Luton, UK—On Thursday, 24th October 2024, Luton marked Kashmir National Day with a historic civic ceremony at the Town Hall. The Azad Jammu and Kashmir flag was hoisted for the first time in recognition and celebration of the town’s proud and vibrant Kashmiri community. The event, organised in partnership with the Kashmir Development Foundation (KDF), brought together community leaders, civic guests, academics, and representatives from diverse organisations to celebrate the rich cultural heritage and contributions of the Kashmiri diaspora in Luton.
Councillor Tahmina Saleem, Mayor of Luton, who hosted the ceremony, said:
“We are so lucky in Luton to live in such a vibrant and super diverse town. We celebrate this diversity all year round and today on Kashmir National Day it was a great opportunity to recognise and celebrate the invaluable contributions of our Kashmiri community here in Luton.
A large number of Luton’s community has a strong affiliation and connection with Kashmir, so it was fantastic to celebrate the unique Kashmiri culture and heritage which adds so much to Luton’s vibrancy.
There was also a serious element to today’s event in which we recognised challenges such as inequalities that many Luton’s communities face, so the flag hoisting also symbolised our shared commitment to building a more inclusive town for all.”
The event, attended by civic leaders, councillors, and community representatives, highlighted the vital role of Luton’s British Kashmiri community in the town’s social, cultural, and economic life.
Councillor Javed Hussain, Deputy Leader of Luton Council, in his message emphasised the importance of supporting all communities:
“The Kashmiri community is an integral part of Luton’s identity, and today’s celebration serves as a reminder of our commitment to ensuring equality and opportunity for everyone. We will continue working towards addressing the inequalities that affect many of our communities, from education and employment to health and social care and housing.”
Sardar Aftab Khan, Executive Director of the Kashmir Development Foundation (KDF), praised the partnership between community organisations and the Council, saying:
“The Kashmir Development Foundation is proud to be part of this historic moment. At KDF, we are committed to empowering underrepresented voices, fostering good relations, and supporting initiatives that address the inequalities that still exist. We stand ready to work with Luton Borough Council and the wider public sector to overcome barriers and create equitable opportunities for all.”
The ceremony also reflected on the role of education and health equity in promoting community wellbeing. Dr Nasreen Ali, Professor of Public Health Equality at the University of Bedfordshire, remarked:
“We must address the structural inequalities that impact educational attainment and health outcomes in our community. Working together, we can ensure that the Kashmiri and wider South Asian communities in Luton receive the support they need to thrive.”
Lobia Begum, Founder of Empowering Education and Empowering Women CIC, stated: “Today’s event is a powerful reminder of the strength we gain through community unity. By coming together, we can bridge the gaps in educational achievement and ensure that both young people and adults in Luton have the resources and opportunities they need to succeed.”
The celebration concluded with a community networking session, where local leaders, activists, and residents discussed ways to continue strengthening the bonds within Luton’s diverse communities.
A large number of British Kashmiri, Irish, Sikh, Afro Caribbean and other diverse community members and leaders including Mrs Amna Noor, Mrs Kiyani, Mrs Shakila, Ms Farah, Former Mayor of Luton Riaz Butt, Former Mayor of Luton Mohammed Yaqoob, Former Mayor of Luton Tahir Malik, Cllr Anwar Malik, Cllr Amjid, Cllr Basit, Cllr Mehmood, Dr Tahir Lone, Dr Mazher Kiyani, Councillor Zainab Raja, Councillor Idrees Lateef, Sardar Sabir Gul, Professor Arif Khan, Mufti Khalid Mahmood, Haji Shifat Pothi, Syed Hussain Shaheed Sarwar, Professor Zaffar Khan, Latif Malik, Ajaz Malik, Raja Nisar, Haji Qurban, Yousaf Choudhary, Mehrban Malik, Raja Azam, Khurshid Mughal, Ch Jahangir Hussian, Ehtisham ul Haq Qureshi, Asif Sharif, Asad Raja, Toqeer Lone, and others attended the civic ceremony.
Report by S M Irfan Tahir Photojournalist / Member National Union of Journalists (NUJ) Great Britain.
