Asian sunday news issue 8

04 Great British Bake off or Great British Fake Off?

14

Ghap Shap with former Apprentice star and social entrepreneur Melody Hossaini

18 OCT 2015

Issue 8

FREE NATIONAL

Britain’s FIRST FREE Sunday Newspaper

Your FREE copy of Asian Style Magazine Inside

17 Yet another Immigration Bill

MISSING???

Or AT WAR?

Read more on pages 6 and 7

2

ASIAN SUNDAY Issue 8

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'Imminent Earthquake' could kill 40 mln, divide continents A top scientist Dr Keshe claims that an imminent Earthquake is capable of killing 40 million people and dividing continent.

Dr Keshe, in a YouTube video, said that an earth-shattering tremor could divide North and South America, reported the Daily Star.

Dr Keshe who has studied nuclear engineering at the University of London claimed that North China will suffer a number of serious

earthquakes in the coming weeks.

The scientist also added that this theory is his own "school of thought" In his video, he predicted an earthquake with the magnitude of between 20 and 24 would strike South America.

He also talked about the 8.3 magnitude earthquake that hit Chile last month, leading to evacuation of one million people from their homes.

EU agrees €3 billion action plan with Turkey to ease migrant crisis

Baby dies after being thrown from a New York apartment

EU states have backed an action plan with Turkey, which it is hoped will ease the flow of migrants to Europe.

Nearly 600,000 migrants have reached the EU by sea so far this year, many of them travelling from Turkey.

Turkey will receive up to €3 billion (£2.2 billion) in aid and fast-track access to visas in return for clamping down on the flow of migrants to Europe. The leaders agreed to speed up visa liberalisation talks

for Turks if Turkey stems the influx and to "re-energise" talks on it joining the EU. Donald Tusk, the president of the European Council, said he felt "cautious optimism" over the deal.

London’s Night Tube service could be delayed until 2016 Transport trade unions believe London's Night Tube service could be delayed until next year after the latest talks with Underground bosses ended in deadlock.

The new 24-hour weekend service was originally due to begin on 12 September, but was postponed due to an ongoing dispute between the unions and London Underground chiefs over staff pay and conditions.

A senior union source told the Evening Standard: "The talks have been crawling along anyway – and now they have stopped. Unless London Underground dramatically improves its offer – and there is no sign of that happening – then there is little chance of [the] Night Tube happening this year."

A six-month-old girl has died after being thrown from the window of a New York City apartment building.

The baby died after being thrown from the sixth floor of the block of flats in the Fordham Heights area of the Bronx.

A spokesman for the New York Police Department said a 27-year-old woman, believed to be the child's mother, was in the apartment with four

The newspaper says a delay until next year will cost London's businesses, restaurants and theatres "tens of millions of pounds".

Finn Brennan, Aslef union organiser on London Underground, claimed the unions had put forward a number of proposals to resolve the dispute, but that London Underground had rejected them all.

"Most disappointingly of all they have decided to blackmail their own employees by refusing to make a pay offer unless staff agree to worsen their working conditions," he said.

"That is not something we are prepared to accept. Underground

children at the time.

The three other children were taken to a hospital despite not suffering any injuries.

Officials have confirmed the woman was taken to hospital for an evaluation.

No charges have been filed.

This is the third death of a child thrown from a New York apartment since August.

management have completely mishandled these negotiations. They have wasted every opportunity for a settlement and seem to have been determined to provoke confrontation rather than resolution."

Guide TOP TIP FOR SKIN It’s not just women

Y best eateries in Bradford & District

Issue 8

men can also banish spots, signs of ageing and dry tight skin.

The products we all shouldn’t go without

by ZARA HASSAN

ASIAN SUNDAY

3

THREE FOODS TO TRY AN AVOID DURING FASTING NEWS

Through the decades, every era has had its own particular fashion trend focusing on prints and styles. We can now

If you’re planning on buying vintage I think you should always start small, shop with something in mind.

Three foods you’ve been item, told are ‘healthy’ that actually and can cause seriouspiece health in my opinion would be aincrease coat. It’sweight something small yet amore statement toproblems. introduce to your other clothes.

cleanser, a good face w•asConcentrated h and an exfoliorange ator. juice – Most concentrated juices can cause problems around the waistline, which include, cranberry, apple and other fruit juices. ious elements outif of the fruit during the concentration You should also invest Buying vintage doesn’t mean designer labels but you’re into designer labels look process. for Dior, from the 50’s or Gucci and water. So contrary to what adverts say it is believed starting your day with a big glass of concentrated juice is a in an eye cream just to really bad decision. brighten that area that . will be gentle to skin.

With widespread use of

Shah Rukh Khan given honorary doctorate by University of Edinburgh

Sweden on track to becoming first cashless nation

than 80 billion Swedish • Margarine, is another fat storing but has more serious health It canon cause you tostreet gain weight, out yourpiece good is cholesterol increase your bad cholesterol by A greatfood, modern fashion piece that werisks. still see our high and is wipe a timeless leopard print. information technology building up blockages in your arteries. Butter is a better alternative. Butter has fat in it too, but it’s a saturated fat that your body can burn for fuel instead of building up blockagesKrona (SEK) in Images as early as those from ancient Egypt show women rocking leopard spots. and rapid decline in cash circulation (about EUR 8 in your arteries, like trans fats can do.

PRODUCT transactions, Sweden is billion), a sharp decline OF THE on its way to becoming from just six years ago, • At number three it’sShah wholeRukh wheat bread. AreShah you as shocked we were?

Bread is High in Carbs and Can Spike Bloodwork Sugar Levels Bollywood superstar recognise the philanthropic and Rukh gaveas a public lecture, WEEK the world's first cashless when the total in Even whole grain bread usually isn’t made outleaders of actualand “whole” grains.

Khan has received an honorary career of one of the most outstanding personalities.

To have society, says a new study. circulation was SEK106 doctorate from the University of stars ofgirls world cinema.

It Monroe is a greatcelebrated glamour the opportunity address of Leopard prints always representtopower andone femininity, pin up like Marilyn and sexualThe starches in bread get broken in most the digestive tracteducational and enter the bloodstream as glucose.

ThisShah causes a rapid spike in blood sugar and insulin levels. billion.

Edinburgh for his contribution todown film quickly privilege to present Rukh Khan the esteemed ity in this way too.

"Cash is still an important "And out of that amount, Even wheat bread spikes blood sugar faster than many chocolate and his whole philanthropic work. institutions in the world bars. is a special with one of our highest honours, a In his Little Dictionary Fashion Christian Dior spike said “But tosugar wearand you must have kindtoofthefemininity which is a little means of payment in Most breads are made of pulverized wheat.

They areofeasily digested and rapidly blood insulin levels, which canalead notorious blood sugar “roller only somewhere between doctorate ofleopard the University.” moment. many countries' markets, 40 and 60 percent is coaster” and stimulate overeating.

Well, you’re probably all thinking those are the main foods you eat for Suhoor (The Pre-Dawn Meal). bit sophisticated. If you are fair and sweet, don’t wear it...” that no longer Shah Rukh of a bit of glam into applies actually in regular Beasure to choose yourself something leopard print from the rails next time you’re on the high street, addbut I look forward to the University Here arereceived some the tipsdegree for healthy Suhoor here in Sweden," said circulation," he said.

Doctor Honoris Causa fromyour the wardrobe with continuing on print its path as aagreat a leopard dress, shirt, a cardigan and even some trousers (if you’re daring enough).

Have fun researcher Niklas The rest is socked away University Chancellor HRH The civic university, demonstrated by Suhoor (The Pre-Dawn Meal) with it and remember always try it on before you buy.

Arvidsson, industrial in people's homes and imporPrincess Royal Edinburgh. its partnership with India, For suhoor, it isinimperative to drink plenty of water, eat a good blend of protein, carbohydrates, and essential fat. That’s right, “good fats” have many fat-burning and muscle-building properties, and their technology and bank deposit boxes, or academic and tance is even greater during Ramadan. Someaddressing good suhoorhealth, foods include: management researcher can be found circulating Simple Kind to Eyes research excellence and social at KTHextra Royal Institute shake • Raisins or dates • Olive oil – preferably virgin (which of means processed and the Soothing Cream, init’s thecold underground Shah Rukh’s charitable • Egg whites (1 yolk) work has • Proteinjustice."

Technology in Stockholm.

• Cinnamon • Fibrous vegetables –This will help inessential fatty acids are preserved) £3.99 from Boots. economy, the study said. included bringing • Chicken breast solar power to • Plenty of water The result of rural villages in India, creating a • Bananas • Oatmeal Professor Charlie Jeffery, crease the feeling of fullness as well.

"Our use of cash is small, collaboration between • Raw, dark Honey of Edinburgh Senior • All natural peanut butter Use all these products children's ward at a Mumbai hospital • Cream of wheat University and it is decreasing dailysupporting or as advisedrelief funds to assist major Swedish and and Vice-Principal, said: "The • Flax seed oil – rapidly," Arvidsson noted. Danish banks, Swish is a and you’ll be amazed areas devastated by tsunamis.

University of Edinburgh has very In a country where bank directrequirements It is important of key to how great your skin payment app that strong ties with India and I amto take a solid multi-vitamin, multi-mineral supplement with suhoor as well to make sure daily minimum cards are routinely used nutrients are met.

Avoid high sodium foods like soups, sauces, condiments, gravies, high sodium bread products, and canned meats.

Of course is used for transactions looks receiving and feels. Also, After his honorary degree, delighted that we are able to eating fried foods and heavy oil items can cause heartburn and problems for youfor all day sothe it issmallest best to avoid those if possible! even between individuals, in remember to drink lots purchases, there are less real time. of water!

WEIGHT LOSS REVIEW- WAZN

Bradford man sets on a mission to help Bradford become more health aware.

“I am a big fan of Dr Qazi’s work and that’s why I want to introduce his non-surgical solutions manto sets on a mission to helplocal BradBradford”, explained ford businessman become more health aware.

Yasser Khan, and “I am a big fan of Dr Qazi’s work and that’sBeauty why I want to introduce his Doctor range of treatments, which includes ‘WAZN’ non-surgical solutions to Bradford”, Dr Daud is a medical pracexplained localQazi businessman Yasser titioner with licence to practise in UK, Europe, Middle and famous Beauty Doctor rangeEast of treatAsia including Pakistan.

His ments, which includes ‘Wazn’ Dr Daud in medical research Qaziinterest is a medical practitioner with has enabled him to bring latest licence to practise in UK, Europe,state Midof art technologies. dle East and Asia including Pakistan.

Working and living in UK, he His interest in medical research has observed the need for Non-Surenabled him to bring latest state of gical procedures to improve the art technologies.

Working livhealth and well beingand of patients ing inespecially UK, he observed the need Asian populationfor as Non-Surgical procedures to improve they are more vulnerable to the health beingillnesses of patients acute and and well chronic than especially Asian population they are their counterpart Whiteaspopulamoretion. vulnerable to acute and chronic illnesses thanistheir counterpart White Dr Qazi amongst the pioneers who introduced latest technolopopulation. giesisofamongst IPL andthe Radio FrequenDr Qazi pioneers who cy andlatest Ultrasound integrations introduced technologies of IPL into UK and especially in Asian and Radio Frequency and Ultrasound community.

His quest for knowlintegrations into UK and especially edge and research furthered in Asian community. His quest for him to and launch his own health knowledge research furthered & Beauty product range. This him to launch his own health & Beauty includes Dietary supplements, product range. This includes Dietary Vitamins & Minerals, Skin & Hair supplements, Vitamins & Minerals, care products and products for

certain ailments and diseases of body. His unique formulations GMP approved laboratories in USA and has made him pioneer Skin & Hair care products and products products around the globe. for certain ailments and diseases "WAZN" weight loss manage- of body. programme His unique formulations has been ment is the start of products list. laboratories in many USA and has made him “There are so health products and diet plans on the market where you have productstoday, around the globe.

"WAZN" to make major lifestyle changes, Each capsule helps: Weight loss management programme Each capsule helps: such as drinking shakes etc” *Burn fat is the start of products list. *burn fat, *Boost metabolism, said Yasser “There are so many health products *boost metabolism, * Increases your energy “People simply haven’t got the energy and diet plans on the market today, * increases your level time these days, so in my opinwhere you have to make major lifestylelevel * Improves digestion ion WAZN is the answer. changes, such as drinking shakes etc”* Improves digestion * Prevents weight gain.

“People like my mum won’t go to weight gain. said Yasser. “People simply haven’t got* Prevents However, WAZN is not the gym, so that’s why Dr Qazi WAZN is not prethe time these days, so in my opinion However, prescribed as an off the produced WAZN, it was created scribed as an off the counter Wazn is the answer.

“People like my counter weight loss prodto help tackle obesity, without weight loss product, but mum won’t go to the gym, so that’s uct, but more as a weight making major lifestyle changes more as a weight managemanagement programme, why Dr Qazi produced WAZN, it was WAZN is a 100% natural veggie ment programme, which which works for almost created towhich help tackle obesity, without capsule, contains Raspworks for almost everyone, everyone, young, old, making major lifestyle berry Ketone, African changes Mango, WAZN young, old, male orThe female. male or female. prodis a 100% natural veggie Green Coffee Extract (allcapsule, of Theuct product is used to bewhen used is to be which contains Raspberry Ketone, which are known to release when your index is your BMIBMI index is greater enzymes that break fat).

African Mango, Greendown Coffee Extract greater than 25 as it helps than 25 as it helps you It(all also contains of which are Hoodia known toAcai release youmaintain maintainananideal idealvalue value of (known have properties to kill enzymestothat break down fat). of 25 25or orless. less. off cancer), Green Tea Acai extract,( It also contains Hoodia (known teamhere here at at which has twenty plus amino to have properties to kill off cancer), WellWell ourour team Asian Sunday will be acids), Apple cider vinegar and Asian Sunday will be Green Tea extract,( which has twenty putting the capsule to the Panax Ginseng. capsules plus amino acids),The Apple cider vinegar putting the capsule to the test....keep posted as we claim to be Alcohol, Hormones test....keep posted as we and Panax Ginseng. The capsules will post results in the and Gelatine free, with no side will post results in the claim to be Alcohol, Hormones and coming editions. effects. coming editions.

Gelatine free, with no side effects.

04

Issue 8

ASIAN SUNDAY

FEATURE

GREAT BRITISH BAKE OFF OR GREAT BRITISH FAKE OFF?

by ADEEBA SANNA ZAHOOR This year’s Great British Bake Off final whipped up a show-stopping 14.5 million viewers, more than any other show on television this year, and a record breaking figure for the show to date.

It is no surprise then that there has been an abundance of opinion and response surrounding the winner Nadiya Hussain, a British Muslim born to Bangladeshi parents in Luton, now living in Leeds. She happens to be great at baking. Her showstopping finale cake was a union jack themed lemon drizzle wedding cake, draped in a sari.

Fans and supporters (and there are lots of them) call themselves Nadiyators and they were thrilled at her win.

Tweets came from a varied demographic and below are just a few:

choice according to some more for diversity’s sake, than diversity’s cake.

Amanda Platell at the Daily Mail, accused the Bake Off team for being overly politically correct. She said that Flora Shedden, a middle class white contestant would have made it to the final had she made a chocolate mosque instead of a chocolate carousel.

This seems to only be a half-baked argument however seeing as none of the contestants who got through to the final created any religiously or culturally connoted bakes.

Quentin Letts (also at the Daily Mail) claimed that contestants had been chosen as “fashionable minorities”.

“So happy that Nadiya Hussain won”

However, the last census indicated that British whites in London were in the minority for the first time and in fact less than 90 per cent of the country was white for the first time ever (ONS, 2011). So, were the contestant’s fashionable minorities or rather, as Nadiya says, “a fantastic representation of British society today”?

However this year’s win has found that cakes can cause controversy, with some people claiming the win was not based sincerely on merit.

It was a politically fuelled

Anna Beattie who is executive producer of the show, challenges critics saying that selecting contestants was a “natural process”. Baking ability in

“I love you forever Nadiya” “such a worthy and inspiring winner” “I am a #Nadiyator for life” “#Nadiyator forever”

front of the camera was the priority in that endeavour, but of course finding a “representative mix” was also important.

Contestant selection was a contrived construct in this respect, but surely that is the nature of a reality TV show, it needs to be put together, and achieving a representative line up is a feat, not a failure.

In addition to Nadiya’s Bangladesh background, other nationalities were represented by contestants from Lithuanian, Filipino and African American backgrounds.

As well as making consistent progress and being named star baker three times, Nadiya was the only finalist who made no errors during the finale. Ian Cumming forgot to put sugar in his first bake and Tamal Ray’s crème patisserie didn’t make it into his signature bake.

Maybe cynicism should be

put to one side and people should accept that the best baker won on merit for her bakes and not as a politically correct, token gesture. Great British Bake Off is ultimately a fun baking competition and any positive message regarding Britain’s multicultural society and tolerance, is just icing on the cake.

Michelin Restaurant Guide 2015 Recommended Best Indian Restaurant 2015 by Oliver Awards

Welcome to an unusual cuisine where excellence maintains tradition Tharavadu, 7-8, Mill Hill Leeds , LS 15DQ, United Kingdom Tel: 0113 244 0500 W. tharavadurestaurants.com • E: info@tharavadurestaurants.com

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Issue 8

ASIAN SUNDAY

COVER STORY

Missing ?? Or at war?

by Anne Czernik West Yorkshire Police, investigating a missing person report, say a Bradford family may be heading for Syria.

Thirty-nine year old Imran Ameen, his wife Farzana age forty, together with their five children flew direct from Manchester to Antalya, Turkey on Tuesday October six. Imran’s brother, Rehan Noor Ul Ameen 30 years is believed to have travelled to Dalaman, Turkey on June 29 also from Manchester Airport.

West Yorkshire Police have confirmed that the Ameen family’s whereabouts, and reason for travel are unknown.

Enquires are underway to try and determine their movements 1080 pupils disappeared with their families from Bradford schools during 2014/15 according to Bradford Safeguarding Children’s Board latest figures.

No specific agency is tasked with an overall analysis of the cohort of children that go missing in Bradford. Paul Hill said “Up until now, our data is collected in terms of children, rather than families” West Yorkshire police said that “Families can and do often move from areas of the UK for any number of reasons. We are only aware of two families in Bradford missing in these circumstances.”

Agencies don’t know for certain how many families go missing in Bradford - or why. The Office of the Director of Children’s Services declined to offer comment.

Ralph Berry Portfolio Holder for Health and Social Care, with responsibility for safeguarding told Asian Sunday exclusively “That’s an impossible question to answer.

People have jumped to all sorts

of conclusions. People move backward and forward all the time. They can go via Dubai, Pakistan, Moscow, Turkey whatever. People do these trips every day of the week and most of them are normal. Someone wakes up in the morning and decides that they owe a load of money and does a runner from their debts and their situation. That’s what happens in a society where people have debt. There are elements of that. People get divorced or get separated. There are 101 good reasons why people move.”

But the difference with the Ameen family is the belief that they may have gone to a war zone.

Berry said “There is a whole load of conflation, speculation, jumping to conclusions. What seems to be emerging – there are different security agencies cutting across each other – that there is a distinct theme that people who have become groomed into extreme ways of thinking are looking for an answer to their problems.”

ACC Russ Foster from West Yorkshire Police said “Our primary concern is the safety and welfare of the young children and the safe return of the young family. We would urge anyone with information about the family’s whereabouts to come forward and speak to police. Any piece of information, no matter how small, could help the UK or overseas authorities to locate the family” Asian Sunday investigates.

Stop the blame game It’s just a few months since the Dawood sisters were reported to have crossed the border into Syria amidst a blaze of publicity, accusations and condemnation. Once again, the Muslim community is under the microscope.

Furious Asian Sunday reader Rizwan Saleem said “A

precedent seems to have been set amongst mainstream media that every time an

individual act of crime/terror/ suspicion is reported there seems to be an onus of the

wider Muslim population to apologise or defend their role in the act. “

Asian Sunday publisher, Fatima Patel was interrogated when she appeared on Radio Leeds to talk about the issue. BBC journalist Liz Green re-tweeted that

“The community need to sort these things out and not blame the authorities ” after grilling Patel about her view that the Muslim community are not accountable.

Saleem Kader of the world renowned Bombay Stores in Bradford told Asian Sunday that

“There appears to be this image of Bradford with its Muslim

population who somehow appear to the outside world to all be extremists and radicalised. In all the 51 years that I have lived in Bradford, I’m yet to meet another Muslim person who agrees with any of the extremist or radicalised views. Our religions does not allow violence or ill treatment towards another human being let alone murder and killing.

”

Issue 8

Kader says he understands that “For people who don’t meet or know Muslims it must be difficult for them to understand that the majority of us are disgusted by the blameless killing and brutal terrorism that is being carried out in the name of Islam. I don’t think that our communities in Bradford have anything to do with these supposed mercenaries that travel to Syria and warn torn regions. To point a finger of blame at the majority of innocent ordinary peaceful and God fearing Muslims is very unfair” Amandeep Hayre said “As a non-Muslim Asian person in Bradford, I think the only way to change perceptions is to show the rest of the UK that we are a diverse and tight knit community with decent values.

The Muslim community needs to know that it’s not alone.

We all have a responsibility in protecting our neighbours and it really needs to become the norm for people of all backgrounds to address the issues of segregation and isolation openly so that we can then move on from blaming one community for the ills of a few”

Patel said “Finger pointing isn’t going to help anyone. It’s about working together as a community to understand the problems, and to support one another. This is a global problem. We are losing people, innocent lives are being jeopardised. Our community is in mourning. We still don’t know where these children or

ASIAN SUNDAY

the hundreds of other missing children and their families are.”

What we do know is that subtle changes were noticed by close family members and neighbours in the period leading up to the family’s disappearance but the community is stunned by this family’s departure.

Fun loving Farzana had friends from every section of the community. She was not a strict Muslim and the family seemed happy and financially secure. A few weeks before Farzana and her family stepped onto that fateful flight from Manchester into the unknown, the family car was downsized.

The children were deregistered from mainstream school on 29 September 2015.

Berry said that “There are children in Birmingham, Bradford and other places who have been removed from school so it’s been seen as a proxy indicator. It is. It’s so loosely regulated. The last Labour government tried to tighten it up but the right kicked off and said it interfered with the family life. But it’s the back door to all sorts of things.”

He conceded “There are also people who want an alternative form of education but there is a very definite increase in people who are doing it for religious extremism reasons” Farzana told her friends that the family were immigrating to Dubai where Imran had been offered an exciting new job.

Oddly, no-one accompanied them to the airport and no parties were held to wish them on their way as is tradition.

travelled to Pakistan with her mother, who has health issues, to leave her in the care of relatives. The elderly and frail woman’s carer in Bradford said she was “really shocked. They said she went to Pakistan but we don’t know where she really is” Farzana is said to have told family members she is doing what is “best for the kids”, without revealing her location.

The Ameen family were not known to agencies but families who hold traditional fundamentalist views are living in fear. The Prevent agenda, the government’s counter terror strategy has reached into schools, institutions and every area of public and family life.

One man came forward to tell Asian Sunday what life is like in Britain when your family is considered ‘extremist’ We have had to protect his identity and are using a pseudonym.

Tariq is a devout Muslim who was born and raised in the UK. He says “I’m a strong believer in the faith and I believe that Islam is a political way of life” Tariq has no criminal record. He is currently one of many people deemed a “legal extremist” under the new Prevent criteria. Legal extremists have broken no laws but adhere to views that

Farzana Ameen recently

Missing family home syria

7

COVER STORY

the government deem to be a threat to the British way of life.

Tariq says that “We are living in a town where people are afraid to do anything because they want to protect their families and their children.

Everyone is afraid to talk.

Nobody wants to talk about what Islam truly is because if we do, we will be deemed ‘extremist’ even though there is nothing wrong with what we are actually saying.”

Tariq said “I’m afraid. Your name is tarnished and they can take your kid away. I would still put my strong stance on my children to be who they are.

They see the struggle and that will make them stronger. The government want to separate parents and children because they don’t want the parents to influence them. They are growing up in a time like never before. No-one has seen anything like this. There is a lot of struggle going on and the community is split in two.”

Tariq says there should be more confidence for the imams to be able to speak out on these issues.

Tariq lives in fear that he or his children will be taken away because he believes in traditional Islam.

He says it’s contrary to British

values and that “People came to the West because they didn’t want that fear. For example, in Libya, just to read a political magazine is 5 years imprisonment. In the 60’s, 70’s 80’s, Britain was quite free.

Muslims didn’t make Islam political. But the frustration of the foreign policy - which is the main key issue gets people frustrated. People therefore want change but no-one is allowed to talk about problems or using Islam as a proper solution. Religion has been segregated from politics. “ Tariq found himself classed as extremist wanted to pull his children out of assemblies and religious activity at school.

Tariq explained to the head saying “I don’t have a problem with learning about different faiths. There are different faiths in the class. But to tell my kid to participate in Christian activities, that is another.”

He thinks there will come a time when Muslim’s will have to leave this country and in the mosques, community centres, and barber shops many are silently nodding their heads. Tariq said “They came here to be peaceful, to live a normal life, because British colonialism messed up their country. Now they are being messed up here. So we might as well go. You don’t get any sunshine here anyway.”

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Issue 8

ASIAN SUNDAY

COMMENT

New Junior Doctor Contract Set to Harm Doctors and the NHS

by Dr Faraaz Bhatti

Harming doctors. Harming the NHS. A new junior doctor contract is looming. Pay cuts.

Unsafe working hours. Patient safety issues. Poor recruitment into specialities. Migration overseas. How could the government get it so so wrong?

What does this mean for the NHS and most importantly for the patients? Here is my simplified analysis and opinion as a doctor in Emergency Medicine from the Yorkshire region.

First thing’s first. Definitions.

This contract will target ‘juniors’. A junior doctor is an umbrella title encompassing those that have just qualified from medical school to those who are about to become a Consultant. So we are talking about a massive bulk of the medical workforce of the NHS with a wide range of varying experience. A wide range of skills. An undeniable asset to the health service.

The government’s proposals to inflict an awful contract on medics has sent a shockwave through the medical world.

One which may be felt for generations to come. Unless, it is stopped in its tracks. The only way to halt the hammer that is chiselling away at our great National Health Service is to stop measures such as these that push hardworking staff to the position that we now

find ourselves in. Doctors work day and night, providing a 24/7 service to the public. Hospitals are open seven days a week.

All year round. Emergency Departments may be busier than ever, but have open doors to help those that need their care. They are staffed by doctors that are already stretched. So what will the contract achieve? In my opinion, very little.

Under the proposed rules doctors will work more hours outside of current legal limits.

Evenings and Saturdays will be considered as ‘normal working time’. Doctors will not get paid any differently for working on a Saturday as opposed to a weekday. This will result in many receiving as much as an astonishing 30% pay cut. With specialities such as Emergency Medicine already battling a recruitment crisis - the strain is only set to increase. Put quite simply, doctors will veer away from these specialities where rotas can be heavy on evenings, nights and weekend shifts. If recruitment suffers, so will trainee numbers and hence quality. Ultimately, patient safety will be placed at risk. A domino effect that can so easily be avoided.

The implications are far wider than simple financial unsustainability for the individual medic. More importantly the patientcentered care that we all strive to achieve may be hampered by tired, demoralised and financially insecure doctors.

This latest move has left us feeling disenfranchised, unsupported and devalued by a government supposedly trying to improve the NHS. In order to improve a service one must first understand it – and many of my colleagues would agree that this is where Mr Jeremy Hunt has failed time and time again.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt in a letter to the new Chair of

British Medical Association, Dr Johann Malawana however feels the new contract is not a cost cutting exercise and in his letter he states want the new contract to improve patient safety by better supporting a seven day NHS. Hunt argues that he is commited to ensure that the quality of NHS care is the same across the week and believes in eradicating the ‘weekend effect’ of excess deaths in NHS hospitals. Hunt writes for junior doctors, this means some increase in plain time working (backed up with an increase in basic pay) and a replacement of the banding system, and a move to paying for hours worked, with additional pay for unsocial hours. He further offers assurance that nights and Sundays will continue to attract unsocial hours payments.

The Health Secretary goes on to guarantee junior doctors that this contract will not impose longer hours. No junior doctor working full time will be expected to work on average more than 48 hours a week.

I am however not convinced.

There is a worrying trend that many highly trained doctors are already seeking work abroad in places like Australia and New Zealand. This flood could turn into an exodus. The knock-on effect will leave the NHS with fewer trainees, more burden on those who are left and morale hitting rock-bottom – leaving them with little faith in a system that was originally designed to protect and safeguard patients.

A recent poll of 6,000 junior doctors revealed that only 24 per cent would stay in their job if the contract was imposed, with many looking to move abroad or change career.

So in a nutshell – this contract: a poorly thought out drastic measure with little overall benefit where doctors have been cornered into having to closely consider their own

positions. On the balance of argument my colleagues will undoubtedly do what is clearly the right thing for their patients and for the NHS – and oppose the proposed contractual change under the guidance and support of the British Medical Association.

Junior doctors require much needed public support to keep not only the NHS alive but the

very workforce that makes it what it is today. Should this contract be forced through, undoubtedly it will have a ripple effect for generations to come reshaping the NHS for the worse and threatening patient safety. It’s not too late! I’ll leave you with this thought. Perhaps the government should learn what every medical student knows. Primum non nocere.

First do no harm.

In order to fight to protect patient safety in Yorkshire doctors will be holding a protest demonstration in Victoria Gardens, Leeds city centre on 28 October at 7pm.

It is believed more than 1,000 doctors and medical students have committed to attend.

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ASIAN SUNDAY

COMMENT

Time to get our ‘ghar’ in order?

by Nazneen Mehta Another Muslim family from Bradford has gone to Syria to join ISIS. What are YOU going to do about it?

A female councillor with an Asian name and a hitherto

impressive record has been suspended amid (unproven) allegations of some financial irregularities.

WHY aren’t you doing something about it? The problem MUST be in YOUR community.

WHY are all Asian politicians so dodgy?

WHY don’t you have answers? Why? Why? Why?

A group of British men of Pakistani background have been convicted of appalling sexually motivated crimes.

Ludicrous as this cacophony of finger-pointing questions might sound, they are reflective of the demands

that are increasingly aimed at the Asian - no let’s call a spade a spade - the Asian Muslim community in the UK. Even the mammoth sugarcoated triumph of the Great British Bake Off’s Nadiya can’t redress that particular balance single handed. Not

just yet.

But if we step back from our own insecurities and pride - even briefly - it is worth asking ourselves the question ‘What ARE we going to do about it?’

There’s a massive gap between that accusatory ‘you’ and the self-reflective

Issue 8

‘we’.

The ‘sort it out’ pill prescribed by the politicians and right-wing pundits is particularly bitter to swallow when those accused of and investigated for alleged wrongdoing are people we would consider role models or community leaders, people who have attained positions of influence and have become spokespeople for us - be it by desire or default.

Corruption - monetary or moral - needs to be addressed and challenged wherever we find it.

ASIAN SUNDAY

But like it or not, we are increasingly under the microscope, so let’s deal with it with intelligence and sophistication. We are very

And like it or not, our actions DO impact on each other.

We are a proud community with iron-strong traditions, some of them beautiful, others not so much. We’re not different to any other large group in that sense.

Here’s a flavour of what one Asian Sunday reader incensed at fresh (unproven) allegations against a leading politician from the Asian community - recently wrote in a letter to the editor: “The Asian community worry about how (the actions of some within the community) will tarnish an entire community and perhaps religion. The English community already despise us for our antics, and it’s difficult to defend ourselves.

we might see genuine social and political engagement filtering down en masse.

Let’s also stop looking to our religious leaders for all the answers all the time.

They are not oracles. Not all of the world’s - and the community’s - issues can be solved from the scriptures or the pulpit.

What is necessary is an increase in safe, open arenas where honest discussions can be had without fear of offending the religious brigade or the PC brigade or attracting the attentions of overzealous Government surveillance and the ‘radicalisation-watchers’.

And not every MP fiddles their expenses.

Yes, there is good and bad in every social group and community.

There is much in this messy, fraught and nuanced global society of today that we have little immediate control over.

But we are not by any means powerless.

Yes I know all the arguments about ‘can’t judge a whole community by the actions of a few’, and I have always agreed with them by and large.

Here’s another thought: Let’s start -by stopping the use of ‘back home’ politics as a yardstick.

And we all know not every middle aged white man who worked at the BBC in the 1970s was was a Jimmy Savile or a Rolf Harris.

capable of both.

Surely re-claiming a problem - if one is found - is the only real way to find a solution to it?

COMMENT

After all, no-one asks every Catholic person they meet what they are going to do about the issue of paedophile priests.

And at a time when Britain’s Pakistani Muslim community is feeling particularly demonised and fearful of the inevitable tide of thinlyveiled Islamophobic reprisals - and especially considering the undeniably close-knit nature of many of our Asian communities - is it time for us to really look inwards?

Is it - to put it bluntly - time we put our own ‘ghar’ in order?

We give the ammunition to the rest of the world and then wonder why we’re so disliked as a community. It sets us all back our progress

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doesn’t halt, it puts us back. Why does money blind us? Surely there are more important things in life?”

Emotive stuff, some of it perhaps misplaced, but certainly food for thought.

The creeping rise of Islamophobia in mainstream UK life can’t be denied.

And whilst we mustn’t fall into the traps being laid for us by people with vested interests in doing down our faith and our culture, a little bit of honesty and selfreflection would go a long way.

I have lost count of the number of times I have had heated debates with members of my own family and friends about their insistence on keeping tabs on the news in Pakistan or India - but they don’t know what is going on in their own back yards.

If just a fraction of those people switched off Zee TV or Geo for a second and looked out of the window,

And it has to start, surely, with re-evaluating the kind of people we want to hold up to the rest of the world as beacons representing the best of us.

Sometimes difficult conversations need to be had and we shouldn’t be afraid to have them. It’s the only way we can move on as a community, a society and a country.

We are all British and proud and we are all a host of other things.

Let us be the best of all our parts - but let us also cast off the shackles of the labels that often imprison us.

We might not have the answers yet, but damn it we can and will start asking the questions.

Our leaders - those really holding the purse strings - have to play their part.

And they have to stop with the scaremongering, voteswaying rhetoric that has become a creeping cancer in our society.

There are some people with Muslim names out there doing bad things.

There are many many more people NOT with Muslim and Asian names doing equally bad and often worse things.

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ASIAN SUNDAY

Issue 8

COMMENT “I am scared to be living in Jerusalem the most beautiful city” What it's like to be living on occupied land!

by Rula Halaiqah

Just over a year ago Israel launched a 51 day military assault against Palestine called Operation Protective Edge, where over 2000 Palestinians were killed, along with 66 Israeli soldiers and seven civilians in Israel.

The UN says the vast majority of Palestinian deaths were civilian and figures from previous operations over the past six years in the densely populated Gaza Strip show it is not the first time civilians have paid a heavy price.

Today, violence continues in Gaza and the IsraeliPalestinian conflict is claiming more lives.

Exclusively for Asian Sunday, Palestinian journalist Rula Halaiqah shares her personal account of what it is like living in a conflict zone as a Palestinian.

I am scared … I am not ashamed of saying that I walk the streets of my city scared.

I am scared my phone might ring, I answer, somebody hears me speak, and panic if I pull it out my pocket or my bag.

I'm scared this "somebody" might scream and shout "shot her" and I get hit by a bullet out of nowhere, I'm scared to drive

my car (I'm a bad driver)… I'm scared a police officer might not like the way I look at him, the way I walk, or the way I do my hair...

people I don't know, because deep down I know they might be the next victims of oppression, obsession, and hysteria.

It's unusual to feel that your life is worth pennies... It's unusual to feel that you're terrified and your life is at stake in the streets of the city you love dearly… in the very streets you have memories in...

Now we wander the streets without actually wandering...

Now we're scared … On our lives on our neighbours' lives and on the lives of our loved ones.

Now I'm scared for the lives of everybody I ever knew … Now I love my friends like I've never loved them before... Now I speak with everybody I once stopped speaking to …Now I'm more tolerant.

Now I smile at almost anyone I see down the street, I smile at

To be living in Jerusalem, in the

I am scared, I am typing in the letters and I'm trying not to cry, but I am crying... I am crying because I am scared and oppressed, I am crying because I'm in pain...

most beautiful city on the planet, but not being able to live like a normal human being…

I am addicted to watching the news … The sound of the ambulance's sirens scares me …The police sirens, even my cell-phone's ring tone scares me.

I zoom every picture I see shared on Facebook for a victim that was shot dead and in cold blood… I memorise their faces, their features; I capture every detail... Their clothes...

Everything…

We are dying, and yet, all this fear that everybody is living in

is somehow being transformed to hatred, insistence, and more holding on to the cause of our people.

I have had enough. I am very strong …and I know exactly what's going on around me...I know when somebody dies for a good reason and I know when somebody dies for nothing.

I am strong ... but I will never let my occupier take away my humanity... I am strong … but I will never let them take away my very simple feelings of fear, sadness, or happiness I still have hope, for my name is my identity.

MY COMMUNITY

Your Local News from

Bradford and District

IN THIS ISSUE Super success Saif Ul Malook show

Popular journalist Jon Snow in Bradford And much more.....

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Issue 8

ASIAN SUNDAY

MY COMMUNITY

Hundreds gather to mourn the loss of Geoffrey Brindley, fondly known as Bradford’s Jesus Man

by Ninder Kaur Hundreds of people lined the streets of Bradford this week to pay their respects for the funeral of 88-year-old Geoffrey Brindley, who was better known as ‘Bradford Jesus Man.’ Mr Brindley was well-known

for wearing a brown robe and sandals (similar to Jesus himself) and walking the streets of Bradford, and beyond, and smiling and waving at people he encountered along the way.

Geoffrey died on August 24 at Bradford Royal Infirmary, 11 days after being taken ill at his home in Baildon.

His funeral took place at Bradford Cathedral where Geoffrey was taken in to the service in a wool coffin.

Among the mourners at the funeral was Mr Brindley’s cousin, Colin Watson. He

spoke about Mr Brindley’s grandparents. He was joined

by Michael Kerrigan, a former Bradford resident, who read out a poem.

Reverend Sandra Benham, who led the service and was Mr Brindley’s parish priest in Baildon, said: “It was felt that it was right that the funeral was held at the Cathedral as a mark of respect because he was so much a part of Bradford life.”

She added: “He believed his calling was to walk the streets of Bradford and show care and compassion for the people, and have time for the people.”

Mr Brindley was well known to residents in Bradford and beyond.

Kathy Richards, 42, of Allerton said: “Ever since I was young, I would see him walking around and waving at people. He would have his same robe and sandals on and that’s how he became known as Bradford Jesus man.”

Samir Aktar, 52, of Heaton added: He was such a great guy. I didn’t know him personally but he was always happy and always smiling.

Such a tragic loss to the City of Bradford.”

Mr Brindley’s funeral procession travelled along some of his best-known walking routes. His funeral procession headed to Bradford from Shipley along Manningham Lane, passing Valley Parade and onto Hamm Strasse. It then went onto Barkerend Road to Thornbury roundabout, then along Leeds Road and Church Bank.

Donations made at the funeral were given to the Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Joanne Dodd’s charity appeal.

All Are One For Nation

by Ayyaz Malik Sheffield’s local community gathered at Sheffield’s Hilton hotel to celebrate the success of The One Nation Community centre.

The centre which opened in 2011, runs six days a week so the community can benefit from the many facilities that the centre has such as boxing and the chance to gain overall life skills.

The One Nation Community Centre is based in Sheffield, Netheredge and was opened in response to the areas high crime rate.

One Nation Community Centre caters to all people and prides itself on being multi-cultural and diverse.

One Nation have said that they wish to expand the facilities in the centre to help cater for more people in the community to be involved in the centre.

The centre’s fantastic efforts to bring people together through sport hasn’t gone unnoticed, One nation won the best community project at the British Ethnicity Diversity Sports Awards, to add to that Sport England have decided to provide the One Nation Community Centre with a cheque in the region of £150,000.

With that kind offering

by Sport England, CoFounders Israr and Wajid were delighted with their contribution.

Wajid said: “We are very with the progress up to now, thank you to everyone who helped us such as Sport England, South Yorkshire Sport and England boxing, if it wasn’t for them we wouldn’t be here today. I would also like to say thank you to my dad who I would see work till 2/3 in the morning”.

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MY COMMUNITY

Cultural Show with world renowned artist Sain Zahoor increases appetite for arts Bradford once again showed that there is a definite appetite for arts and cultural programmes in the city, as hundreds packed out St George’s Hall to enjoy a mela of cultural musical performances from Qawaalis to Sufi music.

attractions of the event was world renowned Sufi artist Sain Zahoor. As well as singing popular compositions by well-known Sufi poets, Sain has also appeared in films such as West is West and is due to appear in an upcoming Bollywood film.

It’s the second one organised

by PM Promoters which has proved to be hugely successful. This year’s Saif Ul Malook show included Punjabi folk and sufi singer Sanam Marve.

With his small five-piece ensemble, this charismatic figure is a true holy man who makes an unforgettable impression. Accompanied by a percussion and harmonium fans just can’t get enough of his distinctive, raw and powerful voice.

Sanam Marve made her debut with a solo performance at 2010’s Jahan-e-Khusrau, the Sufi music festival. In February 2011, she performed with Indian playback singer Rekha Bhardwaj at Times of India’s Aman ki Asha at Chowmahalla Palace, Hyderabad and made her Bollywood singing debut with Bollywood star and Pakistani singer Ali Zafar in ‘London Paris New York’ Sanam Marve told Asian Sunday ‘performing abroad is a great opportunity for artists like her to share her culture through music.

“Music speaks all languages and when you come to places like Bradford which has such a diverse audience, it makes me want to perform my best, so that I can reach out to as many as possible” She said Performing alongside Sanam Marve and one of the main

In an exclusive with Asian Sunday, Sain shared his love and passion of Sufi music.

He wants the world to learn more about his ‘Kalam’ (the world of philosophical theory). He feels that he has specifically been given the task to share Sufi music to the western community world over.

Zahoor is an artistic man, who can’t read or write, but understands and connects with people through feeling and often scribbled images.

He tells us “I don’t need someone to write down the lyrics of a song, I feel them and then I will draw an image based on them. Then I will perform them” It is this quality that perhaps comes through in his performances.

It’s no wonder, so many are embracing the Sufi craze.

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MY COMMUNITY

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MY COMMUNITY

Innovative diabetes campaign spreads across Bradford

by NiNder Kaur The innovative Bradford Beating Diabetes (BBD) campaign is expanding across the district to help thousands more people at risk of developing diabetes.

From this month, people living in the Bradford Districts CCG area are being offered the chance to improve their health by getting a diabetes check-up and, if needed, advice and support to improve their lifestyle and cut their diabetes risk.

The BBD campaign was launched in Bradford almost two years ago to tackle the growing problem of diabetes among local people, and so far 1,000 new patients have been identified.

It is aimed at identifying anyone in Bradford who may be at risk of becoming diabetic in the future and making sure they receive the most appropriate advice, care and support to prevent or delay the onset of the condition.

It also supports those who are currently being treated for diabetes, ensuring they receive the correct healthcare so they can manage their symptoms and prevent any related, serious conditions from developing.

Dr Chris Harris, GP lead for diabetes at Bradford Districts CCG, said: “We’re really excited about bringing the benefits of Bradford Beating Diabetes to so many

new people, and helping them to find out quickly and easily whether they actually have diabetes or are at a stage where they can make some lifestyle changes to prevent it.”

Since 2013, more than 12,000 people in the City area who are at risk of developing diabetes have taken part in the programme, 6,000 of whom have received lifestyle advice from their GP or healthcare team. A further 200 are taking part in the programme’s 12 month intensive lifestyle change programme to help prevent them developing the disease in the future. And more people than ever are now receiving all of the recommended health checks as part of their diabetes treatment and follow-ups.

The success of the campaign has led to it being rolled out to the wider Bradford area so even more people can improve their health.

Bradford Districts CCG’s priority will now be to work with around 9,000 people who have been identified as being at high risk of developing diabetes.

The campaign is starting with letters going to all those people who are already at moderate or high risk, so they come to their GP practice for another blood test to check their glucose levels – a key indicator of diabetes. Then, depending on the results, they will be

offered a tailor-made package of treatment and advice.

“Diabetes is on the rise locally as well as nationally so it is a real health challenge for us,” added Dr Harris. “We want to prevent as many Bradford patients as possible developing diabetes and to provide excellent care and advice to those who do have diabetes, so they stay well and in control of their condition.

“People often think that diabetes is just something that’s going to happen to them because of a family history of the condition or

the fact that they know so many people who have it.

This campaign has already shown that diabetes isn’t inevitable if more people knew how simple changes to their diet and lifestyle can reduce their risk.”

Many patients will be able to go away with expert advice to reduce their chance of getting diabetes, while others at higher risk will be offered an intensive lifestyle change programme (ILCP) to support them to lose weight, get more active and eat a healthy diet. The most important thing is that

people get tested so that they know their risk and can take action.The BBD campaign has been recognised for its innovation, having been named as one of seven demonstrator sites for the National NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme.

The programme - a joint initiative between NHS England, Public Health England and Diabetes UK aims to significantly reduce the four million people in England otherwise expected to have Type 2 diabetes by 2025.

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MY COMMUNITY

The City of Bradford leaves a good impression on Jon Snow, Baftawinning anchor of Channel 4 News

by Ninder Kaur Jon Snow, journalist and broadcaster, visited Bradford on Friday 9th October 2015 and addressed a packed audience at the National Media Museum. Jon had been invited by the Muslim Women’s Council through its Bradford Circle programme, an initiative aimed at raising the level of dialogue, discourse and debate by attracting high profile speakers to Bradford.

The event took place at the National Media Museum and opened with clips of Jon’s reporting of the news throughout his career. Jon discussed the different parts of the world he has reported from and covered topics from global events to domestic issues.

Jon shared to the audience how he had interviewed Margaret Thatcher twenty times and considered them to be his worst interviews to date. He also added that the one person he would yet like to interview is Barack Obama.

Bana Gora, CEO of Muslim Women’s Council and Professor Lord Kamlesh Patel of Bradford OBE also joined Jon Snow on stage. Jon was questioned on everything from his Cannabis Experiment to his charity work with

homeless young people.

The audience then had the opportunity to ask a range of questions to the TV presenter covering representation of Muslims in the media to careers advice for budding journalists.

Dinner was provided at the event by My Lahore and the National Media Museum supported the event by providing the prestigious Pictureville theatre. The Muslim Women’s Council decided to host the event at the National Media Museum in order to support one of Bradford’s most iconic buildings.

Jon Snow said: “I shall never forget

my amazing evening with the Muslim Women’s Council at the National Media Museum.

I have come here as a journalist and I want to know what people think. The audience was one of the most stimulating, engaged, energised, inspiring groups I have ever addressed. It was wonderful that there were so many students and young people present. Who knew that Bradford was the centre of such intellect, such compassion, such commitment.

I pay tribute to Bana Gora and her team for organising an event that drew not only Muslim women, but also a good few men and people from other communities. My only regret is that I live and work so far from Bradford.

But be warned, I shall be back!”

With the Israeli and Palestinian conflict-taking place, Jon added that if he was in charge he would: “honour the UN resolutions, sit them down and lock the door and keep a minimum amount of food and drink going in to all sides and say you are in here until you sort a deal. If a deal was worked out sensibly you would be able to sell it to the populations in both camps.”

Professor Lord Patel of Bradford OBE said: “I was honoured to be part of an informative, entertaining and engaging evening at Bradford’s landmark National Media Museum.

It is a credit to the MWC that they not only attracted such a

high calibre individual, in the form of Jon Snow to Bradford for the evening; but they also attracted a diverse and eclectic audience, who were, from the start, engaged, lively and energetic.”

Bana Gora, CEO of Muslim Women’s Council said: “It was an honour to host Jon Snow in Bradford, one of the few journalists left, who is unafraid to speak his mind and ask the difficult questions.

The event will be the first of many, aimed at raising the profile of Bradford by attracting high profile speakers. The events are part of the Muslim Women’s Council’s offer to Bradfordians to engage with influential personalities in order to ensure speakers leave with the best possible impression.”

It’s the way forward Yaar

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ASIAN SUNDAY Issue 8

GHAP SHAP with Melody hossaini

"The Apprentice's First Social Entrepreneur"

by Ninder Kaur We caught up with the former Apprentice star and Founder and Director of InspirEngage who has had a whirlwind of success. She has built a social enterprise in a 100 countries that has managed to reach 1 million people.

Career aside, Melody has had a pretty extraordinary life. She was born in war-torn Iran, was held at gunpoint at the age of 12 and then kidnapped by a deranged taxi driver who dumped her in a desert.

Tell us a bit about your journey as an asylum seeker?

I was 3 years old when my family and I fled Iran during the Gulf war.

We fled by land and ended up in Sweden. I grew up in Sweden before immigrating to the UK 18 years ago. I was a refugee and an asylum seeker.

How do you feel about the

Training women startup and stilettos

current crisis? What can be done?

We’re witnessing one of the largest population movements in modern history. Syrian refugees who are being forced to move (no one willingly leaves their home and undertakes risk of death of your children unless the risk of staying is higher than leaving), are being taken in neighbouring countries with Libya having accepted some 1 millionyet the UK has only committed to accepting 20,000 over 5 years. That is simply not good enough.

We need to respond with kindness and help. It’s not a gift – it’s their human right!

You are an inspirational woman in Business. Tell us a bit about your career journey.

I started volunteering when I was 13 years old and co-founded the UK Youth Parliament. As part of this,

we managed to change laws and policies to benefit young people, had meetings with Tony Blair before the Iraq war and developed youth engagement platforms for young people across the world. Two weeks before I was due to graduate in Law, I got a job in the youth sector in order to make my passion, my career! I never looked back.

I set up InspirEngage International in 2009, in a rented room in a shared house, with £0 and a Hotmail email account. I realised that there was a gap in the support for young people to develop the right mindset and attitude along the practical life skills to enable them to achieve – academic achievement alone, isn’t enough to prepare young people for the world of work. My very first contract was to deliver skills training in Japan, and my second was to manage the youth programme at the United Nations conference for young people across 100 countries. During this time, I

have been honoured to have worked with 12 nobel peace prize winners, worked with corporates such as Philips and Facebook and best of all, got the opportunity to train young people who have been able to go onto do great things.

What motivates you in business?

A few years ago I was delivering training for homeless young people on behalf of Barclays Bank. After the session, one young boy called Ashley comes up to me and asks how we can start volunteering in his community and give something back. Here’s a boy who has nothing and wants to give something. This inspires and motivates us at InspirEngage to keep helping.

How do you manage to balance your career with motherhood?

I’m still trying to figure it out! I love being a mum to Kian but I also want

Accepting an award by Prince Charles

ASIAN SUNDAY Issue 8

him to learn about my work with InspirEngage and the value of helping people. It’s all about balance! I am also lucky to have a good support system!

You have recently won the European Most Influential Woman of the Year award, how does that make you feel?

It was a shock, especially since the European Parliament select their own nominations from their own online research so I had no idea! On The Apprentice, Lord Sugar joked that I must collect awards (which I don’t!!) but this award means a lot to me as it recognises those originally not from Europe and how they have contributed. In winning this award, I will also be involved in supporting the immigration and refugee agenda.

Who inspires you?

Everyday people inspire me- mothers who find a way to do a hard day’s work and come home and still give their children lots of energy, young people who have nothing and want to give everything and people who perform random acts of kindness like helping someone off the bus. It’s the little things that shape our society.

The new Apprentice series has just started, tell us about your experience on the show.

The Apprentice is one of those things I watch and just can’t believe I was actually on it – quite surreal!

Something to show the grandkids!

75,000 people applied and I was grateful to be given a place. But at the same time, you have to have very

tough skin. It’s edited and you don’t get to watch it until it airs on TV- so conversations you have are cut to make it look a certain way, and they show your character a certain way, but as I say, it’s TV! It’s what you do afterwards and with the platform you gain, that says a lot more about you.

How do you feel about Nick leaving?

I really liked Nick and got along with him as he was so fair, so I am sad to see him go. But I recently got to judge an enterprise competition for Mosaic with Claude Littner (Nick’s replacement) and think he’s absolutely lovely and will be great to watch! He’s tough on the show but in real life he’s a softy!

How have you found the contestants over the last few shows?

It’s so easy to judge the candidates!

I have respect for anyone who puts themselves on the line like that and goes for it! I’ve made some really good friends. I’m looking forward to watching the new series and will be live tweeting with all the behind-thescenes secrets!

Biggest achievement?

I saw that there was a real gap in support for vulnerable adult womenso InspirEngage launched ‘Startup & Stilettos’- an intense 2 month, residential Bootcamp with childcare for women who had suffered from domestic violence, homelessness, ex-substance abuse or just needed a break. We trained them to develop confidence and the skills to turn their

tragedy into a business that made them economically independent and which also helped others: a social enterprise. Seeing the transformation in these women, and their children, has probably made it my biggest achievement.

How was it working with 12 Nobel Peace Prize winners including Desmond Tutu, Dalai Lama and Shirin Ebadi?

I learnt a few important lessons from each person. Desmond Tutu taught me the importance of humour when dealing with serious issues. Humour brings people together and breaks down barriers.

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helped?

The revolution is here! The ‘Social Enterprise Revolution’ is all about supporting students at school, colleges and Universities to develop their skills, make money and make a difference in their community!

We’re seeing students who are using what they’re learning as part of their studies, and through the programme, we train them to set up their own social enterprise, going into the community using their curriculum skills to help people, but also making an income which bridges the employability gap.

Being trained by Al Gore on climate change taught me the importance of feeling a sense of personal responsibility.

Shirin Ebadi, a female role model of mine, reminded us that the world is all connected and a decision made has a knock-on effect – we aren’t indifferent.

Social Enterprise Revolution is the UK’s first programme that embeds social enterprise into the curriculum Speaking in Iran (Home country) in a hands on way. How has it

What is the secret to being a successful entrepreneur?

The secret is to know that there’s no secret or quick fixes to success- it takes hard-work, kindness and resilience.

What advice would you give to young people?

So many young people tell me that they can’t get a job because they haven’t got enough experience and that they can’t get the experience because no one will give them a job. I do a lot of speaking tours, meeting a lot of young people around the issue of careers, skills and social enterprise. My advice to young people is start volunteering. Build your experience, skills and make a difference in your community.

To find out more visit – www.inspirengage.com @Melody_Hossaini @InspirEngage

Melody Hossaini

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ASIAN SUNDAY

business

IP Lawyer Shireen Smith launches new book to help shape British businesses

by Ninder Kaur Earlier this week Shireen Smith, leading Intellectual Property lawyer and founder of IP specialist law firm Azrights, launched her book ‘Intellectual Property Revolution’ at the Institute of Directors.

The new book focuses on how to successfully manage IP assets, protect brands and add value to your business in the digital economy. It is written in plain English and aimed at business owners and ‘brand guardians’.

“In spite of the UK being recognised as the most advanced adopter of online retail and the digital economy, with creative industries exports worth £17.3bn, there is a general lack of awareness about the importance of Intellectual Property protection,” said Shireen.

“To date, IP has been one of the lowest profile sectors of the legal industry but that will change as the future UK economy becomes more reliant on digital products and services.”

Shireen adds, “The new currency in our digital economy is information, know-how, brands, systems and data. Whether people are building a brand identity, launching a new product or service worldwide, or even a start-up business, they’re also creating intellectual property.

“The value and safety of intellectual property has become more important than ever before. Do it right and the intangible assets you create could be worth more than the products or services

themselves. Do it wrong and you could miss vital opportunities, have your true value stolen or find yourself on the wrong side of an intellectual property dispute.”

Shireen shared that one way of raising the profile of the subject is to inform and educate business owners, in particular marketing directors and company secretaries who are often on the receiving end of tension when things go wrong.

Shireen was joined by Jeremy Phillips, Professorial Fellow, Queen Mary Intellectual Property Research Institute and Intellectual Property Consultant, Olswang LLP and Daniel Priestley the cofounder and CEO of Entrevo, a company that runs a growth accelerator program for entrepreneurs, including Shireen Smith, to build their businesses.

Daniel said, “I genuinely believe that we are going through times that are revolutionary. We are reorganising the way in which the world works. Intellectual property is the new home ownership. Millennials have said that they’d prefer a start-up to a home. A lot of people who, had they been born in another time, would have been buying houses are now throwing their time and energy into creating start-ups and intellectual property.

“So it stands to reason that they want to know how to identify, value and protect their IP.” Jeremy Philips added, “I applaud Shireen Smith for her passion in educating business owners about the value of IP. The Government’s IP Office is doing well in

spreading the message on the subject but many people in business simply don’t know where to start in terms of looking for information.

Shireen Smith’s new book is designed to educate the reader thoroughly, so that they can make timely decisions that will ultimately add to the value of their business.

He concluded: “Today there is one massive up-side and that is that thanks to the Internet and search engines, it is much easier to detect online breaches of IP. It is also far quicker for business owners to research what is already public.

That’s just one of the many reasons why ‘Intellectual Property Revolution’ will be very well received by both business owners and ‘brand guardians’.”

Shireen has written many articles and is also author of the bestselling book, ’Legally Branded’, which was published in 2012.

‘Intellectual Property Revolution’, published by Rethink Press is priced at £12.99.

This book is great for budding entrepreneurs who have small or large businesses.

Issue 8

ASIAN SUNDAY

17

FEATURE

Yet another immigration bill!

by Nadeem Saeed While raiding the political centre ground with the ideas of living wage and National Infrastructure Commission, the Conservatives are yet pumping up rhetoric on the question of immigration to play to the UKIP gallery of voters.

Immigration has always been a hotly debated political issue. But it has become toxic since the 2008 financial crisis, which resulted in spending cuts on essential services like health, education and social

UK Border Control

services.

Recession was the outcome of reckless subprime banking but politicians and the right wing media found bogeyman of immigration to hold it responsible for all the socio-economic problems emanating from the crisis, thus shifting the focus from the failings of powerful financial sector to the society’s most vulnerable.

Visuals of desperate migrants putting lives at risk to enter Britain from Calais and Europe through Hungry exacerbated the anti-immigration sentiments

with misjudged use of language like “swarms of people”, “marauders” or “[mass immigration making it] impossible to build a cohesive society”.

Against this backdrop, a bill meant to make Britain unwelcoming for illegal migrants has passed the first parliamentary obstacle. MPs debated the Immigration Bill in the House of Commons on Tuesday 13 October 2015 and the bill was given a second reading by 323 votes to 274.

The bill’s seems to aim at creating a hostile environment for illegal

working and blocking access to services for those who do not have leave to enter or remain in the UK. It introduces a new array of criminal offences and entrusts immigration officers and police with more powers to deal with illegal immigration.

It is the seventh immigration bill introduced in the UK during the last eight years.

Under the measures proposed in the bill illegal working will become a criminal offence in its own right punishable with a custodial sentence of up to

six months while the wages paid will be recoverable as the proceeds of crime; custodial sentence for employing illegal worker will be increased from two years to five years; failure to carry out right to rent checks or taking steps to remove illegal migrants from their property can make landlords or agents liable to be imprisoned for up to five years; police and immigration officers can search people and premises to seize UK driving licences of illegal migrants; banks and building societies will have to perform periodic immigration checks resulting

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ASIAN SUNDAY

FEATURE in closure and freezing of illegal migrants accounts; and a new immigration skills charge which will be applied to employers sponsoring non-EEA nationals who come

to the UK under Tier-2 of the Points-Based System.

Labour, SNP and Lib Dem MPs opposed the bill. A bid

by Labour to amend the legislation was rejected by a

margin of 40 votes. The bill will now go to committee stage, where it will undergo detailed scrutiny from MPs. Defending the legislation, home secretary Theresa May said the bill would be a greater source of fairness to British citizens and legitimate migrants. But her Labour counterpart, Andy Burnham, labelled the bill “unpleasant and insidious”.

Earlier, in an article for the Independent on Sunday, the shadow home secretary wrote “The aim of the Immigration Bill is to make Britain a ‘hostile

environment’ for illegal migrants. In practice, it could end up making Britain a more hostile place for anyone with a foreign-sounding name – worsening the very problem that Cameron said he wanted to challenge.”

In his speech to the Conservatives conference this month, Prime Minister Cameron had raised the problem of job applicants with “white-sounding names” who were nearly twice as likely to get call backs for jobs than people with “ethnic-sounding names”, even if they had the same qualifications.

The opposition’s concerns are echoed in a survey carried out by the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI) which found that 42 per cent of landlords said Right to Rent made them less likely to let a property to someone who does not have a British passport, while 27 per cent said they were even reluctant to engage with people who had foreign-sounding names or accents.

But the Home Secretary, while debating the bill in the Commons, defended the plans to require landlords to check the immigration status of their tenants. She insisted that the government did not expect them to become immigration experts and that they would be able to call a new helpline where they would be given a “very simple message” about what to do.

Simon Duce of APRM Outsourced Letting Support mocks the idea of Home Office Hotline by asking “Will it take 45 minutes to get through to a befuddling ‘press one for general enquiries’ system? Have they ever called HMRC?” In a blogpost on Letting Agent Today, he writes “I might just sell up, especially with property values at a peak”

to stay away from too much responsibility in the wake of carrying out immigration checks and repeated checks on tenants with limited leave to remain in the UK. Shahid Dastgir Khan, an immigration and human rights specialist at London’s law firm Khans Solicitors, commented that the bill if turned into law can raise racial tensions in the communities which otherwise take pride in their ethnic diversity.

“Members of BME communities will be susceptible to be turned away by employers and landlords only because they look and sound foreigner”, he said, adding “Ordinary citizens should never be placed in the position of a policeman or an immigration officer.”

The immigration skills charge on hiring skilled workers from outside the European Economic Area will increase financial woes of small and medium businesses especially the curry houses that by and large are dependent on chefs employed from the countries of Indian sub-continent.

The industry is already suffering due to immigration laws which make it difficult to bring chefs to the UK. It is feared that third of 12,000 curry houses in Britain may close soon with two closing down every week. Over 100,000 people are believed to be employed by the curry industry.

No one will object to dealing with illegal immigration and working but the impact of measures taken need to be evaluated carefully to avoid battering the social fabric binding the communities.

It is hoped that MPs will thoroughly debate the bill at the committeestage to address concerns being expressed by the stakeholders.

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JOBS

Reporters/Journalists wanted

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Asian Sunday is expanding nationally and therefore is looking for journalists or reporters.

We have a cracking news patch here and we want enthusiastic reporters who will get out and about bringing in exclusive stories and getting into the heart of our communities. You will have all your preliminary qualifications, including 100 wpm shorthand. The ideal candidates will have knowledge of Asian Communities living in the UK along with business and lifestyle.

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Asian Sunday is now approaching its fourth year and has now launched nationally. Therefore, we are looking for distributors in London, Leicester, Birmingham, Yorkshire, Newcastle, Lancashire and Manchester.

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Applications are welcome from individuals of any background, gender and disabled people who are able to make a real contribution to this organisation.

Members are expected to attend quarterly board meetings and to participate in additional meetings, conference calls and sit on ad hoc committees from time to time. Most meetings take place in the evening.

Interested candidates should submit a CV to founder@ inspirationalwomenawards.org.uk with a covering letter explaining why you believe you are suitable for the role.

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MATRIMONIALs

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Sports

Fifa - The Saga That Never Ends

by Ayyaz Malik

Things are just getting from bad to worse for Fifa.

Football’s world governing body had to deal with the fall out of the world cup voting scandal. That scandal lead to an FBI investigation which eventually lead to the president of Fifa Sepp Blatter stepping down, or so we thought.

Blatter is still in power and Fifa still seems to be the same as it was before. The 79 year old Blatter did hint that there would be an election in December and he would help the transition of the next Fifa

regime.

Now though however Fifa has got itself involved in another scandal. This time it involves Michel Platini, the second most powerful man in football. Platini who is the president of UEFA was paid £1.35m by Mr Blatter’s authority in 2011. Platini indicated in a congress with UEFA weeks after that payment, that he would support the Swiss’ candidacy.

Michel Platini who has hinted that he would like to run for president of football’s top job, has strongly denied any wrong doing. Platini who was a former French international

is seen as a France legend till this very day. If the former Juventus midfielder is to be found guilty not only will it be a big tarnish on his playing legacy - but it will effectively end any chances of an election as Fifa president.

many will wonder can football be ever run ethically? The case against Sepp Blatter

who is suspended from Fifa and Michel Platini continues.

Sadly the world of football is being highlighted for the wrong reasons. Football is seen as a beautiful game by millions, or so they say it is - but negative press because of Fifa could really harm the world of football in the long haul.

UEFA president Platini maintains his innocence, but if he is guilty then I am sure

Have Pepsi Quenched It’s Thirst With the IPL?

by Ayyaz Malik They have been at the heart of things ever since the IPL started, but the recent controversies involving the IPL event means that main sponsors Pepsi’s agreement with IPL organisers could be in serious doubt.

The IPL which started in 2008, has been the catalyst for other T20 tournaments across the globe. One of the main reasons for the IPL’s success is the financial backing it gets from sponsors such as Pepsi.

Pepsi who had agreed a five year deal are said to be unhappy with the suspensions of two top Indian teams Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings. The suspension of two

of the top teams in Indian T20 cricket in regards to corruption where both will be suspended for two years, is said to be the main reason why Pepsi want to end their agreement early.

The IPL does have sponsors lined up should Pepsi carry out their threat over ending their agreement. Sadly for

the IPL it isn’t the first time that it’s been involved in controversy. In 2013 several players were involved in a spot fixing scandal which shook Indian cricket.

Life bans were given to the perpetrators of the offences.

That incident did lead Pepsi to decide that they want to cancel the agreement - but

were talked out of it in 2013.

The fact that there has been another scandal for the IPL, could be seen as the last straw for Pepsi.

The fact that Pepsi who has been a key sponsor for the IPL for so many years wants to end their agreement early due to corruption, is surely not a good advert for

the IPL. The thought of IPL being corrupt isn’t good for the sport of cricket, never mind the IPL which has been somewhat of a flag bearer for T20 cricket.

Talks are believed to be ongoing, but it looks increasingly likely that Pepsi will end their agreement with the IPL.

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ASIAN SUNDAY 23

Sports

What Next For Amir?

by Ayyaz Malik

It has been a frustrating time of late for British boxer Amir Khan. Khan who is a two time world champion, who has endured nothing but frustration in his attempts to land a glamour fight with Floyd Mayweather.

In his recent press conferences, Khan has been somewhat obsessed with a fight against the legendary American. Mayweather who retired after his fight with Andre Berto was called a coward after he opted to not take up a fight with Amir Khan.

Accepting defeat and acknowledging that fight

isn’t going to happen, Khan had talked about fighting another boxing great in Manny Pacqiuao - but as soon as talks started for a fight to take place, it seems like they have ended just as quickly.

the Bolton fighter did impressively overcome Chris Algieri and Devon Alexander who is a former world champion.

Amir Khan in reaction to talks breaking down with Pacqiuao’s camp has stated that he could face Britain’s Kell Brook, who has called out Khan for a fight in the past. Other fights British boxer Khan has talked about is potential rematches against Lamont Peterson and Danny Garcia, who both beat the British boxer.

Whether it be Brook, Garcia or Peterson - I am sure Amir Khan will be keen to let his boxing do the talking and show the world he is a force to be reckoned with, despite being snubbed by arguably the best two boxers of this generation.

Khan will argue that he is a better boxer now than he was when he lost those two fights,

England Look To Put A Positive Spin On Things In Abu Dhabi

by Ayyaz Malik After regaining the Ashes, one of the last places you want to go to is the United Arab Emirates that is the task that England are due to face.

England who regained the Ashes after beating the old enemy 3-2 , come into this series looking to avenge a humiliating test series defeat to Pakistan back in 2012 when England were the number one ranked test side at the time.

Much has been made of conditions in the UAE and whether England will be able to overcome the challenge of facing spin. The Emirates which is Pakistan’s adopted home after the terror attacks on Pakistani soil in 2009, have been in brilliant form on ‘home soil.

Australia, South Africa and New Zealand are just some of the sides who have failed to win in the Emirates, which

gives you the scale of the task what England are facing.

England who had been able to call on the services of legendary spinner Graeme Swann the last time they came here, don’t have that luxury any more.

In Swann’s place England have Moeen Ali - but he still needs to develop yet. Other spin options will be Yorkshire’s Adil Rashid who will be the second spinner. Rashid will be key as he will offer something a bit different to Ali, the fact that he is a specialist spinner.

Nottinghamshire’s Samit Patel is the other option - but the 30 year old is more of a batsman than a bowler to be fair. As important as it is to have good spin bowling options, the need for England’s batsmen to have good application at the crease is more important.

Moeen Ali who will be opening the batting, needs to improve on the short ball and his

defensive technique. Pakistan have some good bowlers such as Wahab Riaz who is very aggressive and could cause England some problems, if England are not careful.

The spinners at Pakistan disposal will be potentially challenging for England.

Zulfiquar Babar will be the front line spinner for Pakistan, due to regular front line spinner Yasir Shah being injured for the opening game. The 35 year old could cause trouble to the English batsmen, some of the English batsmen have had problems with left arm spinners in the past.

There are plusses and minuses for the tourists England. Saed Ajmal who was a thorn for England’s batsmen last time they toured here, misses out due to poor form. In more good news Mohammed Hafeez who is a dangerous of break bowler is also unavailable due to the ICC

banning the all- rounder for a suspect action.

So there are plenty of plusses for England. The fact that there are a few notable absentees in the Pakistan bowling line up could help the tourists - but the fact that key batsmen Azhar Ali is also out due to a foot injury sustained whilst performing Hajj , is a huge boost as Ali is renowned for his concentration just like Alistair Cook is for England.

Players who will be stepping in for the injured Ali will be the experienced Shoaib Malik and Zulfiquar Babar, who will be replacing Yasir Shah for this one. England will be coming into this series with real question marks in the way they will deal with slower pitches, this series will be important for players like Joe Root, Yorkshire pair Jonny Bairstow and Adil Rashid .

Root who has been arguably England’s best batsmen over

the past 12 months, faces a different challenge to what he might be used to. Bairstow a player who is a talented player, will be tested in terms of his temperament no doubt.

The Yorkshire is a brilliant stroke maker - but the test in the UAE will be more about Patience. As for the third player of the Yorkshire trio, Adil Rashid although has become a regular in the one day side, is still inexperienced in the test arena.

The beauty of test cricket is the unpredictable nature of it all. Whatever the result I am sure it promises to excite.

Pakistan as I said earlier haven’t been beaten here, so they will be a tough obstacle to get around, but the same was said in 2000 as well.

Can England do the unexpected and be the first team to win in the UAE? It’s possible, but players like Root, Cook and Bell will be key.

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ASIAN SUNDAY

Sports

Khan’s Onna JuJitsu Club ‘Fight Back’ with a record breaking 15 medals at Championships

by Ayyaz Malik Onna Ju-Jitsu Club attended the Bushido Academy Northern Championships held in Chester over the weekend. The TeamONNA squad consisted of 14 members and collectively won 15 medals between them - the club’s highest tally of medals at one specific event.

The club’s students have been training very hard over the past few months

dedicating late Sunday evenings to develop skills required for the competition. Special thanks to input from Sensei Babar Raheem and Sempei Adeeb Hussain (Team Onna Squad Development Leader), the team achieved their best collection of medals since making their competition debut two years ago.

The medal tally kicked off with Senseis Eesa Yunis and Sensei Yoosuf Ghani winning both Gold and Silver respectively in the

Empty Hands Kata category.

Sensei Eesa Yunis has won an impressive three Gold medals with his amazing performance of the Preying Mantis Kata and Sensei Yoosuf Ghani achieved a Silver at his competition debut.

Senseis Ismail Ghani and Ibrahim Yunis followed hot on their heels with a further Silver and Bronze medal in the cadet’s category for Empty Hands Kata. Sensei Ismail Ghani (aged 17) has received coaching from

Sensei Eesa Yunis (aged 12) highlighting the fact that knowledge can pass through ranks and age reflecting the club’s ethos of respect and equality.

Sensei Mumtaz Khan, Senior Club Coach, further added to the competition tally by securing a Silver medal for her performance of the Sandan Form Kata in the Empty Hands Kata category.

Sensei Idrees Haider won the club’s first ever medal in a Weapon’s Kata category

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achieving a bronze medal with an excellent rendition of the Sai Kata. Sensei Idrees also added a further bronze medal to his tally in Ground Fighting.

A very notable win came from Sensei Safa Zahid (aged 12) who had to fight against boys who towered over in terms of height to secure her first medal win and was very pleased with her bronze medal proving that perseverance, courage and hard work pay off.

Sensei Jabila Khan and Sensei Mumtaz Khan both secured a Silver and Bronze medals in the Women’s Ground Fighting category.

Sensei Jabila, Progress Leader at St Bede’s and St Joseph’s Catholic Grammar School, made a fantastic debut at the competitions and went on to secure a further Bronze medal in the Continuous Fighting category leaving Sensei Mumtaz to fight in the final.

Sensei Mumtaz was overjoyed at winning her first Gold medal in the Continuous Fighting category and would like to dedicate her hat-trick win to her late brother Haqnawaz Khan (Andy) who passed away in August. She recalls being aged five and being bullied in a school playground and her older brother jumping in to rescue her. Andy said ‘ I can’t be there to protect you all the time so you need to fight back’ and fight back she did.

Senseis Tegan Johnson (aged 16) and Maryam Khan (aged 15) won the club’s first pairs demonstration medal securing 2 Bronze medals.

These particular medals were very special as they were coached and instructed primarily by Sempei Adeeb Hussain, famed within the British Ju-Jitsu Association, for his amazing acrobatic and theatrical skills in martial arts.