Earlier this year we invited writers to share their short stories, poems, screenplays and play scripts. Young writers answered that call and the entries came flooding into the 2025 Young Muslim Writers Awards.
Five entries were shortlisted from each category and age group. The shortlisted pieces imagined the thoughts of rivers rushing downstream, the dilemma of a stranded alien cat, and training drills in elite spy academies. They reflected on the breeze whispering through willow trees; a class bully and a mean stepmother; the unsettling connection tying a prisoner with his cellmate; and so much more.
Thirty-five judges from across the creative industries had the difficult challenge of selecting this year’s winners, who were announced at the 2025 Young Muslim Writers Awards ceremony on 29th November.
We are pleased to share this year’s winners:
Key Stage 1 Poetry – Ages 7 and under
I Want To Play – Ali Zameer
Key Stage 2A Poetry – Ages 7 to 9
Dear Mum – Umaymah Bhaiyat
Key Stage 2B Poetry – Ages 9 to 11
Injustice – A Slam Poem – Rahma Meer
Key Stage 3 Poetry – Ages 11 to 14
The Woolly Mammoth – Ahmed Faysal Ahmed
Key Stage 4 Poetry – Ages 14 to 16
Healing in Sujood – Mahbuba Islam
Moments of Peace – Maya Hussain
Key Stage 1 Short Story – Ages 7 and under
Dragon Knights vs Tornado – Noah Ibrahim Ali
Key Stage 2A Short Story – Ages 7 to 9
The Ginger-BEARD Muslim – Saliha Khawaja
The Madness (A Tale Best Told with the Lights On) – Maryam Bint Zaeem Husein
Key Stage 2B Short Story – Ages 9 to 11
The Last Ride Home – Yusra Drummond
Key Stage 3 Short Story – Ages 11 to 14
The Consciousness of Reality – Syeda Zeenat Ahmed
Key Stage 4 Short Story – Ages 14 to 16
Veilborn – Zoya Sameen
Key Stage 3 Playscript – Ages 14 and under
Error 404: Sister Not Found – Thalia S. A.
Key Stage 3 Screenplay – Ages 14 and under
90 Degrees – Zayd I. A.
Writer of the Year 2025
Zoya Sameen