Leicester's first Muslim mayor sworn in
The city's first Muslim Lord Mayor was sworn in at a ceremony held at the Town Hall last night.
In a traditional inauguration, Councillor Abdul Osman was officially made Lord Mayor of Leicester at Leicester City Council's annual meeting, held in the Town Hall's chambers.
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Coun Osman, who joined the city council in 1996, takes over from Councillor Rob Wann.
Coun Osman said: "It's an important year, with the Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics, so it's a privilege for me to hold office with everything that's going on.
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"I want to focus on visiting the communities and raising the profile of the office of Lord Mayor. I'm proud to be the first Muslim councillor to hold the position – we've had Christian, Hindu, Sikh and now I'm able to bring the Islamic faith to the office which is a great honour."
Each year, the new mayor nominates a charity which he will raise money for.
Coun Osman has chosen the stroke unit at the Leicester Royal Infirmary and is aiming to raise £60,000 for the cause.
He said: "I feel as if it's quite a symbolic issue because it affects everyone regardless of their age, colour or background – and our city is one of the most diverse communities in the country."
Comments
by prog_rock_fan
Tuesday, May 22 2012, 7:42PM
“Rob Wann: "If we get the decision at 5pm, I'll have the 'dozers on by 7pm."
Leicester: "Bye Mr Wann."”
by dannilambert
Tuesday, May 22 2012, 10:55AM
“@ned.please accept an aplogy from me.SORRY !.i thought you were one of this councils proletarian guard.”
by Jules281
Monday, May 21 2012, 5:34PM
“Red_neck, you are so behind the times, that stabbing was ages ago there has been 3 more since then, keep up! and who do you think you are the LM police! if you dont like my comments then move on love, Freedom of speech or written, oh but that only applies when PC people LIKE IT.”
by dannilambert
Monday, May 21 2012, 1:28PM
“@ned.You do seem to avoid the question as to why we need another mayor.Is it too much of a strain on your obvious knowledge?
I could add why we need a police commissioner?
What is he/she going to do?
Shall save that for another day and expect a benign ,but evasive,informative ,reply from you.
The precept of the question ,you did not answer,. was what has he done for the citizens of Leicester.Seems to me a simple question you evade answering.
Would be like saying"what did Daniel Lambert do for the City?"Just a fat{obese!]bloke born here.”
by IncredibleD
Monday, May 21 2012, 12:45PM
“@ redned
regarding your comments @jules, And fourthly, why do you have to read this rubbish? Only you can answer that, as far as I am aware no-one is forcing you..."
I have a knife at her back forcing her to read this just to highlight the issue of knife crime...
..are people forgetting this is a ceremonial post more than anything and next year we will have someone else for them to moan about. No Lord Mayor has ever had a major impact on the city beyond the work they already did, their appeal gets more advertising and they get some serious bling!”
by dannilambert
Monday, May 21 2012, 9:08AM
“A question missed.Why do we need him?What will he do?What will it cost?”
by Secretwhisper
Sunday, May 20 2012, 6:59PM
“Do we really need a Mayor at all ? Not all cities have them or need them, so maybe we could save tax payers money.
I do not really care about the Mayor being a Muslim, what i care about is that he will serve all people of any faith the same.
As for crime..we have to make Prison a hell hole on earth so not even the most harden criminal would want to spend a minute in there.”
by Red_Ned
Sunday, May 20 2012, 5:47PM
“@Jules281
What you you talking about? To begin with crime has actually been declining in Leicester for over ten years (even the recent spike in muggings needs to be put into context - in that it followed a big fall in numbers in the previous year) Secondly, the "stabbing in the middle of the day" was published on here ( http://tinyurl.com/7elb6j8 ). And thirdly, trying to link that crime with "multi-culturalism" is very poor. No section of Leicester's diverse community is immune from having criminals in it. And never has been.
And fourthly, why do you have to read this rubbish? Only you can answer that, as far as I am aware no-one is forcing you...”
by Red_Ned
Sunday, May 20 2012, 5:33PM
“@leicesterle4 - as you clearly can't be bothered to read his bio - I'll make it easy for you...
QUOTE He worked at Leicestershire Careers & Guidance Service from 1992 to 1998, before joining Leicester College as a Project Manager for the Overseas Qualification Development Programme.
Councillor Osman has worked with a number of charities and was instrumental in fundraising to build two entire villages and a school in Kutch Gujarat, India for orphan children, following an earthquake in Kutch in 2011.
He has been actively involved in local community affairs including, Ex-chair of Governors at Moat Community College and previous Governor of Regent College Sixth Form College; Ex-chair of the Governing Body and executive positions for 15 years with Highfields Community Association, a registered charity and a major local community centre; Founder member of Indiana Football Club, which is affiliated to the Leicestershire & County Football Association and Al-Hilal Muslim Youth Association, a local voluntary youth group; Lay prison observer with the Home Office for the East & South Yorkshire and was previously an ethnic Minority Member of HMP Ashwell. END OF QUOTE”
by jimbob6163
Saturday, May 19 2012, 10:19PM
“Why have we two Mayors for Leicester one is enough and he wastes money like a money pit so why do we need two is this another Labour con”