Reform in Birmingham have been condemned for using a traditional Islamic prayer citation at a council ceremony to press home 'messages of division'. The party's local leaders chose to make their first public statement since winning 23 seats on the city council to criticise the saying of a short prayer in Arabic during the annual mayor making ceremony.
A verse from the Qur'an, the Islamic holy book, was read out by local imam Mohammed Abdali who then translated it and discussed its meaning in English. It is traditional for the incoming lord mayor to choose a text from their faith, or an alternative reading, to mark the occasion.
But in a move described by some Brummies as 'deliberately divisive' and 'fake rage', the leader of the group, Jex Parkin, issued a statement soon after criticising the citation and calling for any language other than English to be excluded from future council meetings.
Cllr Parkin, Kingstanding, said they 'respect the personal faith and beliefs of the Lord Mayor and all communities across Birmingham.' But he said: "It's clear only the English language should be used in public meetings in this country. We will always advocate for this, on behalf of the residents that elected us to promote and protect the language, culture and values of the United Kingdom."
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage jumped in to hail the 'common sense' approach of the local group. But critics on social media have variously described it as 'rage baiting' and 'an attempt to antagonise and divide' in a way that was invalid, when the city has much bigger issues to contend with.
James Burnett, posting on Facebook, said: "I wonder if anyone would have a problem if they had recited a Latin prayer or Gaelic and then translated it for everyone to understand...this is a non issue and performative." Another said: "I do wonder how the poor chap will react when he finds out the State Opening of Parliament is largely conducted in medieval Norman French." While Kamal Ahmed added: "No different from reading a prayer from the Bible in Greek or Latin or Hebrew. Don't let bigots divide us!" But others praised the move, several declaring 'this is England'.
The new Better Birmingham Independent group on the council, in a statement, said of the brief citation of the verse: "Whilst an Islamic prayer was recited during the ceremony, it was also translated into English for everyone present. The intention was not exclusion, but inclusion and reflection — values which Birmingham has proudly embraced for generations."
"Birmingham is one of the most diverse cities in Europe, with over 100 languages spoken across our communities and residents from many cultures, faiths and also those of no faith. That diversity is not a weakness to be tolerated reluctantly; it is one of our city’s greatest strengths. British values are rooted in mutual respect, tolerance and understanding of different beliefs and backgrounds. Those principles should guide us all in public life."
"Ceremonial prayers and reflections of different faith traditions have formed part of civic life in Birmingham’s Council House for decades. Recognising one community’s tradition does not diminish another’s place in our city."
"At a time when residents are deeply concerned about bin collections, the cost-of-living crisis, housing pressures, youth services, library provision, potholes, overgrown grass verges and the general condition of neighbourhood services, I believe the people of Birmingham expect us to focus our energy on the real challenges affecting their daily lives."
"Brummies want competent local government, cleaner streets, safer communities and opportunities for their families — not division created around a long-standing civic tradition that reflects the diversity of the city we serve. We should be working together to unite communities and improve outcomes for residents, rather than amplifying cultural differences for political purposes."
Earlier Labour councillor Majid Mahmood had called the Reform criticism 'nonsense' and pointed out a brief recitation of a passage and its translation did not amount to conducting council business. In an official statement, the city council said: "It is standard for every Lord Mayor to ask a local religious leader of their choice to do something at the start of the mayoral year, if they wish. In this case, a blessing was performed for the Lord Mayor in his particular faith. Any Lord Mayor of any faith would have an equal opportunity to do the same."
Birmingham Reform have stood by their criticism. On the group's Facebook page they have stated: "We will continue to fight for common sense every step of the way. Our commitment remains unwavering, and we won’t back down from doing what’s right for our communities and our future."
