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Waqar Azmi grew up with his family in [[Azamgarh]], Uttar Pradesh, India, and moved to the UK at the age of 13, speaking no English when he arrived. He attended the [[University of Central Lancashire]], graduating in 1993 with a degree in Politics and Social Policy.
Waqar Azmi grew up with his family in [[Azamgarh]], Uttar Pradesh, India, and moved to the UK at the age of 13, speaking no English when he arrived. He attended the [[University of Central Lancashire]], graduating in 1993 with a degree in Politics and Social Policy.


In 2001 he became Managing Director at the world’s largest consultancy firm, [[TMP Worldwide Advertising and Communications]] and [[Monster.com]]. Azmi founded the British Federation of Racial Equality Councils,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bforec.co.uk/History.htm |title=British Federation of Racial Equality Councils |publisher=Bforec.co.uk |date=2001-04-25 |accessdate=2013-02-22}}</ref> a UK body of racial equality councils and partnerships representing over 100 councils across England, Scotland and Wales.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bforec.co.uk/History.htm |title=British Federation of Racial Equality Councils |publisher=Bforec.co.uk |date=April 25, 2001 |accessdate=October 20, 2011}}</ref> He also founded the [[think tank]] Race Equality West Midlands<ref>[http://www.rewm.org/Our_History.htm ]{{dead link|date=February 2013}}</ref> and the Herefordshire Equality Partnership.<ref>[http://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/social_issues/diversity/23764.asp ]{{dead link|date=October 2011}}</ref>
In 2001 he became Managing Director at the world’s largest consultancy firm, [[TMP Worldwide Advertising and Communications]] and [[Monster.com]]. Azmi founded the British Federation of Racial Equality Councils,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bforec.co.uk/History.htm |title=British Federation of Racial Equality Councils |publisher=Bforec.co.uk |date=2001-04-25 |accessdate=2013-02-22}}</ref> a UK body of racial equality councils and partnerships representing over 100 councils across England, Scotland and Wales.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bforec.co.uk/History.htm |title=British Federation of Racial Equality Councils |publisher=Bforec.co.uk |date=April 25, 2001 |accessdate=October 20, 2011}}</ref> He also founded the [[think tank]] Race Equality West Midlands<ref>[http://www.rewm.org/Our_History.htm ] {{wayback|url=http://www.rewm.org/Our_History.htm |date=20100523111717 }}</ref> and the Herefordshire Equality Partnership.<ref>[http://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/social_issues/diversity/23764.asp ]{{dead link|date=October 2011}}</ref>


== Civil service career ==
== Civil service career ==
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Waqar Azmi received an OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours in 2002 at the age of 32 by Her Majesty the [[Elizabeth II|Queen]] in recognition of his major contributions in the UK<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/uk/2002/birthday_honours_2002/2045206.stm |title=In Depth &#124; Birthday Honours 2002 &#124; OBEs A – M |publisher=BBC News |date=June 14, 2002 |accessdate=October 20, 2011}}</ref> and in 2003 he was awarded Britain’s Young Asian Achievers Award by [[Lloyds TSB]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jewelawards.tv/winner.asp?catid=8&locid=2 |title=Asian Jewel Awards – 2003 Winners |publisher=Jewelawards.tv |accessdate=October 20, 2011}}</ref>
Waqar Azmi received an OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours in 2002 at the age of 32 by Her Majesty the [[Elizabeth II|Queen]] in recognition of his major contributions in the UK<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/uk/2002/birthday_honours_2002/2045206.stm |title=In Depth &#124; Birthday Honours 2002 &#124; OBEs A – M |publisher=BBC News |date=June 14, 2002 |accessdate=October 20, 2011}}</ref> and in 2003 he was awarded Britain’s Young Asian Achievers Award by [[Lloyds TSB]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jewelawards.tv/winner.asp?catid=8&locid=2 |title=Asian Jewel Awards – 2003 Winners |publisher=Jewelawards.tv |accessdate=October 20, 2011}}</ref>


In 2001 Azmi was awarded an Honorary Masters Degree by the [[University of Worcester]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?storyCode=165598&sectioncode=26 |title=Glittering prizes |publisher=Times Higher Education |date=November 2, 2001 |accessdate=October 20, 2011}}</ref> In 2006 he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Letters degree by [[Southampton Solent University]],<ref name="solent1">{{cite web|url=http://portal-live.solent.ac.uk/university/mediabox2/waqarAzmi.aspx |title=Portal Mobile |publisher=Portal-live.solent.ac.uk |date= |accessdate=2013-02-22}}{{dead link|date=August 2013}}</ref> and later that year, the [[University of Central Lancashire]] awarded him an Honorary Fellowship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uclan.ac.uk/information/uclan/honorary_graduates/index.php |title=Honorary Fellows – University of Central Lancashire |publisher=Uclan.ac.uk |date=September 4, 2007 |accessdate=October 20, 2011}}{{dead link|date=August 2013}}</ref>
In 2001 Azmi was awarded an Honorary Masters Degree by the [[University of Worcester]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?storyCode=165598&sectioncode=26 |title=Glittering prizes |publisher=Times Higher Education |date=November 2, 2001 |accessdate=October 20, 2011}}</ref> In 2006 he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Letters degree by [[Southampton Solent University]],<ref name="solent1">{{cite web|url=http://portal-live.solent.ac.uk/university/mediabox2/waqarAzmi.aspx |title=Portal Mobile |publisher=Portal-live.solent.ac.uk |date= |accessdate=2013-02-22 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/20110716093737/http://portal-live.solent.ac.uk/university/mediabox2/waqarAzmi.aspx |archivedate=July 16, 2011 }}</ref> and later that year, the [[University of Central Lancashire]] awarded him an Honorary Fellowship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uclan.ac.uk/information/uclan/honorary_graduates/index.php |title=Honorary Fellows – University of Central Lancashire |publisher=Uclan.ac.uk |date=September 4, 2007 |accessdate=October 20, 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/20120222053248/http://www.uclan.ac.uk/information/uclan/honorary_graduates/index.php |archivedate=February 22, 2012 }}</ref>


In January 2015, Azmi was nominated for the Spirit of Britain award at the [[British Muslim Awards]].<ref name="asianimage">{{cite news |last= |first= |url=http://www.asianimage.co.uk/news/business/11745550.British_Muslim_Awards_2015_finalists_unveiled/|title=British Muslim Awards 2015 finalists unveiled|work= |location= |publisher=''Asian Image''|date=23 January 2015|accessdate=1 November 2015}}</ref>
In January 2015, Azmi was nominated for the Spirit of Britain award at the [[British Muslim Awards]].<ref name="asianimage">{{cite news |last= |first= |url=http://www.asianimage.co.uk/news/business/11745550.British_Muslim_Awards_2015_finalists_unveiled/|title=British Muslim Awards 2015 finalists unveiled|work= |location= |publisher=''Asian Image''|date=23 January 2015|accessdate=1 November 2015}}</ref>

Revision as of 20:03, 28 January 2016

Dr Waqar Azmi OBE
File:Dr Waqar Azmi OBE.jpg
UK Government's former Chief Diversity Adviser and EU Ambassador for Intercultural Dialogue
Personal details
Born1970


Waqar Azmi OBE is listed in the world's 500 most influential Muslims by Georgetown University,[1][2] as well as the Asian power 100 list of the most influential Asians in the UK and, the Muslim power 100 List of the most influential Muslims in the UK.[3]

He is chairman of Waterhouse Consulting Group[4] and EU Ambassador of Intercultural Dialogue.[5] He is also founder & chairman of Remembering Srebrenica.[6] Prior to this, he was the UK Government’s Chief Diversity Adviser at the Cabinet Office.[7]

Early life and career

Waqar Azmi grew up with his family in Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh, India, and moved to the UK at the age of 13, speaking no English when he arrived. He attended the University of Central Lancashire, graduating in 1993 with a degree in Politics and Social Policy.

In 2001 he became Managing Director at the world’s largest consultancy firm, TMP Worldwide Advertising and Communications and Monster.com. Azmi founded the British Federation of Racial Equality Councils,[8] a UK body of racial equality councils and partnerships representing over 100 councils across England, Scotland and Wales.[9] He also founded the think tank Race Equality West Midlands[10] and the Herefordshire Equality Partnership.[11]

Civil service career

In October 2004, he was appointed as UK Government's Chief Diversity Adviser at the Cabinet Office. He launched the 10-Point Plan on diversity to drive change across Whitehall and for the first time in the UK, linked diversity performance of each government department to the pay and bonus of Permanent Secretaries.[12] The Times wrote: "Azmi raised eyebrows when he announced that the bonuses of permanent secretaries would be linked to their success in meeting the targets".[7] Britain's only Asian Permanent Secretary, Sir Suma Chakrabarti, and a former Minister, Keith Vaz, welcomed the announcement, saying it would accelerate change in the civil service. But Keith Vaz warned: "I'm quite sure there will be resistance to this".[13]

Azmi's work led each government department to prepare a delivery plan and stepped up the pace of change including advertising for open competition the posts of Permanent Secretaries, Ambassadors and other sensitive and top governmental jobs.[7] The Guardian called Azmi "The Equaliser"[14] and The Times called him "Whitehall's diversity champ."[7] Pat McFadden, the then Cabinet Office Minister said in a speech that Azmi was "doing a hugely important job".[15] Other commentators like Paul Zickel writing in The Times said: "Disability in the Civil Service recently moved out of the shadows and into the mainstream. For me, the key driver was the Civil Service-wide ten-point plan developed by Waqar Azmi".[16]

Public inquiries

Azmi has been involved in several Public Inquiries in the UK. He was also on the Oldham Riots Inquiry which was set up to investigate the riots that occurred in May 2001. He was an open critic of the Inquiry, claiming that under government pressure the Inquiry was steered towards language and citizenship, instead of structural inequalities and the growing influence of far-right groups such as the British National Party (BNP).[17]

Awards, nominations and honorary degrees

Waqar Azmi received an OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours in 2002 at the age of 32 by Her Majesty the Queen in recognition of his major contributions in the UK[18] and in 2003 he was awarded Britain’s Young Asian Achievers Award by Lloyds TSB.[19]

In 2001 Azmi was awarded an Honorary Masters Degree by the University of Worcester.[20] In 2006 he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Letters degree by Southampton Solent University,[21] and later that year, the University of Central Lancashire awarded him an Honorary Fellowship.[22]

In January 2015, Azmi was nominated for the Spirit of Britain award at the British Muslim Awards.[23]

Views on extremism

The Times of India wrote: "After he had finished delivering an inspiring speech at a career fest last week, Dr Waqar Azmi was almost mobbed by the crowd. It seemed like the Muslim gathering had waited for a long time for someone like him".[24] Speaking to a Muslim audience of 150,000 (Urdu/Hindi: 1.5 lakh people) [25] in Mumbai, he "slammed those who killed innocent people in the name of Islam. "Evil has taken over the hearts of those who maim innocent children, blow up houses and kill people. It is our duty to help purify those dirty hearts," he said. A section of Muslims had gone astray as they had left the Prophet's message behind, he said. "We must illuminate the hearts of those misguided."[26]

Azmi sees globalisation as an opportunity for greater integration and understanding. He cites the Prophet's choices in the initial days of Islam: "He could have tried to destroy all non-Muslims in Medina; commanded everyone to become a Muslim; or chosen the path of integration. He chose the last option and invited everyone, including Jews and Christians, to the society he formed. The problem surfaces when, instead of integration, Muslims want to colonise. They want to create a separate society.[24]"

Azmi also believes that Muslims themselves are largely responsible for the problems and challenges that exists in their communities due to a lack of education, activism and effective leadership: "Muslims have become reactionary rather than responding forces," he says. "Reaction leads to friction and destruction while responding paves the way for reconciliation and peace. When controversies erupt over cartoons or films on the Prophet, I tell Muslims there is no image of the Prophet. So any cartoon or film depicting him will be fake. Why fight over a fake depiction? When Muslims react violently, they play into the hands of forces that want to incite the community and paint it as reactionary".[24]

References

  1. ^ "Azmi, Dr Waqar". The Muslim 500. Retrieved 2013-02-22.
  2. ^ [1][dead link]
  3. ^ [2][dead link]
  4. ^ "Waterhouse Consulting Group". Waterhouseconsulting.co.uk. Retrieved 2013-02-22.
  5. ^ "DG EAC – European Year of Intercultural Dialogue (2008) – Dr. Waqar Azmi OBE". Interculturaldialogue2008.eu. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
  6. ^ Jo Siedlecka, Friday, July 12, 'Archbishop Nichols speaks at Remembering Srebrenica memorial day', London: Independent Catholic News, http://www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=22939
  7. ^ a b c d Frances Gibb Legal Editor. "The Times | UK News, World News and Opinion". Business.timesonline.co.uk. Retrieved October 20, 2011. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)(subscription required)
  8. ^ "British Federation of Racial Equality Councils". Bforec.co.uk. 2001-04-25. Retrieved 2013-02-22.
  9. ^ "British Federation of Racial Equality Councils". Bforec.co.uk. April 25, 2001. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
  10. ^ [3] Template:Wayback
  11. ^ [4][dead link]
  12. ^ "/ UK – Breaking down barriers to top jobs in Whitehall". Financial Times. November 1, 2005. Retrieved October 20, 2011.(subscription required)
  13. ^ Tania Branigan, political correspondent (November 1, 2005). "Meet diversity targets or risk cut in bonuses, civil servants warned | Politics". The Guardian. UK. Retrieved October 20, 2011. {{cite news}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  14. ^ Mary O'Hara (October 13, 2004). "Public manager: Waqar Azmi, Whitehall's new adviser on diversity | Society". The Guardian. UK. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
  15. ^ [5][dead link]
  16. ^ Frances Gibb Legal Editor. "The Times | UK News, World News and Opinion". Business.timesonline.co.uk. Retrieved October 20, 2011. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)(subscription required)
  17. ^ "UK | England | Riot report is 'flawed'". BBC News. May 27, 2002. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
  18. ^ "In Depth | Birthday Honours 2002 | OBEs A – M". BBC News. June 14, 2002. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
  19. ^ "Asian Jewel Awards – 2003 Winners". Jewelawards.tv. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
  20. ^ "Glittering prizes". Times Higher Education. November 2, 2001. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
  21. ^ "Portal Mobile". Portal-live.solent.ac.uk. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved 2013-02-22. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  22. ^ "Honorary Fellows – University of Central Lancashire". Uclan.ac.uk. September 4, 2007. Archived from the original on February 22, 2012. Retrieved October 20, 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  23. ^ "British Muslim Awards 2015 finalists unveiled". Asian Image. 23 January 2015. Retrieved 1 November 2015. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  24. ^ a b c "Don't be 'reactionary', Blair adviser tells Muslims". Times Of India. 2012-12-23. Retrieved 2013-02-22.
  25. ^ "Sunni leaders preach tolerance, purity to 1.5 lakh attendees on final day of Ijtema". Hindustan Times. 2012-12-17. Retrieved 2013-02-22.
  26. ^ "Sunni conference asks Muslims to shun violence". Times Of India. 2012-12-17. Retrieved 2013-02-22.

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