Borough welcomes its first Muslim mayor

Shahin Ashraf is the first person from an ethnic minority group to become mayor of the borough

A charity worker who has become Solihull's first Muslim mayor said she was "deeply humbled" to have been appointed.

Shahin Ashraf received overwhelming support from councillors as she was elected.

Ms Ashraf, who was made MBE in 2015, said she was "eager and excited" to begin "this new chapter on the journey of service, unity and progress."

“I promise to serve the borough with dedication and integrity," she told those who gathered at the meeting.

The new mayor, who was born in Meriden, previously worked in the charity sector and has spoken at the United Nations.

She was elected as a Green Party councillor for Shirley South in 2018 before becoming deputy leader of the group on the Conservative-run local authority.

Nominating Ms Ashraf, Green group leader Max McLoughlin said: "The fact Shahin wears a hijab means she is easily recognised for her faith but she is not defined by it.

“Shahin will be the first Muslim and first Muslim woman to be mayor of Solihull.

“This is something I know, and Shahin knows, comes with greater levels of attention and scrutiny than for many others who have worn the robes before.”

Fellow Green Party councillor Ben Groom said he hoped her appointment would mean “young women from our growing South Asian community and beyond will see politics is an achievable and rewarding option for them."

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.