Milton Keynes 14-year-old prodigy nominated for Global 100 Influential Muslims Award 2026

Home-educated Google AI specialist, UN Climate Champion, and international Quranic reciter Maryam Jazeem is among contenders worldwide as final announcements approach.

Maryam Jazeem, 14, nominated for the Global 100 Influential Muslims Award 2026 | Citizen Journalist

placeholder image — Maryam Jazeem, 14, nominated for the Global 100 Influential Muslims Award 2026 | Citizen Journalist

14-year-old Milton Keynes trailblazer Maryam Jazeem has been officially nominated for the international EqualityX Global 100 Influential Muslims Award 2026, placing her among the youngest contenders worldwide.

The Global 100 list—established by EqualityX to recognise figures elevating the profile of Muslim communities globally—evaluates candidates on demonstrable societal impact delivered over the past 12 months. For Maryam, the nomination follows a series of milestone achievements spanning artificial intelligence, humanitarian action, and world-class Quranic recitation:

Maryam Jazeem with her father at SOAS University of London, following her inclusion in the “100 Inspiring Muslims: Next Gen” list by the Emerald Network and Aziz Foundation. | Citizen Journalist

Pioneering AI & STEM Innovation: In July 2026, Maryam earned the professional 7-course Google AI Professional Certificate via Coursera at age 14. The credential built upon her pioneering "Quranic-STEM Fusion" framework—an interdisciplinary methodology combining classical Tajweed with computational pattern recognition and AI tools. She is also a two-time MK STEM Student Superstar (2024 & 2025).
International Quranic Mastery: A multi-award-winning reciter, Maryam was crowned the UK’s Best Quran Reciter at age 9 (Islam Channel TV, 2021) and won the national Q Factor Season 8 Championship on Channel S TV (2025). Representing the United Kingdom on the world stage, she emerged as an international semi-finalist at the Dubai International Holy Quran Award (DIHQA), selected from a competitive pool of over 5,600 global entrants.
Parliamentary & Youth Leadership: As a Youth Ambassador for King Charles III’s #iWill Movement, Maryam champions youth social action. On July 13, 2026, she addressed Members of Parliament inside the House of Commons alongside Iqbal Mohamed MP, speaking on qualitative data ethics in pediatric critical care.
UN Environmental Accreditation: Certified as a UN Climate Champion by UNITAR and the UN Climate Change Youth4Capacity program, she authored an ecological stewardship framework mapping traditional principles (Khalifa) directly onto modern sustainability metrics.
Human Rights & Philanthropy: Her grassroots campaign opposing Sri Lanka’s mandatory COVID-19 cremation policy contributed to an official government apology and policy reversal on July 23, 2024, which restored sacred burial rights and earned her the Baton Award. In addition, her public speaking and charitable appeals have helped mobilize over £214,000 for emergency relief, medical telethons, and educational infrastructure.

In September 2024, Maryam was featured as the sole child on the 100 Inspiring Muslims: Next Generation list compiled by the Emerald Network and the Aziz Foundation. Earlier this year, she also appeared as the youngest panelist at the regional Overt STEM Summit in Milton Keynes, calling on leaders to "move on from talking about us and start talking to us."

Speaking on her nomination for the EqualityX Global 100, Maryam said: "I am deeply humbled by this nomination. My goal is to show young people—especially young girls—that technology, faith, and compassionate leadership can work hand in hand to make a tangible difference in society."

With the independent evaluation process concluding, the final Global 100 Influential Muslims 2026 cohort is scheduled to be announced this September, followed by an executive celebration in London.