Farzana Rahman, founder and CEO of the Desi Doll Company, has won the Businesswoman of the Year Award at the Islam Channel Business Awards.

Farzana received the award on Friday 18th November in a ceremony at the Hilton Metropole, London which was hosted by BBC’s Asad Ahmad.

The Islam Channel Business Awards was attended by over 1,000 esteemed figures including business leaders, parliamentarians, ambassadors and prominent personalities, and celebrated the finalists across 18 different categories.

The Businesswoman of the Year category shortlisted five finalists. The panel of 12 independent judges, chaired by Sir Iqbal Sacranie OBE, chose the finalists and Farzana Rahman as the winner of her category.

“I felt so humbled to be in a room filled with inspiring business people who strive and have succeeded to become better at their chosen paths,” said Farzana. “I’ve come away inspired by all of them to work harder at my vision to make my toys more widely available on the UK High Street.

“We’ve had a few wins recently, including Selfridges ranging our toys, Asda placing an order for 160 of its stores, the Queen’s Award, and now Business Woman of the Year Award – it seems the stars are aligning for me.”

The Desi Doll Company was born 14 years ago, when founder Farzana Rahman struggled to find fun resources to help her own children learn about their Islamic faith. A passionate believer that children learn best through play, Farzana felt compelled to do something about this.

Several lines of educational Muslim toys and many awards later, Farzana is proud to be a leading educational toymaker centered on bringing a variety of unique and innovative educational toys to the market and most importantly, making learning about faith fun.

Farzana added: “I’m on a mission to make Islamic toys more visible on UK high street toy shelves, so that Muslim children feel represented and included by toys that they can relate to, and that look like them. I enjoy designing interactive toys that make learning about the Islamic faith engaging and fun for children.

“Well done to all the amazing winners and runners up too. Phenomenal people all in one room. It was great to connect with old friends and make new ones too.”

For more information about the Desi Doll Company please contact Farzana Rahman on farzana@desidollcompany.com or visit the website at desidollcompany.com