May 28, 2024, London– Mizanur Rahman Mizan, Director and Northwest Region President of the British Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BBCCI), Chairman of the Just Help Foundation UK, Founding Chairman of the Just Help Eye Hospital, and Channel S (TV) Manchester Bureau Chief, has been awarded the Freedom of the City of London this year. As a British Bangladeshi, this honour is a source of pride for the Bangladeshi heritage community. Mizan is the first British Bangladeshi in Greater Manchester to achieve this honour. He was given this award for his special contributions to charity work and journalism. The prestigious award will be presented in a lavish ceremony at London City Council on Tuesday, May 28, 2024.
The Freedom of the City of London Award was introduced in 1237, making it one of the oldest and most traditional awards in Britain. Many notable individuals have been honoured with this award in the past for their significant contributions in various fields of society, including Queen Elizabeth II, John Kerry, Van Morrison, Dame Marie Peters, Shabana Azmi, Lord Mayor Professor Michael Mainelli, and Hyde-Stalybridge MP Jonathan Reynolds, among others.
Mizanur Rahman Mizan has been involved in journalism with electronic media for the past 25 years. From 1999 to 2007, he contributed significantly to Bangla TV and then to Channel S, broadcasting news about the Bangladeshi community. In addition to his contributions to journalism, Mizanur Rahman Mizan has made significant contributions to the sports world of Bangladesh. He began playing hockey in Sylhet while still in Sylhet Pilot school (secondary school) and was one of the founders of the Moushumi Club. He played for Sylhet’s seasonal and district teams for an extended period and joined Dhaka Mohammedan as a player in 1982. After playing for Mohammedan for two years, he played for Abahani for a long time and served as the captain of Abahani Krirachakra in 1990. As a hockey team player, he brought honour to the country by playing against various countries, including India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia.
Additionally, Mizan played inter-university hockey for Chittagong University in 1987/88. His Bangladesh permanent address has been Mira Bazar, Ag Para, Sylhet for the past 60 years. Upon receiving the award, Mizanur Rahman expressed his gratitude, saying, “In receiving this honourable award, I am grateful to the Great Creator. God has given me the opportunity to work for humanity. I sincerely thank the person who nominated me for this award. I also thank my family members, friends, well-wishers, and all the communities in Britain and Europe. Without your support, it would not have been possible to advance the Just Help Foundation this far. As long as God keeps me in good health, I will continue to work in the service of humanity.”
A prominent athlete, Mizan has been involved in charitable activities since his childhood. He collected funds for Ag Para Mosque in London in 2006, and in 2007, he founded the Just Help Foundation, which has been working for the welfare of humanity both at home and abroad. The construction of the Just Help Pride Rotary Eye Hospital in 2012 is a significant contribution to serving those in need. He has received hundreds of awards for his contributions in various fields from his school life until now. He is praying for everyone.
Mizan resides permanently in Hyde, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, where he is a successful businessperson running a successful restaurant in Hyde, called Adnan’s. From this restaurant Mizan has provided many acts of charity and support as a philanthropist contributing significantly to local causes and charities.
