Jilani Chowdhury
| Cllr Jilani Chowdhury | |
|---|---|
| জীলালী চৌধুরী | |
| Mayor of Islington | |
|
In office 10 May 2012 – 16 May 2013 | |
| Deputy | Barry Edwards |
| Preceded by | Phil Kelly |
| Succeeded by | Barry Edwards |
| Deputy Mayor of Islington | |
|
In office 12 May 2011 – 10 May 2012 | |
| Preceded by | Shelley Coupland |
| Succeeded by | Barry Edwards |
| Councillor for Barnsbury ward in Islington Borough | |
|
Assumed office 4 May 2006 | |
| Preceded by | Sylvia Wright |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
18 September 1964 Moulvibazar District, Sylhet Division, East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) |
| Nationality | British |
| Political party | Labour |
| Spouse(s) | Nilu Chowdhury |
| Children | 3 |
| Residence | Tufnell Park, Archway, Islington, London, England |
| Alma mater | London Metropolitan University |
| Profession | Politician |
| Religion | Islam |
Jilani Chowdhury (Bengali: জীলালী চৌধুরী; born 18 September 1964) is a British Labour Party politician, councillor for Barnsbury and former Mayor of Islington. In May 2012, he became Islington's first Bangladeshi mayor.
Early life
Chowdhury was born in Moulvibazar District, East Pakistan (now Bangladesh).[1] He attended Moulvibazar Government High School.
Civil service career
Chowdhury was General Secretary of the Students Union of Moulvibazar College, Bangladesh. In this role he took part in the movement against the military regime in Bangladesh.[2][3] Having finished his BA degree, he joined the civil service and was selected as General Secretary of the Civil Service Association of Bangladesh, standing for employee rights and equal opportunities.[3]
He was also involved in the Bangladeshi student movement, campaigning for the removal of the military dictatorship and the restoration of democracy.[4]
Political career
In 1992, Chowdhury arrived in Archway, London, England.[4] When he and his wife first arrived in Islington they stayed with her father above an Indian restaurant in Holloway Road.[4]
Chowdhury became involved in local politics through supporting Jeremy Corbyn MP as a translator and then joined the Labour Party.[1] In May 2006, in the Islington Borough Council election, he was elected as a Labour Party councillor for Barnsbury[2] and has served as Deputy Mayor of Islington since 2011.[3] During his time as a councillor, Jilani completed a BSc degree in Community Sector Management at London Metropolitan University.[3] After serving as deputy mayor for a year, in May 2012, he was elected Mayor of Islington and became Islington's first Bangladeshi mayor.[5][6][7]
Community work
Chowdury is project manager for a community centre for older people called Working With Older People in Camden (where he has worked for 10 years), which focuses on offering services that are culturally appropriate for its users.[3][4] He is also governor at Thornhill Primary School.[3]
Personal life
Chowdury lives in Tufnell Park, Archway, London with his wife Nilu, two sons Isdhani and Ijtihad, and daughter Nuzhat. Both Chowdury's parents are dead.[4]
See also
- British Bangladeshi
- List of British Bangladeshis
- List of ethnic minority politicians in the United Kingdom
References
- 1 2 Karim, Mohammed Abdul; Karim, Shahadoth (October 2012). British Bangladeshi Who's Who (PDF). British Bangla Media Group. p. 21. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
- 1 2 Dean, Jon (12 May 2012). "Islington names first Bangladeshi mayor". Islington: Islington Gazette. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "First Bangladeshi Mayor of Islington is set to be appointed". Avrupa Times. 22 August 2012. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Gruner, Peter (11 May 2012). "Jilani Chowdhury becomes Islington's new Mayor, 20 years after arriving from Bangladesh". Islington: Islington Tribune. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
- ↑ Horrocks, Caroline (2 May 2012). "First Bangladeshi Mayor of Islington is set to be appointed". Islington Council. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
- ↑ Dudman, Jane (2 May 2012). "Directly elected mayors: how much difference will they make?". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
- ↑ "Mayor in Focus at Archway Heights". 24dash.com. 26 September 2012. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
External links
| Civic offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Phil Kelly |
Mayor of Islington 10 May 2012 – 16 May 2013 |
Succeeded by Barry Edwards |