Former Exeter Imam Mohammed Saied receives new award

Jo Irving
BBC Devon website

Imam Mohammed Saied receives his award from the High Sheriff of Devon, David Fursdon

For the past 25 years Imam Mohammed Saied has been in Exeter trying to bring the Muslim and the wider community together.

His work has now been recognised with a new award presented to him at the city's Guildhall on Monday 22 March.

It's a first for the city and for Devon and Imam Saied says this tribute is not just for him.

"This award is recognition not only for myself, but for the whole Muslim community and beyond."

Woman play a big role in Exeter Muslim community and in the mosque

Since 1982 Imam Saied has been representing the 700 strong Muslim community in Exeter.

He was an Imam at the local mosque in York Road for more than two decades until 2007.

"My work is about building bridges and mutual acceptance."

A difficult job when there is still some prejudice and stereotypes surrounding Muslims and their faith.

"There are more than 40 nationalities in our mosque.

"Women make up a big part of our community and there are three here who help in the mosque - something that's not even done in Bristol."

The High Sheriff, David Fursdon, presented Imam Saied with his award saying: "He has promoted the common values of justice, peace and tolerance."

As part of his cultural work Imam Saied has visited schools, taught students, officiated at interfaith marriages and arranged visits to the mosque.

The award recognises Imam Saied's work over the past 25 years

He was on hand to speak to the media after the 9/11 attacks in America, hosted a reunion event in 2006 after the London bombings and praised the media for its coverage of the terrorist attacks on Exeter's Princesshay in 2008.

For the past three years Imam Saied has spent much of his time working as part of the chaplaincy team at Portland prison in Dorset.

He talks about this work with Muslim inmates, trying to understand these criminals and where they have come from.

"They are mainly from broken homes and poor inner cities.

"The family is the backbone of the Muslim community.

"This award is a sense of achievement for myself, family and the community."