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A new Mayor and Mayoress for Pendle
Published: Friday, 20th May 2022
New Mayor, Councillor Yasser Iqbal, has become Pendle’s first citizen during the annual Mayor Making ceremony on Thursday 19 May at Nelson Town Hall.
Councillor Iqbal, who was born and bred in Pendle, is joined by his wife Mariam who is taking up the role of Mayoress.
He said: “Taking on the role of first citizen of Pendle fills me with great excitement and pride.
“On occasions like these, it takes me back to the time when my forefathers arrived in this country in the sixties and I wonder whether they could have imagined days like these in their wildest of dreams.
“My grandfather, Haji Ghias Ahmed, is the reason for my and my family’s success and I would like to pay tribute to him.”
Councillor Iqbal attended Walter Street Primary School and Mansfield High School in Brierfield, then Clitheroe Royal Grammar Sixth Form before graduating from the University of Manchester.
He studied to be a barrister and was called to the Bar by Lincoln’s Inn in London and qualified in 2015.
He said: “My job as a barrister takes me around the country but I can honestly say that there is no better place than Pendle.
“It is where I live, where all my family and friends are, where I have decided to raise my family.
“Home is where the heart is, and my heart is very much in Pendle.”
Part of the Mayor and Mayoress’ role is to raise awareness of local charities, highlighting organisations which are doing a fantastic job for the community.
This year The Mayoress’ Charity Appeal Fund will be supporting:
- Pendleside Hospice
- Nelson Community Masjid (NCM) Foodbank
- Curry On The Street
- Rise Support
- Hope for Mankind.
Councillor Iqbal has announced that he will be donating all of his Mayor’s allowance to these charities.
Councillor Brian Newman has been appointed Deputy Mayor.
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