2013 British Bangladeshi Power 100 unveiled

The British Bangladeshi Power100 advisory committee has announced the names for the BBPower100 at a press conference held at the Commonwealth Room in the House of Commons, Westminster.

The 2013 list is the second publication of the BBPower100 which is a celebration of leading British Bangladeshi figures who are helping shape Britain for the better with their ideas, example, talent and success.

Toping their categories are, amongst others, Iqbal Ahmed OBE (Chairman of the Seamark Group), Ruby Millie MBE (makeup artist), Ajmalul Hussain QC, Lutfur Rahman (first directly elected British Bangladeshi Executive Mayor), and Nina Hossain.  The list also revealed less well known and emerging faces such as Ruqsana Begum (British Kickboxing Champion), Sabirul Islam (the “Teen-Trepreneur”), Rahima Begum (founder of human rights charity Restless Beings) and Zoe Rahman (MOBO winner).

BBPower100 also recognised the incredible contribution made by British Bangladeshis to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games including names such as Akram Khan MBE (Choreographer/performer at the opening ceremony), Dr Abdul Bari (LOCOG board member), Saiman Miah (Olympic £5 coin designer), PC Sakira Suzia (Torch Security Team), Ayesha Qureshi MBE (2012 Bid member) and many more including volunteers and torch bearers.

Guests at the reception included Theresa May MP, Home Secretary,  Chuka Umunna MP (Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Innovation & Skills), Rushanara Ali MP,  Stephen Timms MP, John Biggs AM, Tasmin Lucia Khan and Zoe Rahman.

The event was hosted by Anne Main MP (Member of Parliament for St Albans and Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Bangladesh).

The full list of BBPower100 names can be viewed at www.bbpower100.com .

Abdal Ullah, Founder of BBPower100 said: “We have been delighted by the success of BBPower100. This is a unique publication recognising the depth and breadth of British Bangladeshis. For 2013, we continue to pay tribute to those who are helping shape Britain for the better with their ideas, example, talent and success and have discovered some hidden jewels as well as celebrating the more well known personalities in the community.”

Ayesha Qureshi MBE, Editor of BBPower100 said: “We are a diverse community growing in strength and confidence. We want the BBPower100 to be used as a resource and a focus of discussion.  We hope that you will celebrate the amazing stories of the 100 but also take time to pause and reflect on how to inspire and support the next generation to achieve more.”

Iqbal Wahhab OBE, Chair of BBPower100 Judging Panel said: “The British Bangladeshi stamp over society now covers vast areas from musicians through to fashion designers and business tycoons. The fact that the judging panel had to struggle to find representation from more than one political party for the politics category of the list shows that the mainstream parties have failed to make a significant impact over this community and is something they urgently need to address.”

Shiria Khatun elected as Shanaz Network Vice Chair

Emdad Rahman: Tower Hamlets Councillor Shiria Khatun has been elected as the Vice Chair of the Shanaz, Network, the first national preventing violent extremism network for women across England & Wales.

The East India & Lansbury Ward Councillor was elected by the fellow members of the body during an election in Leicester.

She said: “The Shanaz Network has been established to break down barriers and will encourage women to play an active part in the Government’s Prevent agenda. The Network will provide a platform for the group to participate as equals in decision-making around the development of policy and strategy, in an area of policing which impacts directly upon them. I am grateful to have the support of my colleagues and I hope to repay the faith shown in me by working with them to drive the network forward.”

The Shanaz network, opened by The Home Secretary, the Right Honourable Theresa May, in March 2012  was initially started up by a female Asian Detective Inspector and has now become a constituted body. Project Shanaz has been developed by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) Prevent Delivery Unit (PDU) to understand the perception women have about Prevent activity and share how local police forces have overcome obstacles to engagement. This area of work was also highlighted by the comprehensive study carried out by Universities’ Police Science Institute at Cardiff University (UPSI) in 2010, which assessed the effects of policing in delivery of the Government’s Prevent strategy in the Muslim communities of Britain. The report highlighted women as a hard to reach group of people in local communities.

The Network’s objectives include; work to address ideologies which terrorists use to recruit people to their cause; work to support those who may be vulnerable to radicalisation, and work to strengthen institutions which can play a role in Prevent. The Shanaz Network will report on and review progress through an online community forum. The Network also quality assures guidance on how to engage women in this area of policing, which can be used by police forces across the country.

In May 2006, Khatun was first elected as a councillor for East India and Lansbury ward. Soon after getting elected, she was appointed by the former Mayor of London Ken Livingstone as his adviser for Transport for London.

She was previously a Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and has also served on the Scrutiny Committees researching on underage drinking in the borough.

Hamza joins The Brilliant Club

Emdad Rahman: A Newham pupil has taken part and succeeded in a groundbreaking initiative to help students from inner city schools and disadvantaged backgrounds to study at top universities.

Hamza-Yunus Islam, an 11 year old year 6 pupil from Essex Primary School, was selected to take part in researching, writing and presenting an essay on a key and relevant topic.

Hamza-Yunus and his fellow students took part in the 'Newham Honours Programme' where Gifted and Talented pupils were targeted to participate. It is a government initiative programme which encourages Oxford and Cambridge to encourage bright children from working class families to apply to top universities. The researchers will follow the likes of Hamza in secondary school and then sixth the form.

Hamza-Yunus completed an assignment at school, facilitated and supported by PHD students. The process involved 4-6 weeks of research. Hamza-Yunus achieved a 2:1 and his graduation took place at Oxford University.

Hamza-Yunus's essay was titled “what is Fairness?” and within it he attempted to explain the concept of fairness, citing examples and presenting evidence.

The youngster, who plays Chess and supports Manchester United highlighted the views of American Author Rick Riordan who has written; “Fairness does not mean everyone gets the same. Fairness means everyone gets what they need.”

Joss Whedon’s views received a mention too; “Equality is not a concept. It's not something we should be striving for. It's a necessity. Equality is like gravity. We need it to stand on this earth as men and women. Fairness is equality.”

Hamza-Yunus, who wants to study towards a distinguished medical career, believes education is very important for people to make positive progress in life. He is very pleased with his achievement and hopes that his success will inspire more young people like him to apply and attend top universities in the future. He thanked his parents, sisters and extended family for their support; “Many of us are fortunate enough to have both parents who who are well and alive. In a recent TV programme called ‘Children In Need’, it showed that some children as young as seven or eight years old had to look after their own ill parents because they have certain illnesses or disease such as cancer. Because the parents cannot do anything for themselves, the children have to look after them and , in some cases, run the household. They are forced to grow up more quicker than other customary children because they do not have time to play and do things, other children do. For example, going to school or playing with friends. I am lucky that I have a lot of support.”

Many of the scenes in the Harry Potter feature films are shot in various locations of Christchurch College and this was one reason why Hamza-Yunus couldn't wait to visit the esteemed seat of learning: “I loved visiting Oxford University, especially as the Harry Potter films were shot there. I’m a huge fan,” he said.

His proud Mother Afia added: “Hamza has been dedicated to this essay right from the start. We are extremely proud of his achievement and it is indeed a reflection of the superb support that he receives from his teachers. We hope that Hamza-Yunus can continue his progress and achieve his academic aspirations in the future.”

The scheme was facilitated and supported by The Brilliant Club, an award winning non-profit organisation that exists to widen access to top universities for outstanding pupils from low-participation backgrounds. The primary activity is to recruit, train and place PhD students in non-selective state schools and sixth form colleges serving low participation communities to deliver programmes of university-style tutorials to small groups of outstanding students, which develop the skills, confidence and ambition that help those students to secure places at top universities.

Working together with schools, colleges and universities, The Brilliant Club are building a national movement that mobilises PhD students to engage with challenging schools and to address educational disadvantage more broadly.

Broadsides: Caricature and the Navy 1775–1815

Dates: Open daily
Times: 10.00-17.00
Fee: FREE
Location: National Maritime Museum

This exhibition explores the history of the Royal Navy, late 18th to early 19th centuries, through the acerbic wit of caricature of that time.

This was a period of intense naval activity which included the Seven Years War, the American War of Independence, and the wars against Revolutionary and Napoleonic France. A new and popular form of graphic satire also emerged, as caricature developed into a highly sophisticated art form. Contemporary political and naval events were dissected with biting humour and a journalistic concern for current affairs.

A selection from the Museum’s extensive collection of caricatures is on show, highlighting important naval actions and personalities, and presenting a unique perspective on the Navy’s place in British society and culture. In doing so, the exhibition also illuminates the continuing contemporary relevance of political caricature and graphic satire.

Image: detail of 'John Bull taking a Luncheon: - or - British Cooks, cramming Old Grumble-Gizzard, with Bonne-Chere, by James Gillray; H. Humphrey, published 24 October 1798. Repro ID: PW3941. ©NMM, Greenwich, London.

Canaries face Anfield freeze

Liverpool 5-0 Norwich

We popped up to Anfield shivering

Day being treacherous, cold and gray

Suarez and Sturridge now starting

Together for the first time today

Rocket of a Henderson strike 

Put the Reds ahead in the ring

Sturridge dummy was ghostlike

Suarez graciously accepting

Sturridge tap to make it three

Gerrard rifling one from 25 yards

New boy matches Ray Kennedy

Bennett crashed like a pack of cards

13.01.13

Number7

© Emdad Rahman

www.football-poems.com

Donegal boys shine

The magic of the cup grew

For Donegal's Carl McHugh

Beat Donegal's Irish legend in the semi

Shay Given marked for a shirt

Boyhood hero was rather hurt

Bantams with a shock home victory

Number7

(C) Emdad Rahman

www.football-poems.com

Bradford City 3-1 Aston Villa

League Cup Semi Final first leg

8th January 2013

Charlton 2-1 Blackpool

We visited the valley to watch Charlton host managerless Blackpool.

Johnnie Jackson and Scott Wagstaff both scored before half time to ensure a home win.

Nathan Eccleston struck an injury time consolation for caretaker Steve Thompson's Seasiders.

We were also able to cast an eye on Liverpool target Thomas Ince who put in another good shift despite being shackled by an organised Addicks back four.