Kenyan scholar wins Madinah Islamic University Alumni Innovation Award
Sheikh Ali Dzimba Omar was recognised in the innovation and entrepreneurship category during the fifth edition of the Distinguished Alumni Awards programme for the year 1447 AH.
A Kenyan scholar has earned international recognition after being selected for the Distinguished Alumni Awards of the Islamic University of Madinah.
Sheikh Ali Dzimba Omar, who is based in the United Kingdom, was named among the recipients of the prestigious award presented by the Islamic University of Madinah, placing Kenya among five countries recognised globally this year.
He was selected from a pool of more than 150,000 alumni and recognised for his academic excellence, community engagement, and efforts in innovation and entrepreneurship, as well as for representing the university globally.
Sheikh Ali was recognised in the innovation and entrepreneurship category during the fifth edition of the Distinguished Alumni Awards programme for the year 1447 AH.
The award was presented by Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, alongside the university’s Chancellor, Dr Saleh bin Ali Al-Uqla, during the institution’s 62nd graduation ceremony held at the King Salman International Convention Centre in Madina on April 27.
Other individuals recognised in this year’s awards came from France, the United Kingdom, the Philippines, Suriname, and São Tomé and Príncipe.
Born in Kenya, Sheikh Ali later relocated to the United Kingdom after graduating from the university to pursue further studies and research. He is a member of the British Board of Scholars and Imams and has served as an imam and khateeb at various mosques in the United Kingdom.
The Sheikh who serves as a chaplain in the UK armed forces made history in 2018 when he became the first imam to serve in the Royal Air Force where he is a Squadron Leader.