It would be a great moment for a hijabi Muslim British woman on Tuesday, May 13, as she becomes first Muslim mayor of Tameside, a metropolitan borough of Greater Manchester.
Cllr Tafheen Sharif, who has represented Mossley since 2016, is a law graduate and works in the courts service, serving as a justice of the peace, Tameside.go.uk reported.
“It’s a matter of great pride to me that I will be Tameside’s first Muslim and ethnic minority civic mayor, and that during my term of office the borough will celebrate its 50th anniversary on April 1, 2024.
📚 Read Also: Manchester Town Appoints First Female Muslim Mayor
“I feel my appointment is symbolic of Tameside being a welcoming and diverse place where people are judged on their qualities. I am truly honoured to be given the responsibility of representing the borough and all its residents.
“My aim is to make my work and engagements as civic mayor as meaningful as possible, by guiding and inspiring others, particularly acting as a role model for our young people. I want to open doors for many and bring our flourishing communities closer together.”
Who Is Sharif?
Cllr Sharif started her political career in 2012 when she became the youngest councilor. Currently, she serves as deputy mayor as well as a school governor and charity trustee.
In another first for Tameside, her chaplain will be Imam Ghulam Mohiyuddin from Ashton Central Mosque, alongside Imam Olasheni Junaid, a Muslim chaplain at Tameside Hospital.
Many Muslims have achieved new political milestones recently in England.
📚 Read Also: Bolton Appoints First Ever Muslim Mayor
Last year, West Sussex’s Worthing Borough appointed councilor Henna Chowdhury as the borough’s first female Muslim mayor.
The City of Bolton also elected Cllr Akhtar Zaman as its mayor in May 2022, becoming the first Muslim and first person of Asian descent to hold the post.
Also in May, Westminster city council declared 22-Year-old Hamza Taouzzale as the first ever Muslim lord mayor.