Foysol Choudhury
| Foysol Hussain Choudhury MBE | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Native name | ফয়ছল হোসেন চৌধূরী |
| Born |
5 January 1969 Badardi, Nabiganj, Habiganj, Sylhet Division, East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) |
| Residence | Edinburgh, Scotland |
| Nationality | British |
| Ethnicity | Bengali |
| Alma mater | University of Edinburgh |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Years active | 1991–present |
| Known for | Politics and community relations |
| Title | Chairman of Edinburgh and Lothian's Regional Equality Council |
| Spouse(s) | Tahmina Choudhury (Moni) |
| Children | 2 |
| Parent(s) |
Al-Haj Gulam Rabbani Choudhury (father) Rukeya Rabbani Choudhury (mother) |
| Relatives |
Ripa Kadir (sister) Muffazal Choudhury (brother) Rema Choudhury (sister) Sheema Rahman (sister) Eipa Choudhury (sister) Wali Tasar Uddin (uncle) |
Foysol Choudhury, MBE (Bengali: ফয়ছল হোসেন চৌধূরী; born 5 January 1969) is a Bangladeshi-born British businessman. He is Chairman of the Edinburgh and Lothian's Regional Equality Council. He is one of the founding directors and the Vice Chair of the Edinburgh Mela. He is also Chairman of the Bangladesh Samity Edinburgh.
Early life
Choudhury was born in Badardi, Nabiganj, Habiganj, Sylhet Division, East Pakistan (now Bangladesh),[1] and grew up in Edinburgh, Scotland.[2]
Choudhury's parents are the late Al-Haj Gulam Rabbani Choudhury and Rukeya Rabbani Choudhury. He is eldest of six siblings, he one brother and five sisters.[1] In 1982, his father came and settled in Edinburgh. Choudhury's uncle is businessman Wali Tasar Uddin.[3]
Career
During his time studying at the University of Edinburgh, Choudhury took responsibility for his ailing father's business. He expanded the business and is now an entrepreneur with interests in catering, hospitality, finance and real estate across the United Kingdom and Bangladesh.[1]
Choudhury is a community activist in the UK. He has worked with the Scottish Government and various councils to improve community relations. He has played a leading role in several charities.[1]
He has been involved with the Edinburgh and Lothian's Regional Equality Council (ELREC) since he was a teenager and has been an active campaigner for equality and good race and inter faith relations in Scotland. He's served the ELREC as a Trustee, Company Secretary, Vice Chair and he is currently its Chairman. Choudhury has led the organisation through its transition from the race equality council to a pan-equalities regional council.[1][4][5][6] In 2013, he was re-elected for a fourth term.[3]
In 1991,[3] Choudhury co-founded the Edinburgh Mela[3] and is currently its Vice Chair. In 2010,[1] he was elected as the Chairman of the Bangladesh Samity Edinburgh (Bangladesh Association Edinburgh).[3] He has organised, annually, Bangladesh Independence Day Celebrations and other events to promote strong community relations.[1] Choudhury is the Chairman of the Guild of Bangladeshi Restaurateurs of Scotland and as one of the founding members of Dine Bangladeshi Campaign.[1]
Awards and recognition
In 2004, Choudhury was appointed a Member of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2004 New Year Honours[3] for his services to the community.[1] In 2006, he was awarded from the Channel S Award for his outstanding role as community worker and leader.[3]
Personal life
Choudhury is married Tahmina (Moni) Choudhury, and has a son, Ikram, and a daughter, Madiha.[1]
Choudhury is involved in fundraising campaigns, raising over a quarter of a million pounds for causes including Bangladesh Cyclone Appeal in Scotland, St Colombia's Hospice, Leukaemia and Cancer appeal, Sick Kids appeal, British Heart Foundation and many others. In addition to this he is also one of the organisers who built two shelter and 40 houses for the survivors of Cyclone Sidr Bangladesh in 2010.[1]
See also
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Karim, Mohammed Abdul; Karim, Shahadoth (November 2014). British Bangladeshi Who's Who (PDF). British Bangla Media Group. p. 68. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
- ↑ "Foysol Choudhury aiming for Alistair Darling seat". Edinburgh: The Scotsman. 6 November 2014. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Ahmed, Syed Shah Salim (14 November 2013). "Foysol Choudhury Re-elected Chair for Edinburgh & Lothian Regional Race Equality Council". GBNews24.com. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
- ↑ "Racist crime down in sign of improving city relations". Edinburgh: The Scotsman. 11 December 2013. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
- ↑ "407 racist or hate cases in schools". Edinburgh: The Scotsman. 5 February 2014. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
- ↑ Holden, John-Paul (21 February 2015). "Race equality body accuses council of ‘dishonesty’". Edinburgh: The Scotsman. Retrieved 20 February 2015.