Mosaic is delighted that long-standing supporter and Board member Harris Bokhari has been awarded an OBE for his services to young people and inter-faith dialogue in HM The Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2015.
Since 2009, Harris has selflessly devoted a significant amount of his time in his support of Mosaic. Harris’ achievements at Mosaic include initiating the Mosaic Patrons Scheme, recruiting a large number of mentors and key supporters, and striving to ensure Mosaic delivers programmes of high quality.
Commenting on Harris’ award, Jonathan Freeman, Managing Director of Mosaic, said:
“Harris’ commitment to supporting disadvantaged communities is exemplary. The dedication he has shown to Mosaic, and so many other causes, is quite extraordinary and I am thrilled that these efforts have been recognised through this award.”
In addition to Mosaic, Harris has championed a wide range of other causes, committing himself to public service. In 2011, Harris founded the Naz Legacy Foundation to continue the work of his late father, Naz Bokhari OBE, the first Muslim/Asian head teacher in the UK.
Through the Foundation’s innovative programmes he has enabled hundreds of young people from deprived, under-represented and minority communities to visit the UK’s great cultural and state institutions for the first time, helping them find new role models and aspirations.
Furthermore, in 2013, Harris became the youngest person ever to be awarded, by his peers, the prestigious Beacon Award for Philanthropy Advocate - challenging the perception that minority communities only fund raise for their own concerns and concerns in their countries of origin. He has raised over £1.5 million for charities that support some of the most vulnerable children in this country.
The seeds of Mosaic were sown a few years before the official launch in 2007, when I was amongst several people invited to listen to an idea. HRH The Prince of Wales wanted to find a way of getting young British Muslims, often living in disadvantaged areas, to fulfil their...