The Brass Crescent Awards is an annual awards ceremony that honors the best writers and thinkers of the emerging Muslim blogosphere (aka the Islamsphere). Nominations are taken from blog readers, who then vote for the winners.

Founded in 2004 by myself and Shahed Amanullah, the Brass Crescent Awards are named for the Story of the City of Brass in the Thousand and One Nights. Today, the Islamsphere is forging a new synthesis of Islam and modernity, and is the intellectual heir to the traditions of philosophy and learning that was once the hallmark of Islamic civilization – a heritage scarcely recognizable today in the Islamic world after a century’s ravages of colonialism, tyrants, and religious fundamentalism. We believe that Islam transcends history, and we are forging history anew for tomorrow’s Islam. These awards are a means to honor ourselves, celebrate our nascent community, and promote its growth.

The Awards will take place in two phases. First is the nominations phase, where readers nominate their favorite blogs in each of several categories. All submitted nominations will then be narrowed down to a maximum of five nominees per category, as selected by our judges. We will then have the final voting round. Simply visit BrassCrescent.org to submit nominations and vote.

Here are this year’s categories:

BEST MUSLIM BLOG: This category honors the most indispensable, Muslim-authored (single-author) blog there is. Period.

BEST SOCIAL MEDIA STREAM: People are increasingly expressing themselves through social multimedia feeds like Instagram, Vine, YouTube, Flickr and more. Who is doing a good job of mastering this medium?

BEST FEMALE MUSLIM BLOGGER: The woman’s voice in Islam is equal to the man’s, and in the Islamsphere we seek to make sure the female perspective is highlighted and given its rightful due. Which (single-author) Muslim woman’s blog has done the most to explore the role that women play within Islam and society?

BEST GROUP BLOG: What multiple author blog in the Islamsphere has the best diversity of writers and the most interesting debate on Muslim issues?

FUNNIEST BLOGGER: Which blogger gets their point across by using humor in the most effective way?

BEST NEW BLOG: Which blog is a true diamond in the rough, one that everyone should be reading but who most just haven’t heard of (yet)?

BEST NON-MUSLIM BLOGGER: Which blog written by a non-Muslim is most respectful of Islam and seeks genuine dialogue with Muslims?

BEST POST OR SERIES: Which single post or group of posts in the Islamsphere was the most original and important, above all the others?

BEST REGIONAL BLOG: The Islamsphere is truly a global phenomenon. Different regions of the world all have unique perspectives on faith and politics that should be recognized and celebrated. What blogs or bloggers are the best voice of their people and their cultures?

BEST WRITER: Who is the most stimulating, insightful, and philosophically wise among us? This category is intended to highlight a blogger who may not post daily, but when they do post, they really make an impact.

BEST TWEETER: What Muslim voice on Twitter provides the most informative and entertaining retweets, links, and/or witticisms in 140 characters or less?

BEST NON-MUSLIM TWEETER: What non-Muslim voice on twitter should we all be following, who tweets about issues relating to the Muslim world and Islam?

Note: With the “muslim”/”non-muslims” exceptions noted above, any blog is eligible for any category, including blogs authored by people of other faiths. In defining the Islamsphere, we are not relying solely on adherence to the faith, but an affinity for parts of the diverse cultural fabric that Islam embraces and is embraced by worldwide.

Help us promote the Awards – follow @brasscrescent on Twitter, Like our Facebook page, check out our subreddit /r/brasscrescent, and mention the Awards on your own blog. Asking your readers to nominate you is fair game!