“Turn the volume up!” the four memorable words uttered by Zohran Mamdani following his overwhelming victory in the New York mayoral elections. He addressed Donald Trump; a figure who sought to dehumanise, divide and disenfranchise the people of the city and tear apart Mamdani’s affordability mandate. Zohran responded by standing firm and remaining unapologetic in his identity as a Muslim New Yorker: this inspirational story is something we must try and implement within our own lives. Below is an article detailing the beginnings of community organising and youth advocacy.
In an age dominated by influencers and where every viral video becomes a child’s latest obsession, finding and directing our next generation to positive role models and valuable messages has in itself become a responsibility. In Cheadle we are blessed to have Councillor Huma Khan breaking barriers and role modelling what it means to be a muslim leader, a community advocate and in service to one’s neighbours.
“The best of companions in the sight of Allah is the one who is best to his companion, and the best of neighbours in the sight of Allah is the one who is best to his neighbour.”
– Jāmiʿ at-Tirmidhī, ḥadīth no. 1944
In November 2024 the CMA scouts girls met Councillor Khan and were tasked with writing up an interview. The words below are the words of our brilliant scout girls (mean age of 10). They formulated their own questions, the format of the interview and importantly have created the following article. Doing so was a vital exercise in media literacy and understanding others.
It is no exaggeration to say the girls were in awe of Councillor Khan. One of the girls even wrote ‘She is a superwoman’. The girls reflected that hearing from someone who has had similar struggles, resembles you and can relate to your lived experiences was invaluable in building their confidence. They were energised and educated on the importance of being part of the solution to our society’s issues by engaging with the wider community, challenging misconceptions and embodying islamic manners. It was a reminder that whatever career path or journey they embark on, rooting their intention for the sake of Allah was key.
Although a year has almost passed, the message and the aim of this interview is more true than ever. For young Muslims it is ever more pertinent to understand the issues within our communities. As a collective we can only address and overcome the divisions, advocate for ourselves and showcase the beauty of Islam if we have a seat at the table and are engaged in our communities. Our future safety and stability as a community is in the hands of our youth and it is our responsibility to provide them with the inspiration and guidance to be confident, competent and empathetic leaders.
Below is the interview that took place with Councillor Huma Khan:
Who is Councillor Khan?
Councillor Khan is a Liberal Democrat councillor for Cheadle West and Gatley as well as an assistant head teacher at a local school. She is the first muslim councilor in Stockport and is passionate about education, preserving our green spaces and inspiring the youth. In her spare time she likes to go to the gym, play with her nephews, learn the Seerah and educate herself on history and current affairs through podcasts and books. She feels it is important to read, learn and value different perspectives as a way to build understanding and empathy.
Why did she become a councillor?
Councillor Khan wanted to be a force for change. She is passionate about building stronger, more inclusive communities where everyone feels represented. Her journey began while taking part in local election campaigns and supporting Tom Morrison MP with his national campaign. Inspired by his dedication and commitment to representing his constituents she was motivated to stand as a councillor herself.
Who are her role models?
Many members of her family including her mum, her big sister, friends, Malala Yousefzai, Baroness Sayeeda Warsi and ofcourse our Prophet Muhammed (PBUH).
What are the three most important things to her?
- Giving children the best start to life
- Breaking down barriers to make opportunities accessible and inclusive for all
- Protecting our environment
What is her biggest goal?
Councillor Khan’s biggest goal is to make politics more accessible and diverse for everyone. She aims to inspire a more positive understanding of Muslims, challenging misconceptions and celebrating diversity.
Blue box soundbites:
Councillor Khan’s top tips:
- Do what you love and be proud of what you do.
- Never give up!
- Be prepared to come out of your comfort zone for personal growth
- Build relationships – every interaction can be dawah
- Know your community, listen to them and understand their issues to be a part of change
- Ask for help when you need it. This makes you stronger not weaker
- Be prepared. Do your research!
Councillor Khan’s dream:
“My dream is to go around the world and build schools”
