In Birmingham, the second largest city in the UK, a representative of the Muslim community, Zakir Choudhry, became mayor for the first time. At the ceremony, the newly elected mayor delivered a speech and a Muslim chaplain blessed him with an Islamic prayer.
Birmingham's new mayor: a historic choice for the city
Birmingham, which is second only to London in terms of population, has for the first time entrusted the leadership of the city to a representative of the Muslim community. A native of Pakistan became mayor Zakir Chaudhry. During his first speech to the city council, Chaudhry's English was not very fluent, but this did not stop him from thanking the community for their trust. The meeting was also attended by a Muslim chaplain, who read a prayer wishing the mayor «prosperity, wisdom and success» in his new position.
Birmingham: a city of many cultures
Today, a significant proportion of Birmingham's population is made up of people from South Asia, particularly Pakistan and Bangladesh. The Muslim community is one of the largest in the city, reflecting Birmingham's multicultural character. Chaudhry's election as mayor was a symbol of changes in the city's political landscape and confirmed the influence of different ethnic communities on the life of modern Britain.
