Bradford community campaigner Dr Abdul Bary Malik will receive an award for Asians who serve as role models in British society.

Ministers, MPs, peers, faith leaders and businessmen will be at the British Community Honours Awards at a dinner in the House of Lords on Monday to recognise the individual efforts and contributions of British Asians.

Dr Malik, a commentator on Muslim issues, said he would proudly tell his audience that he owed everything to Bradford. “I arrived in Bradford aged 21 with just £5 in my pocket and this is the city which has given me everything,” Dr Malik said.

“London people can be negative about Bradford, and although when you are awarded any honour it is a humbling experience, it will be a matter of pride to stand there and say “I am from Bradford! I am a Bradfordian and always will be.”

Now 59, he was born in Kenya, raised in India and Pakistan and is married with three children born in the city. Dr Malik was self-employed and is credited with introducing Britain to frozen curry.

Made a magistrate in 1987, he served as a member of Lord Chancellor’s Advisory Committee for Bradford from 1995 to 2005.

In 1996, while working for Barnardo’s and Disability Information Advice Network (DIAL) he wrote a first book in Urdu on disability rights and benefits.

Himself stricken with arthritis, he also won a national award for providing information to the disabled communities.

In 2004 he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Bradford University and a year later received a lifetime achievement award from Bradford Council for his service to communities.

But it was in 2006 when he gained a national platform after calling on ethnic communities to learn English and be loyal to Britain.

“My views on those things have only strengthened since then,” said Dr Malik.

In 2007 Dr Malik was awarded an MBE for his services to the Ethnic Communities of Bradford.

He is a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community and is president of its Bradford branch.