Community leader honoured by University of Leicester for outstanding public service

Distinguished community leader Suleman Nagdi MBE DL has received an honorary award from the University of Leicester.

 For more than 40 years, Suleman has dedicated his time to public service in criminal justice, counter-extremism, community safety and the charity sector to name but a few. He is also a passionate advocate for improved healthcare provision.

 Suleman accepted an honorary Doctorate of Laws award from the University during its first summer graduation ceremony, held at De Montfort Hall today (Tuesday 15 July).

 Honoured with an MBE in 2002 for his significant contributions to community cohesion and public order, Suleman was appointed Deputy Lieutenant for Leicestershire in 2008. His accolades include a National Police Award alongside Baroness Doreen Lawrence, complemented by numerous recognitions from NGOs and charitable organisations.

 Suleman has held several positions in the community. He has served the FMO for four decades, MBCOL for three decades and NBC for a decade. 

He was chair of the Leicestershire Inter Faith Forum and is a life member of the Leicester Council of Faiths, Faith Leaders Forum and many other dialogue groups involving Muslims, Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, and Jews. 

 Suleman said: “My longstanding partnership with the University of Leicester has been particularly meaningful. From hosting Archbishop George Carey's seminal 2004 lecture on interfaith harmony to chairing critical discussions with Baroness Warsi on tackling religious hatred, I've been privileged to contribute to the university's vital work in building bridges between communities.

 “Our collaboration has delivered tangible change, most notably through groundbreaking research with Professor Guy Rutty developing alternative autopsy techniques, and through unifying initiatives like Together in Hope with Leicester City FC and the Diocese. These projects exemplify the powerful synergy between academic excellence, faith leadership and community engagement that the University of Leicester so brilliantly fosters.

 “While deeply moved to accept this honour, I do so conscious that it reflects the collective efforts of countless colleagues, students and fellow citizens who share our vision for a more just and harmonious society. It strengthens my determination to continue this essential work together.”

 Suleman has also provided evidence to several high-profile UK enquiries including Leveson, the review of Contest strategy (giving evidence to cross party MPs in the House of Commons), Reform of the House of Lords, UK Bill of Rights and the Commission on Religion & Belief in Public Life.  

 For several years, he served as a magistrate in Leicester and was a trustee of the Futures Unlocked organisation, which looks at rehabilitation of young prisoners at the Glen Parva Young Offenders’ Centre in Leicestershire. He served as a governor on the Board of the highly reputable, East Midlands Community Contact Unit (EMCCU), which supports people, deemed at risk of radicalisation. 

 In addition, Suleman continues and has trained over 2,000 frontline staff from the police, probation, prison, local authorities, education, and the health sector on the Government's CONTEST Strategy. The training analyses religious and political ideologies. His counter-extremism work has taken him beyond the UK to continental Europe.  

 President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leicester, Professor Nishan Canagarajah, said: “There is no doubt that Suleman embodies all that we strive for here at the University of Leicester. 

 “His exceptional work across the multi-cultural communities of this city, county and beyond, is testament to being a true Citizen of Change and it is this exceptional legacy that makes him thoroughly deserving of this honour.”