Birmingham councillors have praised the reading of an extract from the Quran during a mayor-making ceremony after Reform UK sparked anger by calling for an 'English language only' rule at the council.
Last month, new Reform councillors Jex Parkin and Charlie Latchford wrote to newly-appointed Lord Mayor Zaker Choudhry about the decision to invite an imam to share a brief verse in Arabic as part of the ceremony. The reading's meaning was repeated in English to those present in the council chamber.
The Reform councillors wrote in the letter that Birmingham is a 'diverse area of many cultures and religions'. But they went on to argue: 'In this spirit, we, as a Group, collectively felt the Islamic readings in Arabic were inappropriate. We appreciate and respect your own religious faith, however that section of the meeting was not inclusive to the many other groups across this city. We hence ask that all items at future council meetings be spoken in the English language as a sign of unity across all groups in our society.'
The remarks were met with immediate backlash from other councillors. Labour Coun Majid Mahmood responded: 'Birmingham's diversity is our strength – not something to be feared or politicised.' In his own letter to the Lord Mayor, he wrote: 'Our council has long welcomed prayers and reflections from different traditions and denominations. Extending that same courtesy to minority faith is not divisive or exclusionary, it is representative of the modern Birmingham we proudly serve.' He also highlighted that the reading in question was accompanied by an English translation.
The leaders of the Birmingham Lib Dems and Greens have since written their own letters to the Lord Mayor, suggesting the reading was 'promoting unity and respect'. Lib Dem group leader Coun Roger Harmer said: 'The reflection delivered at the AGM, accompanied by an English translation, promoted values of unity, respect, honesty and service to others. These are universal principles that resonate across communities and faiths throughout Birmingham. As a city, Birmingham's strength lies in its diversity. Recognising different faiths, cultures and traditions within our civic life is not exclusionary; it reflects the communities we are elected to serve.'
Coun Harmer continued: 'At a time when we are trying to come together as a city and work constructively to form an administration, we need something better than divisiveness. Our focus should be on building relationships, finding common ground and delivering for Birmingham residents, rather than creating unnecessary division over respectful expressions of faith and community values. We remain committed to working with colleagues across the council in a spirit of respect, inclusion and cooperation for the benefit of our city.'
Coun Julien Pritchard, leader of the Birmingham Greens, said his group were 'particularly moved by the peaceful and positive words of the Imam'. 'The English translation ensured that all councillors could clearly understand the message of unity, respect and honesty that was delivered,' he said. 'The message of working together respectfully for the benefit of others struck a chord with all of us.'
The results of last month's local elections, which left no party with the numbers needed to take control of the council by themselves, means the Lib Dems and Greens could be involved in a coalition which could run the authority. Talks have been taking place between various groups and a meeting is reportedly scheduled for Friday to confirm a new leader and administration. Both Labour and Reform UK have ruled themselves out of being involved in a coalition.
On the row over the reading, a council spokesperson 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.'
