Sandwell welcomes first Muslim Mayor Syeda Khatun

A council has appointed its first female Muslim mayor. Councilor Syeda Khatun will take over as Mayor of Sandwell for 2024/25 following a ceremony in Oldbury on Tuesday.

The long-serving Sandwell councilor was first elected in 1999, becoming the first Bangladeshi woman elected in the Midlands region and the first Muslim woman to win a seat on Sandwell Council. She was awarded an MBE in the 2004 New Year’s Honors for her services to community development in Sandwell.

At Tuesday night’s full council meeting, Cllr Khatun said she was “very humbled and honoured” to become the borough’s first citizen. On becoming Mayor, Cllr Khatun said: “This is a great privilege and honor and my promise to everyone is that I will keep this honor and make Sandwell proud.

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“I am Sandwell’s first female Muslim mayor, which helps to reflect our diverse population in the borough and I feel very proud to represent everyone in Sandwell. I want to wish the leader, Councilor Kerrie Carmichael, her cabinet and all new and old councilors in the House, regardless of their political persuasion, well.

“I would also like to thank the Mayor’s dedicated team for all the work they have done over the past year.” Cllr Steve Melia, who represents Great Barr with Yew Tree, was also appointed as deputy mayor at Tuesday’s meeting. Cllr Melia’s sister Val Thacker will serve as Deputy Mayor.

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Votes of thanks were also passed to Councilor Bill Gavan and Deputy Mayor Councilor Elaine Giles at the ceremony. Cllr Khatun’s daughter Syeda Hasna will serve as Mayoress.

The Mayor will raise money for the children’s charity Acorns and the Yemeni Community Association’s (YCA) Let’s Talk Hope project. Acorns provides a network of palliative care and support for life-limited and at-risk children and their families.

YCA Let’s Talk Hope actively raises awareness, provides guidance and support to anyone affected by cancer, engaging with the community and various faith groups to destigmatize discussions about cancer.