Jul
14
Birmingham Bahá’í wins coveted Jewel award
Filed Under Baha'i community, People, Social action | Leave a Comment
An internationally recognised infertility consultant from the Midlands – who provides services in gynaecology, assisted conception and early pregnancy care - has been honoured for his work.
Masoud Afnan, 51, a member of the Birmingham Bahá’í community – was presented with a prestigious Lloyds TSB Jewel Award at a ceremony in the city on Saturday 11 July.
The Lloyds TSB Jewel Awards celebrate “the wealth of experience, expertise and success which is becoming increasingly evident in Britain’s Asian community today”.
Mr Afnan was named the winner in the “Healthcare & Education” category which honours “outstanding achievements being made by British Asians in public and private healthcare and education sectors throughout the UK.”
“From an inspirational flash of brilliance to the relentless day-to-day pursuit of excellence, it is these individuals’ achievements that epitomise the exacting standards required to maintain healthcare and education in Britain today,” says the Award citation.
A consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the Birmingham Women’s Hospital since 1992, Mr Afnan has specialised in the field of infertility and assisted conception since 1983. He has served as an Inspector for the UK Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, and a Board member of the British Fertility Society, as well as chairing its training committee. Mr Afnan is the author of more than 60 publications.
“It is a great privilege to be honoured in this way,” said Mr Afnan, who was born in Ethiopia to a Bahá’í family. Accepting the award, he remarked that celebrating diversity is a mark of true civilization. He drew the attention of the audience to the plight of minority groups around the world who are systematically persecuted, and in particular to the Bahá’í community of Iran, seven of whose leaders are awaiting trial simply for professing their belief in the Bahá’í Faith.
“Our faith instills into us from an early age the spirit of service, a love of people, and the importance of striving for excellence. I am happy I have had the opportunity to practice these principles in my profession,” said Mr Afnan, pictured above left at the ceremony with comedian Inder Manocha – also a member of the Bahá’í community.
Three Lloyds TSB Jewel Award ceremonies take place each year covering the north, midlands and south of the United Kingdom. The awards are regionalised across the three territories to celebrate the impact British Asians are making within the commercial and corporate sectors.
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