My connection to Bristol runs deep, as a born Bristolian, a lifelong resident and through the numerous roles I’ve held here. I’m currently a Green Party councillor for Ashley Ward, focusing on the finances, communities and sustainability of our great city, but I’m also a businessman, opening my first venture at the age of 16, which grew into a successful chain.
I’ve dedicated my life to community service. In 2005, I was the first South Asian councillor to be elected in recent times, and I’ve had the honour of chairing Easton Jamia Masjid, a place of worship established over four decades ago. I’m the founder of many community initiatives, like the Bristol Kashmir Foundation and Feed the Homeless Bristol – I’ve also served as a Governor for both a primary and secondary school, as well as being a Magistrate for Avon and Somerset. I’ve been honoured with the Lord Mayor’s Medal for community work, MTM Person of the Year and recognition on the University of Bristol’s BME Power List. These accolades reflect not just my work but the collective spirit of Bristol’s people, whose trust and collaboration have shaped every step of my journey.
Easton Jamia Masjid on St Marks Road in Easton is the place that inspires me most. Leading the redevelopment of this space is one of my favourite memories. Over the course of a decade it was an opportunity to give back to a place that had given me so much – a spiritual home where I learned about my roots and faith. The trust placed in me by the community was overwhelming, and seeing the completed mosque stand as a beacon of unity and pride for Bristol is something I’ll never forget, having walked in the steps of my elders who established the mosque over 40 years ago it was a true honour to bring the building to life with the new ideas and approach.
The mosque is where I’ve spent my life learning about my roots and religion, so when the community entrusted me to lead the redevelopment as chair, it was profoundly humbling. The work won the mosque a Bristol Civic Award, two National Beacon Awards, and its own Lord Mayor’s Medal for being a role model institution. To me, the mosque represents the beauty of community and faith, and it stands as a testament to what can be achieved through hard work and unity.
Easton perfectly embodies Bristol’s diversity. Walking its streets, you’ll hear different languages, see food from all corners of the world, and experience a unique energy that only comes from a thriving multicultural community. It’s a place where cultures don’t just coexist – they interact and enrich each other and I’d say the epicentre of Easton has to be the amazing St Marks Road, being the ‘Greatest Street in the Country’ as awarded by the Academy of Urbanism. It hosts the Grand Iftar, a gathering of more than 3,000 people yearly in Ramadan, and the businesses – as well as religious institutions, which includes the mosque and church – work together to make a real impact to the local residents and visitors.
Bristolians have a fierce sense of justice and community. Whether it’s standing up for the environment, supporting vulnerable groups, or preserving the city’s heritage, we’re always ready to take action. What sets us apart is our ability to balance a progressive outlook with deep respect for tradition and culture.
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