Why I had to speak out - Shah

Arooj Shah: harassment

LABOUR councillor Arooj Shah has revealed the harassment and intimidation she has suffered as an Asian woman councillor.

In an interview for the BBC’s “Newsnight”, the St Mary’s ward councillor slammed the actions of a minority of “venomous Asian men”. The programme, which aired on Friday, was responding to claims by the Muslim Women’s Network UK about the blocking of vocal, independent Muslim women by male members of the Labour Party of Pakistani heritage.

Councillor Shah claimed influential local Labour members had spread damaging rumours about her, and that an image of a nude model with her head superimposed on to it had been posted through her door.

She also claimed some members of the local Labour group would support her male colleagues but not her — just because she is an Asian woman in politics.

Speaking afterwards to the Oldham Chronicle, Councillor Shah said: “I have to emphasise it’s the minority of venomous Asian men I’m speaking out against. It was really hostile in 2011/12 when they saw my ambitions to become a councillor. It brought out their insecurities.

“Now I’m so resilient that while it might momentarily annoy me, it doesn’t bother me.

“I want to speak out to shame the men who act in disgusting ways but also to give women strength and confidence in what they do. We can’t allow a small minority to drain every ounce of energy from us.”

Councillor Shah, who was elected to represent the ward in 2012, said Friday’s programme was the first time her family knew of the harassment she had faced.

Since the programme Councillor Shah has received messages of support from men and women across the country, including Oldham Council leader Jean Stretton who tweeted her pride in her “friend and Cabinet member” for speaking out.