Women Changing the World: The Zubeida bint Khalid Awards Ceremony Held at KazanForum
Women Changing the World: The Zubeida bint Khalid Awards Ceremony Held at KazanForum
16 May
The latest ceremony for the prestigious Zubeida bint Khalid International Awards — "Halal Business Woman" and "Halal Charity Woman" — took place under the auspices of the 17th International Economic Forum "Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum". Established in 2024, these awards are now being presented for the third time, reaffirming their significance in the development of halal business and charity.
The following awards were formally presented:
The "Halal Business Woman" Award is an international accolade that recognises and celebrates the achievements and contributions of women to the growth of halal business and the halal products industry. It is conferred upon women who demonstrate outstanding ability, entrepreneurial spirit, innovative approaches to business, and a commitment to creating high-quality halal products and services.
The "Halal Charity Woman" Award is an international award presented to women for their substantial contribution to charity and to helping those in need, within the framework of halal principles. The award seeks to highlight the role of women philanthropists, activists, and leaders in the fields of charity and social responsibility. It is conferred upon women who demonstrate exceptional qualities of humanity, compassion, and empathy, and who stand ready to offer help and support to those who require it.
The name of the awards refers to the historical figure of Zubeida bint Ja'far, an Arab princess of the Abbasid dynasty and wife of Caliph Harun al-Rashid. This remarkable woman secured her place in history through a multifaceted character that combined spiritual depth, intellectual curiosity, political acumen, and refinement. Through her efforts, she was able to achieve tangible progress in the socio-economic sphere and to improve the lives of her people.
In 2026, the competition brought together women from Russia, Afghanistan, Egypt, Oman, and Ghana — women who are strengthening business and social ties between Russia and the countries of the Islamic world, and fostering the development of the halal industry and international cooperation.
Key evaluation criteria for nominees of the "Halal Charity Woman" Award:
· Impact of the nominee's professional activity on the development of relations between Russia and the OIC countries;
· Compliance with Halal standards in organising charitable projects;
· Frequency of project implementation and the resulting social impact, including the ability to draw attention to a given issue;
· Geographic reach (city, region, country, abroad);
· Public recognition (frequency of mentions in the media);
· Originality and novelty of charitable initiatives.
Key evaluation criteria for nominees of the "Halal Business Woman" Award:
· Impact of the nominee's professional activity on the development of relations between Russia and the OIC countries;
· Originality of the entrepreneurial idea, its uniqueness and novelty;
· Presence and implementation of Halal standards in business;
· Geographic reach (number of branches and their locations in the Russian Federation and other countries);
· Public recognition (frequency of mentions in the media;
·Economic effectiveness (revenue, profit growth rates, profitability).
This year's winners are:
Zargan Kadyrova (Russia), founder of the peasant farm enterprise "ZHAYNA" — laureate of the "Halal Business Woman" Award. Owing to honesty and dedication to tradition, her company expanded its presence within a short timeframe from regional supplies to entering the international market. Kadyrova's guiding principles — purity, transparency, and Islamic norms — have made the brand both recognisable and trusted.
Janet Osei-Boadi (Ghana), founder of the Janet O. Boadi Foundation — laureate of the "Halal Charity Woman" Award. A passionate human rights advocate and development practitioner, she currently serves as the Founder and Managing Director of the Janet O. Boadi Foundation, where she leads initiatives in sustainable education and community empowerment programmes. Her experience spans project management, legal research, advocacy, fundraising, and capacity building, complemented by certifications in administration, management, and critical thinking from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration and other institutions. Of particular note is Janet's unwavering commitment to social development.
*****
The International Economic Forum “Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum” is being held in Kazan from 12 to 17 May 2026. In accordance with a decree of the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, the Forum acquired federal status in 2023, becoming the main platform for interaction between Russia and the Islamic world.
Representatives from 103 countries have registered for KazanForum 2026.
The Forum’s 2026 business programme includes 149 events across 21 tracks. Several international exhibitions will be held as part of the Forum: The International Exhibition of Co-operation between Russia and the Islamic World, the “Innovations. Investment. Infrastructure” Exhibition, the International Real Estate Exhibition and Conference, and the Kazan Halal Market Trade Fair. The agenda also includes: the Forum of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of OIC Countries, the Forum of Young Diplomats, the Forum of Young Entrepreneurs, meetings of intergovernmental commissions and bilateral conferences, festivals, gastronomic and sports projects, including the “Business on Horseback” horse race and the International Jockeys’ Championship.
In 2026, Kazan holds the status of Cultural Capital of the Islamic World. Cultural co‑operation will be one of the key themes of the humanitarian agenda – during the Forum, the Congress of Ministers of Culture of OIC Countries and the 15th Session of the ICESCO General Conference will be held. The programme will conclude with the “Izge Bolgar Zhyeni” gathering in Bolgar, dedicated to the Day of the Official Adoption of Islam by Volga Bulgaria.
The full programme of the Event is available on the Forum’s official website.
The Roscongress Foundation acts as the Operator for the preparation and holding of the Event, whereas ANO “Directorate for Sports and Social Projects” serves as the Operator’s Executive Directorate.
The following awards were formally presented:
The "Halal Business Woman" Award is an international accolade that recognises and celebrates the achievements and contributions of women to the growth of halal business and the halal products industry. It is conferred upon women who demonstrate outstanding ability, entrepreneurial spirit, innovative approaches to business, and a commitment to creating high-quality halal products and services.
The "Halal Charity Woman" Award is an international award presented to women for their substantial contribution to charity and to helping those in need, within the framework of halal principles. The award seeks to highlight the role of women philanthropists, activists, and leaders in the fields of charity and social responsibility. It is conferred upon women who demonstrate exceptional qualities of humanity, compassion, and empathy, and who stand ready to offer help and support to those who require it.
The name of the awards refers to the historical figure of Zubeida bint Ja'far, an Arab princess of the Abbasid dynasty and wife of Caliph Harun al-Rashid. This remarkable woman secured her place in history through a multifaceted character that combined spiritual depth, intellectual curiosity, political acumen, and refinement. Through her efforts, she was able to achieve tangible progress in the socio-economic sphere and to improve the lives of her people.
In 2026, the competition brought together women from Russia, Afghanistan, Egypt, Oman, and Ghana — women who are strengthening business and social ties between Russia and the countries of the Islamic world, and fostering the development of the halal industry and international cooperation.
Key evaluation criteria for nominees of the "Halal Charity Woman" Award:
· Impact of the nominee's professional activity on the development of relations between Russia and the OIC countries;
· Compliance with Halal standards in organising charitable projects;
· Frequency of project implementation and the resulting social impact, including the ability to draw attention to a given issue;
· Geographic reach (city, region, country, abroad);
· Public recognition (frequency of mentions in the media);
· Originality and novelty of charitable initiatives.
Key evaluation criteria for nominees of the "Halal Business Woman" Award:
· Impact of the nominee's professional activity on the development of relations between Russia and the OIC countries;
· Originality of the entrepreneurial idea, its uniqueness and novelty;
· Presence and implementation of Halal standards in business;
· Geographic reach (number of branches and their locations in the Russian Federation and other countries);
· Public recognition (frequency of mentions in the media;
·Economic effectiveness (revenue, profit growth rates, profitability).
This year's winners are:
Zargan Kadyrova (Russia), founder of the peasant farm enterprise "ZHAYNA" — laureate of the "Halal Business Woman" Award. Owing to honesty and dedication to tradition, her company expanded its presence within a short timeframe from regional supplies to entering the international market. Kadyrova's guiding principles — purity, transparency, and Islamic norms — have made the brand both recognisable and trusted.
Janet Osei-Boadi (Ghana), founder of the Janet O. Boadi Foundation — laureate of the "Halal Charity Woman" Award. A passionate human rights advocate and development practitioner, she currently serves as the Founder and Managing Director of the Janet O. Boadi Foundation, where she leads initiatives in sustainable education and community empowerment programmes. Her experience spans project management, legal research, advocacy, fundraising, and capacity building, complemented by certifications in administration, management, and critical thinking from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration and other institutions. Of particular note is Janet's unwavering commitment to social development.
*****
The International Economic Forum “Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum” is being held in Kazan from 12 to 17 May 2026. In accordance with a decree of the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, the Forum acquired federal status in 2023, becoming the main platform for interaction between Russia and the Islamic world.
Representatives from 103 countries have registered for KazanForum 2026.
The Forum’s 2026 business programme includes 149 events across 21 tracks. Several international exhibitions will be held as part of the Forum: The International Exhibition of Co-operation between Russia and the Islamic World, the “Innovations. Investment. Infrastructure” Exhibition, the International Real Estate Exhibition and Conference, and the Kazan Halal Market Trade Fair. The agenda also includes: the Forum of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of OIC Countries, the Forum of Young Diplomats, the Forum of Young Entrepreneurs, meetings of intergovernmental commissions and bilateral conferences, festivals, gastronomic and sports projects, including the “Business on Horseback” horse race and the International Jockeys’ Championship.
In 2026, Kazan holds the status of Cultural Capital of the Islamic World. Cultural co‑operation will be one of the key themes of the humanitarian agenda – during the Forum, the Congress of Ministers of Culture of OIC Countries and the 15th Session of the ICESCO General Conference will be held. The programme will conclude with the “Izge Bolgar Zhyeni” gathering in Bolgar, dedicated to the Day of the Official Adoption of Islam by Volga Bulgaria.
The full programme of the Event is available on the Forum’s official website.
The Roscongress Foundation acts as the Operator for the preparation and holding of the Event, whereas ANO “Directorate for Sports and Social Projects” serves as the Operator’s Executive Directorate.
