Chair,
It's my privilege to propose Mo Munir for the office of Deputy Lord Mayor.
And to welcome his family today - his wife Shaheen, 3 "children" - Tanvir, Zahir and Henna. His brother Bashir, wife his wife Kaneeza and son Saeed; and Mo's niece Khalda Parveen and her children Ashi and Noshi. Also his cousin Bashir and his wife Shamin.
Mo is a co-Councillor and a close colleague, who has many fine qualities that he will bring to this post and to that of Lord Mayor in the following year.
Mo likes people and he likes talking to people. He is a conciliator and a diplomat, who bring people and communities together.
Mo values freedom. Raised in a military state, and a member of a political party whose aim was to bring a political democracy to his native land. He can bring strong personal testimony to occasions where he meets people who don't perceive the value of local democracy so strongly.
And Mo is an entrepreneur. He's run a bus company and a cinema – showing “Lolliwood” films - before running manufacturing businesses. It's been a life of some struggle and he's well aware from his time on the shop floor of the oppression and exploitation that working people can suffer.
His partner and wife - Shaheen - will contribute strongly to the work of the office. Shaheen takes an active part in community life and runs facilities and events, particularly for girls and in particular - the famous Netball team. Henna, too, will be helping at some of the events - in between her degree studies.
Mo has led a very full life and he’ll bring a wide range of experiences to the job. He was a driver on the NCT buses serving on the navy and Maroon lines – or the No. 48 and the No. 13 as they were known then. He is the British Secretary of Imran Khan's political party. He was the start of an "It's Your Shout" programme last January. He has the largest teapot in Nottingham. And as John Heppell remarks - he always pays his round.
We can dwell on the details more next year – but the watch words for his term of office will be - conciliation - political democracy - entrepreneurship. 3 fine qualities that Mo will bring to his role as a civic.
And I know his mother living in Bahawal Nagar will be very proud of his election today.
Good luck to Mo and his family next year.
[Last updated – 2004-05-20]
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