Weekly Column: Mayor Mohammed Zaman

To start, I would like to say that I am really honoured to have this position. I have been very well received in this beautiful town by its beautiful people, who respect each other and value the diversity. I am glad to represent the community and receive warm welcomes everywhere I go, which is greatly appreciated as I am still learning to adjust to this role.

Week commencing Monday 14 – Sunday 20 May 2018

As my first official engagement as Mayor of Rochdale, I visited Wardle Academy in a celebration of musical talent. I am very pleased this was my first engagement as it gave me a boost of confidence and encouragement to handle the mayoral role.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/138/community-news/118952/

On Thursday, I joined the veterans breakfast club at the town hall before the rainbow flag raise. Even though I am currently fasting because of Ramadan, this proved to be good interaction as we all learnt something from one another.

After the flag raise, we went to Hopwood Hall College where I picked up leaflets on homophobia, transphobia and biphobia; learning lots of information for future reference.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/118933/

Friday, I attended Heywood Rotary Clubs 85^th charter dinner and was glad to see that I wasn’t the only person with a chain. The event was very well organised which made it a good get together. I felt at home with everybody as we listened to good music and had good laughs.

Saturday was a busy day. First, I attended Rochdale Stroke Association’s charity walk ‘Step Out’ at Queen’s Park. Over 200 people completed the walk from around the borough.

I send my thanks to Chris, Joanne and Janine who organised the walk and collected donations whilst giving out badges.

I hope to support small charities like this in the future, who are doing good things throughout the borough.

Sandon House in Heywood invited me to join them for a royal wedding lunchtime celebration.

I was very pleased to share information about my mayoral role in this happy and positive environment as everybody waved their flags. The spirit of the volunteers was nice to witness.

Afterwards, I attended a dinner for the Association of Open University graduates who chose to have their meeting in Rochdale this year. I was especially pleased with the invited guest speaker who spoke about the history of Rochdale and Gracie Fields.

I then travelled to Bilal Mosque in the evening for a fasting open day. I enjoyed the presentation made on fasting and why it is important, as well as the buffet afterwards.

Sunday was spent at Rochdale Parish Church of St Chad’s for the Mayoral Civic Sunday and Whit Sunday where we said prayers.

Week commencing Monday 21 – Sunday 27 May 2018

On Tuesday (22 May) I again attended St Chad’s for a remembrance service, marking one year since the Manchester Arena attack. The event was very well attended with people joining us from lots of different faiths. We rang the church bells 22 times and had one minute of silence for the victims. Imam Hassanat from Bilal Mosque spoke, as well as the town centre chaplain Reverend Mark Coleman and Robin Parker from the Multi-Faith Partnership who read a poem. I felt this event was so full of heart for these victims, under very sad circumstances.

Tuesday afternoon was very special for me as I led the British Citizenship presentation at the Town Hall. This was something I observed last year as the deputy mayor, so I was prepared. It was nice to see smiles of relief on people’s faces as they were recognised as British citizens.

Tuesday evening was Rochdale’s Big Iftar event which over 350 people attended. Here, we had various speakers, one minute of silence and placed flowers on the cenotaph outside as we continued to remember the Manchester victims. I saw the devastation this had on the families and friends of the victims as people travelled from Manchester to share their sentiments; this attack struck lots of people but also united us together.

Even though this was not a fundraising event for the Mayor’s charities, I appreciate the support from people who made donation efforts, and the spirit of the young volunteers who came to help. We raised just over £300.

Thursday (24 May), I heard some beautiful voices at the Town Hall as we celebrated Rochdale Music Festival and gave out awards.

The young people had so much to showcase and were very talented – some could even be the next Gracie Fields.

I hope I encouraged the young people with positivity, so they can be successful in whatever field they choose. I feel this is an important duty of mine, ensuring young people create a chain of inspiration, as an example for future generations.

Friday morning, I went to Hopwood Hall College in Middleton for the public service passing out parade. Students involved were those training to be in either the army, navy and police.

This was a real test in the rain after we have had nice weather all week, but it was still great to see the parents come out to support those involved. I wish all the students luck for the future and thank the principal and vice principal for inviting me.

The parade went very well, and I was honoured to present the prizes.

Friday afternoon, I went to Sandbrook School for afternoon tea in aid of breast cancer. This was a small event but for a big cause and I am happy to support their fundraising for Cancer Research UK.

This weekend I have no engagements.