Oldham man gets Points of Light award

Syed Ahmed was awarded for distributing over 8,000 portable Quran devices to over 300 hospitals. He plans to increase the reach to more hospitals

• Shajil Kumar
• 20 May, 2024

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By: Shajil Kumar

Syed Ahmed from Oldham was given Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s daily Points of Light award for distributing over 8,000 portable Quran devices to over 300 hospitals.

Ahmed came across this concept after his father was admitted to a hospital during the Covid-19 pandemic.

He provided him with a small, rechargeable “Quran speaker” that could be placed by his bedside, allowing easy access to Quranic recitations without relying on an internet connection.

Ahmed initially planned to supply these speakers to hospitals in Greater Manchester and Bradford, but the demand grew across the country as patients and families found comfort and solace amid visiting restrictions imposed due to the pandemic.

In 2020, he established ‘The Quran for Hospitals Project’ to distribute more devices, and with fundraising and support from the Muslim community, Ahmed raised over £80,000.

He has also distributed over 81,000 speakers and 7,000 free Quran CDs.

Ahmed said the award was a great honour and plans to extend the reach of Quran speakers to more hospitals across the UK and globally.

He is the 2,318th recipient of the Points of Light award, which was launched in April 2014 to encourage and promote volunteering.

Each weekday, a British national is selected for their contribution towards making a positive change within their community and inspiring others.