medicine. Nohmaan is a bantamweight fighter and outside the ring he works as an NHS Cardiac Intensive Care Practitioner. Before going pro, he was active in amateur boxing, representing the University of Sheffield and winning gold at British University Championships (BUCs).
Adil Mohammed was awarded the Achievement in Health, Mental Health, or Healthcare award, sponsored by the University of York. Adil, a 24-year-old paramedic with Yorkshire Ambulance Service, grew up in a deprived area of Sheffield. Despite a lack of role models, he earned a first-class honours degree in Paramedic Practice. Committed to giving back, he led a campaign to install two community defibrillators in Tinsley, raising funds and working with local organisations to make life-saving equipment accessible for the first time in the area.
The Arts and Creative Industries award, sponsored by the National Science and Media Museum, went to Awais Hussain from Bradford.
Awais, 24, is co-founder of Apna Heritage, a UK charity celebrating South Asian heritage. He leads projects on storytelling, genealogy, and culture. In 2024, he launched a project on South Asian migration, aiming to document histories and build a global platform for heritage exploration.
Mohammed Ali Adnan, 19, from Bradford, won the Education category, sponsored by the University of Leeds.
Ali is a wheelchair user living with Spina Bifida who is studying at Bradford College where he inspires people with his determination and positive mindset. Ali hopes to go to university and embark on a career in air traffic control. He plays an active role in college events and plays for Bradford City Disability Football team.
Falaq Ujjala, 32, won the Private Sector / Young entrepreneur award, sponsored by Morrisons.
Falaq, from Bradford, opened Skylight Lounge in 2024, a vibrant café and community space. Falaq grew up in a single-parent household and created Skylight Lounge as a safe haven and welcoming space for creatives, students and the community.
The Public Sector award, sponsored by Born in Bradford, was won by 21-year-old Asqa Saleem.
Aqsa, from Dewsbury, is a police officer and trainee detective. Overcoming cultural barriers, Aqsa is a visible role model for young Asian females. She inspires others and hopes to be a positive role model at the same time as fulfilling her duties as a police officer.
The Not-for-Profit category, sponsored by Bradford 2025, was won by Aleem Bashir from Bradford.
Aleem, the 32-year-old CEO of University of Bradford Student Union, is a committed public servant and former imam who leads grassroots initiatives. Growing up near Manningham and Girlington amid social inequality and hardship, Aleem inspires others in his community through dedicated leadership and service.
Sabba Nosheen, 31, won the Overcoming Life Obstacles category, sponsored by Leeds Community Foundation.
Sabba, from Bradford, was raised by a single mother in a struggling home and faced challenges at school. Married by the time she was 17, she has three children with severe allergies. Juggling multiple jobs as a single mother, Sabba now runs Up and Away Events, her own balloon art and event decor business.
Business leaders and influencers attended the awards, which were presented by broadcaster and stand-up comedian, Noreen Khan, with Rami Baitieh, Chief Executive of Morrisons PLC, delivering the keynote speech. Fouzia Younis MBE, theUK's Consul-General to Toronto and the first British Muslim woman to head a diplomatic post in the British diplomatic service, also gave a speech, inspiring the audience with her own success story.
Video messages of support – to mark QED’s 35th anniversary – were also sent fromhigh profile figures in their field, including Yorkshire businessman and philanthropist Sir James Hill OBE, Sir Mufti Hamid Patel CBE (education leader, chief executive of Star Academies), Julia Middleton (founder of Common Purpose, a global leadership development organisation), Sir Alan Parker (a corporate adviser and chair of Brunswick Group), and Anne Keast-Butler (director of GCHQ).
Dr Mohammed Ali OBE, QED founder and chief executive, said: “The YAYAs are all about young people and celebrating their talents and achievements – not only the winners, but all of the nominees.
“It was a privilege to share the stage with so many gifted individuals and listen to their inspiring and often moving stories.
“I would like to thank all of our sponsors, for without their generous support we simply wouldn’t be able to host these awards.”
Adeeba Malik CBE, deputy chief executive of QED Foundation, added: “In these uncertain times, the YAYAs provide an important platform for our young people to showcase their skills and they are a reminder, too, of the great wealth of talent that exists here in Yorkshire.”
Set up in 2020 by QED Foundation to mark the organisation’s 30th anniversary, the YAYAs have quickly established themselves as one of the key events in Bradford’s awards calendar.
The Bradford-based charity was founded in 1990 by Dr Mohammed Ali and today is widely recognised for its pioneering work in tackling inequality and promoting social and economic advancement among ethnic minority groups, both here in the UK and abroad.
For more information on QED Foundation CLICK HERE
Images: Aasadour Guzelian
