Judges

Professor Dr. Kossay K. Alahmady is the Iraqi Cultural Attaché in the United Kingdom since 2025 and the former President of the University of Mosul (2019–2024). A civil and environmental engineer, he holds a PhD from Saint Petersburg University and a postdoctoral fellowship in Environmental Engineering from the University of North Texas. Before his presidency, he served as Dean of the College of Environmental Science and Technology. His research focuses on water and wastewater treatment, with numerous published studies. He has led academic initiatives in sustainability, reforestation, and environmental education, and currently works to strengthen academic collaboration between Iraqi and British universities while supporting Iraqi students in the UK.

AbdulRahman Aljaberi is a UK-based social media activist and real estate professional. He is dedicated to supporting Arab creatives and entrepreneurs in Britain and actively contributes to community initiatives that promote collaboration, innovation, and a positive image of Arabs within British society.

Katia Youssef is a Lebanese-British journalist based in London and a correspondent for Al-Araby Al-Jadeed (The New Arab). She holds a degree in Political and Administrative Sciences from the Lebanese University and covers social and political issues affecting Arab and diaspora communities in the UK. Passionate about the power of media to drive positive change, she is dedicated to using her journalism to support volunteer initiatives and strengthen Arab presence and engagement in British public life.

Mona Adam is an elected Green Party Councillor for the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, and the Founder and CEO of Shaman, a social organization dedicated to dialogue and community empowerment. She also serves as a Board Member at Paddington Development Trust. Her work focuses on fostering open dialogue, driving community-led change, and promoting social and cultural diplomacy.

Sabah Al-Mukhtar is an Iraqi lawyer with a Bachelor’s degree in Law from the University of Baghdad and a Master’s from the University of London. He serves as President of the Arab Lawyers Association in Britain, representing nearly 90 lawyers of Arab origin. With over four decades of legal practice in London, he has also worked as a legal advisor for national oil companies in Iraq and Abu Dhabi. A member of the Royal Institute of Arbitrators, Al-Mukhtar brings extensive experience in international law and advocacy.

Dr. Samer Jamous is an academic and strategic management consultant working with Cranfield University on its Executive Leadership Development Program. He leads Arabic content development and project evaluation for the Cranfield Leadership Development Program, funded by the Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF) in Saudi Arabia. He is also the Director of the King George V Social Centre and the Arabic School in Derby. Dr. Jamous previously held senior leadership roles, including Executive Director of Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Consulting Group (Qatar), Advisor to the Minister of Youth and Sports (Qatar), Head of Strategic Planning at Al Rayyan Media Group, and Senior Manager at Palladium Consulting – Middle East.

Samira Mellouki is a Moroccan journalist and correspondent for Akhbarna Al-Jalia and Maroc Media 24, and a social activist who has lived in London for more than 31 years. Alongside her journalistic work, she is a prominent digital influencer who uses her platforms to engage with the Moroccan and wider Arab communities. Her work focuses on social awareness, family protection, and the prevention of domestic violence, driven by her belief that strong families are the foundation of strong societies. Samira’s media mission reflects her conviction that words carry responsibility and that journalism should be a force for awareness, compassion, and community connection.

Tahrir Waswas is a Palestinian-born business consultant and community activist based in Edinburgh and a mother of six talented children. She has founded and led several initiatives promoting Arab and Islamic identity among families and younger generations in Edinburgh, with a focus on positive and safe integration within Scottish society. She co-founded the Amal Edinburgh community, which brings together over 500 families, and serves on the boards of Amal Edinburgh School and Al-Manar School for Arabic language education. Deeply committed to supporting Arab refugees and advocating for their rights, she also organizes cultural and awareness events highlighting the Palestinian cause and has helped establish multiple charitable organizations in Scotland.