In commemoration of International Women’s Day celebrated worldwide on March 8 each year, The All Ceylon Muslim Women’s Association (ACMWA) chose to initiate a Biennial Awards Ceremony scheduled to be held on Sunday March 3, 2024 in grand style, an ACMWA news release said.

‘’The timing couldn’t have been better planned as they celebrate the The All Ceylon

Muslim Women’s Association’s 71st Anniversary. The Association chose to highlight the notable achievements of Muslim Women including the Malay, Borah and Memon communities in Sri Lanka. The Imra Awards for Excellence was created to recognise these achievers,’’ the release said.

‘’Organisers are working hard to make this a reality considering the time frame in hand. IMRA in Arabic refers to a woman with the following attributes: power, growth oriented, strong, visionary, adventurous, freedom loving, spiritual, energetic, curious and magnetic. Hence, the apt selection of the name of the Awards.’’

The event seeks to celebrate the notable achievements of Muslim Women who have been a source of inspiration and service to the community at large. In initiating a Biennial Awards Ceremony, it is proposed to raise awareness by highlighting the outstanding achievements of inspirational women for their willingness to rise to the occasion, demonstrate exemplary drive and put forth phenomenal efforts to better the community, the release added.

It is proposed to recognize the achievement of Muslim women in the following fields:

PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE AWARDS:

Law & Advocacy, Healthcare, Banking & Finance, Education, Media, including Print & Digital, Hospitality & Tourism, TEM (Science, technology, engineering and mathematics – a category meant to attract the younger generation.).

There will also be ENTREPRENEURIAL EXCELLENCE AWARDS, ENVIRONMENT & SOCIAL IMPACT EXCELLENCE AWARD, ART & CULTURE EXCELLENCE AWARD and TWO LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS FOR WOMEN OF OTHER COMMUNITIES

The event is being organized to also raise funds for the Denara Vocational Training Institute, a subsidiary of the ACMWA, to provide scholarships for the under-privileged young Muslim Women attending classes at the Centre. In addition, part proceeds will be held in a Trust Fund for continuing Biennial Awards night celebrating Women of Achievement.

The Organizers are honoured to have the Keynote Speaker at the event Dr.

Desamanya Radhika Coomaraswamy who served as the Under Secretary General of the United Nations, Special Representative for Children in armed conflict.

The adjudication process will be carried out by the Knowledge Partner KPMG Sri Lanka.

Nominations are now open and can be accessed by using the link below:

https://forms.gle/smMk5dwZNW78CAsm6

Supporting documents should include the following:

– Brief Bio of the nominee, a synopsis (within 500 words) of why the nominee merits this award. accolades/awards received during the course of her career

– CLOSING DATE: January 15, 2024. SUBMIT APPLICATIONS TO:

DENARA TRAINING INSTITUTE, C/O The All Ceylon Muslim Women’s Association

191/50, MANGALA GARDENS, COLOMBO 5.

Tel: + 011 250 5646

Mobile: 077 853 9890 – Bushra

Email: imraawardsforexcellence@gmail.com

Website: www.denaratraininginstitute.com