Dr Raied Al-Wazzan, Director of the Belfast Islamic Centre, has been awarded the Spirit of Féile Award at the launch of the 2026 Féile an Phobail festival. The presentation took place on Wednesday in Belfast.

Dr Al-Wazzan arrived in Belfast in 1990 and has since become a prominent advocate for refugees, asylum seekers, and minority ethnic communities. He described the city as a place where he feels at home, saying he considers the people of Belfast to be like family.

In his acceptance remarks, he acknowledged that he has often served as a spokesperson for ethnic minorities, becoming what he called a voice for the voiceless. He dedicated the award to everyone in Belfast who has supported their ethnic minority neighbours and to those who have publicly opposed racism.

He also credited his wife, Ayat, for her encouragement, noting that she both urges him to rest and pushes him to continue his work.

The award was presented by Jim Donnelly of the Active Communities Network.