A handful of Bermudians will be honoured for their service to the community by a group of visiting Muslims.

The awards will be presented this weekend as part of a conference organised by a popular US publication, Muslim Journal.

Said a spokeswoman: “The honorees, who are both Muslim and non-Muslim, from Bermuda and the United States, include Diana Nash (Distinguished Citizen’s Award), keynote speaker D Paul Montiero (Public Service Award), guest speaker Imam Basim Muwwakkil (Imam of the Year Award), Imam Cromwell Shakir (Public Service Award), Judith Hall Bean (Civil Service Award), Ra’ees Tankard (Progressive Young Adult Award), Imam Abdel Nurriddin (Monte I Fateen Sr Award) and Rasool Malik (Businessman of the Year Award). Clara Muhammad School will also receive a special award.”

The celebrations start on Friday. The weekend’s events include a fashion show at the Earl Cameron Theatre, workshops and the awards presentations at the Fairmont Southampton on Saturday night.

The event could represent “the largest group of Muslims to convene in Bermuda”, the spokeswoman added.

The Muslim Journal is a weekly newspaper publication that focuses on issues in the Muslim community. It was one of the most widely read newspapers ever produced by an African-American organisation and was founded by Nation of Islam Leader Elijah Muhammad in May 1960.

For more information on the weekend’s events visit www.muslimjournal.net/ATimeToBeGrateful.

Tickets to Friday’s fashion show and cultural night are $20 and available at the Brunswick Street Bakery in Hamilton.