A councillor has become the first ethnic minority and Muslim to be appointed as Tameside’s civic mayor.
Tafheen Sharif, who represents Mossley ward, was handed the chains of office in an official ceremony at Dukinfield Town Hall on Tuesday evening. She takes over from retiring mayor, Ashton Hurst Councillor Mike Glover, who said it had been an ‘honour’ to represent the borough.
Councillor Sharif told councillors she was looking forward to raising money for the Mayor’s charitable fund, which will support charities providing help to the most vulnerable in the borough.
“It’s a real honour and privilege for me to be representing so many people in so many ways as the first citizen of Tameside, a home I have come to love,” she said.
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“I feel my appointment as Mayor is symbolic of Tameside being a welcoming and diverse place where people are judged on their qualities.
“Of course I am honoured to cut ribbons for new and exciting ventures but also, and more importantly, it’s about making a difference in my tenure to make each visit and each engagement as meaningful as possible.
“I would love to open doors for many and bring our flourishing communities closer together.
“We will be working hard for this council and the people of Tameside and hope you will be proud of what we achieve.”
She first became an elected councillor in 2011 in Luton and then deputy police and crime commissioner for Bedfordshire, before moving to Tameside when she got married.
Coun Sharif was then elected as a councillor in Mossley in 2016. She also serves as a Justice of the Peace and a school governor, and as vice chair of Home-Start. Her husband Dr Faisal Parvez will be her consort for the 2023/24 Mayoral year.
Coun Jacqueline North told the meeting she was ‘delighted’ to nominate Coun Sharif as the new Mayor.
“It is a proud moment in the history of the borough as Councillor Tafheen Sharif becomes the first Muslim and ethnic minority Mayor,” she added.
“A commitment to civic duty has long been a part of Taf’s life, breaking down many barriers along the way.”
Coun North said that while representing Mossley Coun Sharif had fought off ‘inappropriate’ planning applications, helped resolve education and housing issues and lobbied for better bus services.
“I believe that here today, Taf stands as an inspiration to women of all ages,” she added.
Coun Eleanor Wills seconded the motion, saying ‘she represents not only women, but women within the Muslim community, women within ethnic minorities’ and was a ‘fantastic role model’.
Other councillors also paid tribute to the new Mayor, including council leader Ged Cooney who said he was ‘positive’ that she would ‘distinguish herself in representing Tameside and its diverse communities’.
Councillor Betty Aflleck, who represents Hyde Godley ward, was also appointed as deputy Mayor at the meeting.
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