Enfield borough’s first Bangladeshi-born mayor sworn in

Mohammad Islam grew up in the South Asian country before emigrating to Britain in 2004, reports Grace Howarth, local reporter for Democracy

Mohammad Islam has been elected Enfield’s new mayor for 2024/25 – the first in the borough’s history to be born in Bangladesh.

Cllr Islam, a Labor councillor, took over as mayor from Suna Hurman. Margaret Greer will be his deputy for the year.

The Ponders End ward councillor, who was elected in 2022, fought back tears as he thanked his family, fellow Labor councilors and Cllr Hurman for their support.

He said: “I am proud and honored to be here as mayor-elect of this great and vibrant borough of ours. My fellow councilors grant me a great privilege and honor, and I express my sincere appreciation for placing your trust in me.”

Cllr Islam spoke briefly about his journey to becoming Mayor, detailing his 2004 move to the UK from Bangladesh, where he was born.

The new mayor pointed out how he obtained his British citizenship in the same chamber where he was elected as mayor, and that in Bangladesh, where he grew up, only a “small percentage” of village children completed secondary education.

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“I am privileged that my father moved his family to the capital (Dhaka) for my higher education,” he said.

Cllr Islam explained that after moving to the UK and completing his studies at the University of Roehampton and Queen Mary University, he worked in Tesco in the evenings and taught in colleges during the day.

Council leader Nesil Caliskan thanked outgoing mayor Cllr Hurman for his work in the district and expressed his support for Cllr Islam.

Cllr Caliskan said: “He was a dedicated person in his (deputy) role. I look forward to seeing him take over as mayor, I knew him before he became a councilor as someone involved in the community.

“He especially cares about Ponders End, which he has chosen to make his home. I have no doubt that in the coming year the commitment he has shown to the residents will be the same level that he shows in the role of mayor.”

Opposition Leader Alessandro Georgiou seconded Cllr Islam’s support, describing him as “a good man, a gentleman, fair in committees and a friend on the backbenches”.

Cllr Greer, District Councilor for Upper Edmonton, was elected Deputy Mayor after being nominated by Cllr Caliskan and seconded by Cllr Georgiou.

Cllr Georgiou said: “Cllr Greer was fair and gave me time, sometimes too much time Cllr Caliskan might say, to get my point across.

“The toughest critic of anyone in this room is Michael Rye and if Cllr Greer is OK in Cllr Rye’s book then she is OK in mine.”

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