A Bolton community leader has said “nothing’s going to stop me” after receiving a prestigious British Citizens Award in recognition of her work empowering Muslim women and girls.
Khadija Patel, founder of KRIMMZ Girls Youth Club, was honoured at a ceremony in Westminster last week for more than 15 years of community service.
Images of Patel collecting the award while wearing her niqab were widely shared on social media, prompting a wave of hostile comments from far-right Islamophobes who questioned how a woman wearing a face veil could receive an award for empowering women.
Others claimed her attire was incompatible with British values or women’s liberation, while many also came to her defence and praised her years of service to the local community.
Speaking to 5Pillars, Patel said she felt “humbled” to receive the award but stressed it belonged to the wider community rather than herself.
“This award wasn’t just for me, it was for the group that I volunteer for, KRIMMZ Girls Youth Club, and it’s for everybody around us to know that we are British citizens, and we can empower, and we can do things. Nothing’s going to stop me. My attire, my veil, my niqab is not going to stop me from doing what I do, and that’s empowering these young people and these women.”
Patel established KRIMMZ Girls Youth Club in 2009 after finding there were no mainstream services that met the needs of Muslim women seeking female-only spaces.
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She said the organisation has since grown into an inclusive community hub offering sports, cycling, swimming, children’s activities and skills sessions, helping women improve both their physical and mental wellbeing.
While many participants are Muslim women and girls, Patel stressed the project welcomes everyone, including non-Muslims who prefer female-only environments.
“We’re very inclusive. It’s not just Muslim only. It’s for the whole community,” she said, adding that greater dialogue between communities was key to breaking down barriers.
“Come and have a look. Have a conversation. No question is a silly question. Ask the question, and that’s the only way we’re going to unite.”
Responding to the online criticism, Patel said abuse was nothing new and would not deter her from serving her community.
“We have had critics before. I have my full reliance on Allah. But for me, it’s about carrying on. Nothing’s going to stop me. My attire, my veil, my niqab is not going to stop me from doing what I do, and that’s empowering these young people and these women.”
