Colour no barrier to success

Mayor Making Cllr Ateeque - Ur -Rehman and Former Mayor Cllr Fida Hussain

New mayor Councillor Ateeque Ur-Rehman, who didn’t know a word of English when he first came to Oldham, said skin colour and religion were not barriers.

At a ceremony at Oldham Civic Centre’s council chamber, the councillor for the Medlock Vale ward since 2004 was handed the chains by outgoing mayor and close friend Councillor Fida Hussain.

Councillor Ur-Rehman first arrived in Oldham in 1978 but returned to Pakistan three years later only to return to the town for good in 1989 where his grandfather had settled.

Councillor Ur-Rehman became a member of a number of local committees including the Pakistani Community Centre, where he soon went on to become its youngest ever chairman.

Lacking confidence in his English skills, Councillor Ur-Rehman at first played more of a listening role in committees but developed the language with the help of reading newspapers and watching television.

Councillor Ur-Rehman, who lives in Coppice with his wife Councillor Yasmin Toor and their three children, stood for council three times before winning his seat in the Medlock Vale ward in 2004. Councillor Toor is the new Mayoress of Oldham.

Councillor Ur-Rehman said: “It is a great pleasure, privilege and honour to be the 42nd mayor of Oldham.

“I would like to say thank you to the outgoing mayor Fida Hussain and mayoress Tanvir Hussain — they have done a fantastic job for Oldham.

“I would also like to thank the residents of Medlock Vale — without their continued support this would not have been possible.

“The fact that I have been given this honour goes to show that the colour of your skin, religion or ethnicity is not a barrier.

“I believe that the role of mayor is to be an ambassador for Oldham. Oldham has a story to tell and I am delighted to tell it. I am looking forward to fulfilling my role with the utmost dedication.”

Councillor Ur-Rehman has chosen The Christie Oldham, Ace Centre North, Dr Kershaw’s, Action Oldham Fund and Oldham Foodbank as the Mayor’s Charity Appeal charities.

The Deputy Mayor is Councillor Derek Heffernan.

Councillor Riaz Ahmad said of the new mayor: “He is a man of huge determination.

“He is an Oldhamer through and through and will make a great ambassador for the borough.”

email: alexcarey@oldham- chronicle.co.uk