Welsh-Pakistani awarded MBE for services to community cohesion

LONDON: British-Pakistani Moawia Bin-Sufyan has been awarded the prestigious honour of Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) by King Charles III in the 2025 New Year’s Honours List for his outstanding contributions to community cohesion and inter-faith relations in South Wales.

For over two and a half decades, Moawia has been working in the voluntary and charity sectors, reflecting a lifelong passion for positively impacting lives and building stronger, more inclusive communities.

Moawia currently holds several key positions, including Investment Director, Wales Regional Coordinator for a military charity, and governor at the largest Further Education College in the UK. 

He is also actively involved in numerous non-executive and public appointments with organisations in housing, education, charity, judiciary, and health with the likes of the Ministry of Justice, Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, St John Ambulance Cymru, Welsh Government, ITV Wales, the Independent Custody Visitors Association, and the United Nations.

Moawia served in the British Army, where he gained invaluable experience that helped shape his dedication to public life. 

As a veteran himself, his military background deepened his commitment to supporting veterans and their families. He currently oversees veteran support services across all Welsh prisons, providing support both during incarceration and post-release.

Beyond his professional work, Moawia is involved in philanthropy and humanitarian efforts. He founded a charity providing free health and education services in Pakistan, personally contributing over £175,000 to these efforts over the past 20 years.

Moawia’s ancestral roots lie in Jalandhar, India, and Toba Tek Singh, Pakistan, where his parents instilled in him a strong sense of duty to serve others. 

Inspired by his father, Dr Sufyan, and his uncle, Ch Mukhtar Ali, Moawia has devoted his efforts to supporting health and education in Pakistan, including supporting St John Ambulance in Karachi, which was founded in 1940, with its headquarters in London, UK.

In response to receiving the MBE, Moawia told Geo News: "I am deeply humbled and honoured to have been awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours List. As I reflect on this recognition, I feel a mixture of gratitude and concern, particularly as I think about the devastation so many are facing, especially in South Asia, the Middle East, and the countless individuals who are struggling and enduring hardship to provide for their loved ones".

"As a Muslim, I am guided by the values of compassion, justice, and service to others. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, 'The best of people are those that bring the most benefit to the rest of mankind'. This principle has always been at the heart of my work, inspiring me to dedicate my life to supporting and uplifting those in need," he said. 

He added: "While this award is a personal milestone, it primarily recognises everyone who has worked tirelessly alongside me, prioritising our community and country. This is a collective achievement, reflecting the efforts, dedication, and compassion of those I have had the privilege of working with and the communities we serve.

"I remain committed to continuing this work, building on the foundation of collaboration and service that has been central to my journey. This recognition strengthens my resolve to continue giving back and advocating for positive change in the UK and Pakistan," he said.