Muslim Volunteer Abused Online Over Niqab Vows to Continue Community Work

Key Points

• Khadija Patel, 39, from Bolton, received a British Citizen Award for her volunteering work with young people in sport.
• A photograph of her accepting the award while wearing a niqab went viral and triggered a wave of Islamophobic abuse online.
• Patel founded KRIMMZ Youth Club, which runs sport and wellbeing sessions for children in Bolton, in partnership with the Lancashire Football Association.
• Most KRIMMZ sessions are aimed at girls from ethnically diverse and underrepresented backgrounds, though the club also runs mixed and boys’ sessions.
• Far-right activist Tommy Robinson and GB News presenter Patrick Christys were among those who publicly criticised the award and the club’s girls-only sessions.
• Patel says her clothing has no bearing on her ability to serve her community and has invited critics to see her work first-hand.
• Lord Mott, a patron of the British Citizen Awards, condemned the online abuse and praised Patel’s contribution to young people in Bolton.
• Patel has previously been recognised with the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Unsung Hero Award for the North West.

Bolton (Britain Today News) July 28, 2026 — A volunteer from Bolton who was targeted with online abuse after a photograph of her accepting a national award while wearing a niqab went viral has said the criticism will not stop her from continuing her work with young people.

Khadija Patel, 39, received a British Citizen Award at a ceremony at the Palace of Westminster in central London, in recognition of her efforts to get children into sport through the youth club she founded in Bolton. As reported by Metro, the image of her collecting the honour quickly spread online and drew a wave of Islamophobic comments, with critics focusing on her face covering rather than the substance of her work.

Who Is Khadija Patel and Why Did She Win the Award?

Patel, who was born and raised in Bolton, was honoured for her volunteering with KRIMMZ Youth Club, an organisation she set up to run sport and emotional wellbeing activities for children in the town. According to Metro’s report, the British Citizen Awards recognise individuals who have made an exceptional difference to their communities, and Patel was one of 28 recipients honoured at the Westminster ceremony, where she was photographed alongside television presenter Matt Allwright. Speaking to Metro afterwards, she described feeling humbled by the recognition and said the club was making a genuine difference in giving young people access to sport.

What Happened When the Photograph of Her Went Viral?

Once the image of Patel in her niqab began circulating on social media, it attracted significant attention — much of it hostile. Metro reported that commentators seized on her face covering specifically, suggesting it was incompatible with her stated aim of empowering young women, rather than engaging with the details of her volunteering work.

How Has Khadija Responded to the Abuse?

Patel told Metro that she found it upsetting that people were focused on her appearance rather than her achievements. She explained that wearing the niqab is a personal choice that she finds comfortable and that it does not represent the whole of her identity, adding that it has never limited her ability to promote sport in her community. In her own words, relayed by Metro,

“My work should be judged by my actions and not by what I am wearing.”

She also acknowledged, via Metro, that people are entitled to differing views on how she dresses, but stressed that this has never been a barrier to the community work she does. According to the outlet, she went so far as to invite anyone unfamiliar with her to visit KRIMMZ and see the sessions in person.

What Is KRIMMZ Youth Club and What Does It Offer?

KRIMMZ Youth Club, founded by Patel, runs a programme of sport and emotional wellbeing activities for children in Bolton. Metro’s report noted that the club works with local partners, including the Lancashire Football Association, to deliver its sessions, with a particular focus on supporting girls from ethnically diverse and underrepresented backgrounds.

Why Are Some Sessions Girls-Only, and Who Else Can Take Part?

While the majority of KRIMMZ sessions are reserved for girls, the club also runs separate sessions for boys and for children with additional needs, according to Metro. The practice of separating participants by gender once they reach puberty is one followed within many Muslim communities, and it was this aspect of the club’s structure that drew particular criticism online.

What Did the Lancashire Football Association Say About Her Award?

The Lancashire FA shared news of Patel’s award on social media, describing her, as quoted by Metro, as one of the organisation’s incredible volunteers and confirming that she had received the honour at the Palace of Westminster for her work empowering young women in Bolton through KRIMMZ.

Who Publicly Criticised the Award, and on What Grounds?

Metro’s report identified far-right activist Tommy Robinson as one of those who shared the viral photograph, accompanying it with a sarcastic remark questioning how the award could be linked to female empowerment. Separately, GB News presenter Patrick Christys criticised the recognition on air, arguing that British society had come to normalise the separation of men and women at sporting events on religious grounds, according to Metro’s account of his comments.

How Did Khadija Defend the Girls-Only Approach at KRIMMZ?

Responding to that criticism, Patel told Metro that the club’s priority is inclusion and accessibility rather than exclusion. She pointed out that non-Muslim participants have also asked to join women-only swimming sessions, and said the aim is simply to create an environment in which everyone taking part feels comfortable and safe.

What Did Lord Mott Say in Her Defence?

Lord Mott, a patron of the British Citizen Awards, spoke out in support of Patel after news of the abuse emerged. Metro reported that he described it as deeply disappointing that she had faced online hostility after being recognised for her contribution to the community, and stressed that the awards exist to celebrate people who go above and beyond for others. He was quoted by the outlet as saying there was no place for hatred or intimidation directed at anyone because of their faith or how they choose to dress, and that he hoped Patel would take pride in a well-deserved honour and continue her work supporting young people for years to come.
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What Other Recognition Has Khadija Received Before?

According to Metro, this is not the first time Patel’s community work has been formally recognised. She has previously received the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Unsung Hero Award for the North West region, reflecting a longer track record of volunteering with KRIMMZ ahead of this latest honour.

Has Khadija Faced Islamophobia Before This Incident?

Metro’s report indicated that Patel has encountered Islamophobic reactions to her work in the past, but that the scale and intensity of the abuse following the viral photograph marked a noticeable escalation. Despite this, she maintained to the outlet that differing opinions on her attire would not affect her commitment to the young people she works with.

What Happens Next for Khadija and KRIMMZ?

Patel has indicated no intention of stepping back from her role at KRIMMZ following the controversy. Her comments to Metro suggest she intends to continue running sport and wellbeing sessions for children in Bolton, while pushing back against the narrative that her choice of dress says anything about the value or impact of her work. With backers such as Lord Mott and partners including the Lancashire FA continuing to support the club publicly, KRIMMZ’s programme of girls’, boys’ and mixed-needs sessions looks set to continue unchanged.