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Bangladesh High Commissioner to the UK, Abida Islam, held her first official meeting with Tower Hamlets Executive Mayor Lutfur Rahman, during which she proposed to celebrate “Bangladeshi Heritage Month” in collaboration with the Tower Hamlets Council and the Bangladesh High Commission.\nMayor Lutfur Rahman warmly received High Commissioner Abida Islam at the Tower Hamlets Council. As the first-ever Muslim and non-white elected Mayor in Europe, Mr. Rahman oversees the strategic direction of the council, managing a \u00a36 billion budget and leading a workforce of 12,500 staff.
\nWelcoming the proposal, Mayor Lutfur Rahman expressed strong support for a Bangladesh Cultural Week, as suggested by the High Commissioner. High Commissioner Abida Islam emphasized the importance of promoting cultural exchange in the areas of art, cuisine, and heritage. She also proposed the formation of a joint core group between the Bangladesh High Commission and Tower Hamlets Council to implement the initiative.
\nIn addition, High Commissioner Islam urged the council to take steps toward including Bangla as an option in the GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) curriculum. Tower Hamlets has the highest concentration of Bangladeshis (35%) and Muslims (40%) of any borough in the UK, making it a natural hub for cultural celebration and inclusion.
\nThe High Commissioner also highlighted the importance of preserving and promoting the Bangla language and culture among the younger generation of British-Bangladeshis. \u201cBy staying connected to their roots, young British-Bangladeshis can contribute meaningfully to the development of Bangladesh,\u201d she stated.
\nAcknowledging the achievements of British-Bangladeshi youth across sectors in British society, High Commissioner Islam noted their potential to serve as bridges between the two nations.
\nMayor Rahman reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening ties with Bangladesh. \u201cI am proud to be a Bangladeshi. We want a peaceful and progressive Bangladesh,\u201d he said, underscoring the borough\u2019s inclusive, multicultural character.
\nTower Hamlets is a significant economic hub in the UK, with an annual economic output of \u00a330 billion\u2014greater than that of Birmingham or Manchester, and exceeding the GDP of several sovereign nations such as Malta and Monaco. Although it occupies only 1% of London\u2019s land area, the borough contributes 7% of London\u2019s total economic output and 2% of the UK’s. It is home to Canary Wharf, the UK\u2019s financial district, as well as the prestigious Queen Mary University and the Royal London Hospital, Europe\u2019s largest.
\nMayor Rahman served as Executive Mayor of Tower Hamlets from 2010 to 2015 and resumed the role in May 2022. He was previously the Labour leader of the borough from 2008 to 2010 and is currently one of only six Executive Mayors in London.<\/p>\n