The Muslim Women’s Council (MWC) is deeply honoured that our beloved Chief Executive and Founder, Bana Gora, was posthumously presented with the Special Recognition Award 2026 at the BPA Empowering Women Awards, held on Thursday 25 June 2026.
The award celebrates Bana’s outstanding lifetime of service, recognising her unwavering commitment to empowering women, strengthening communities and championing education, inclusion and social justice. Throughout her life, Bana dedicated herself to creating opportunities for others and inspiring positive change across Bradford and beyond.
Members of the Muslim Women’s Council were proud to attend the ceremony, where Bana’s remarkable legacy was celebrated among many inspiring women from across the UK. It was a moving reminder that although Bana is no longer with us, her vision and impact continue to shape lives and communities every day.
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Andleeb Hanif and Nadeem Hanif for their heartfelt tribute to Bana during the evening. Their words beautifully reflected her compassion, leadership and lifelong dedication to serving others.
We also congratulate everyone recognised at this year’s BPA Empowering Women Awards. The event highlighted the extraordinary contributions women continue to make across education, healthcare, business, public service, community leadership and many other fields, inspiring future generations to lead with purpose and compassion.
As we continue the work Bana began, we remain committed to carrying forward her vision through initiatives that empower women, strengthen families and build resilient communities. Her legacy lives on not only through the projects she established, but through the countless lives she touched with kindness, wisdom and unwavering faith.
We pray that Allah (SWT) grants our beloved sister, Bana Gora, the highest ranks of Jannatul Firdaus, accepts her lifelong service as a source of ongoing reward, and enables us to continue building upon the legacy she so passionately created. Ameen.
