A HOST of inspirational people from the Bradford district are vying for victory in this year's Yorkshire Asian Young Achievers Awards. 

Now in their third year, the awards which are dubbed the 'YAYAs' celebrate rising stars who have overcome deprivation and disadvantage or have broken down traditional barriers to progress.

Telegraph & Argus Yusef Alam is among the 33 shortlisted candidates for the awards.

Others from Bradford are: 

  • Usama Mujtaba who is helping to make history as one of only a few Asians in professional football in North America
  • Zahida Sultan, believed to be the only female Asian hijabi train conductor for Northern Trains Limited
  • Junior doctor Anish Mistry

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Anish MistryAnish Mistry (Image: YAYAs)

  • Mariyah Kayat who is creating opportunities for women to be themselves
  • Mariam Rashid who helped to produce a show about female Muslim boxers

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Mariam RashidMariam Rashid (Image: YAYAs)

  • Awais Hussain who is working to preserve his heritage language
  • Video maker Pishdaad Modaressi Chahardehi
  • Bilal Akhtar who launched his own diner after serving time for dangerous driving
  • Aminah Ahmed, who is supporting international students
  • Iqrah Ali whose ambition is to become a pharmacist
  • Behaviour Support worker Iesa Sabir
  • Associate Investment Manager Habib Karimi
  • Student midwife Jawairiya Khan

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Jawairiya KhanJawairiya Khan (Image: YAYAs)

  • Hunniya Akram who has supported research within the NHS
  • Zain Hussain who hasn’t let his health issues hinder his education
  • Police officer Mehr Ahmar
  • Thanim Adil Hussain, a games design lecturer at Keighley College
  • Volunteer Sahar Ijaz leads a litter picking group and women's running club under her community group 'Together We Are'
  • Bingley restaurant owner Yeasin Mohammed

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Yeasin MohammedYeasin Mohammed (Image: YAYAs)

  • Balloon academy entrepreneur Haseeb Hussain
  • Bradford Council worker Muhammed Waqar Ahmed
  • Maihvish Iqbal who was shortlisted in 2022 for ‘Skin Specialist of the Year’ by the British Hair and Beauty Awards. Maihvish established her business, AestheticsbyM, at the beginning of the Covid lockdown.
  • Optometrist, Benji Chandra, of York, is also among the shortlist. Benji works for Bradford Hospitals and York Hospitals.

Bradford-based QED Foundation worked with their headline partners, York St John University, to organise the awards.

Dr Mohammed Ali OBE, QED founder and chief executive, said: “We are absolutely thrilled with the quality of entries from across Yorkshire. Many have overcome great obstacles to achieve what they have and it’s wonderful to be able to share their stories with a wider audience and highlight their successes and achievements in such a positive way.”

Other sponsors and supporters of the awards include: Regal Foods; the University of York; the National Science & Media Museum; LOCALiQ; People Cert; Morrisons; Bradford Council; the Home Office; Barnardo’s; MyLahore and the University of Bradford.

The awards will be held on November 11.