The archbishop of Canterbury has honoured a Muslim imam, Mohammed Mahmoud, who intervened to prevent violence against a driver who ran down worshippers outside the Finsbury Park Mosque in January.

Mahmoud was one of the recipients this afternoon of the Lambeth Awards honouring those who have made a particular contribution to prayer, evangelism and peacebuilding.

Speaking at the ceremony, Justin Welby urged the importance of hope in the face of despair, saying: 'Throughout the world – and I by no means exclude this country – it is the poorest and weakest who suffer most from the selfishness and injustice visited upon them by the rich and the strong.'

He said: 'It would be easy to despair. But I do not despair. My own faith in God and in our Saviour Jesus Christ teaches me that I must be always hopeful. I must never give in to hopelessness. And one of the things which lightens my darkness is the knowledge that there are good women and men, throughout the world, who have also refused to give into despair.'

He said the Lambeth awards represented the thanks of the Church of England and the Anglican Communion, but were also a public acknowledgment that the recipients were 'examples to be followed'. 'I want others to see what these people have done and understand that, in their different fields, they show forth values which are our values, Gospel values of love for humanity, reconciliation and selfless service; and, more widely, values common to all people of good will – values of common decency and a refusal to bow to false gods,' he said.

The 30 recipients included Christians from Africa, the Far East and the UK. Among them were Canon Dr Paula Gooder, who was recognised for her biblical scholarship and service to the Church of England, Canon Grace Kaiso, who received an award for his service to the Anglican Communion, including his leadership on conflict resolution and peacebuilding in Africa, and Rev Dr John Bell, recognised for his Christian witness through hymn-writing, broadcasting and social action.

Mohammed Mahmoud was one of two Muslim leaders who received awards.

The Lambeth Awards were launched by Archbishop Welby in 2016.