Time to be heard

A united voice

Time to be heard

Meet Abbas

I came to the UK in 1972 and like many other Bangladeshi families, my first experience of home was a squat in Tower Hamlets. As a teenager, this squatting movement was my introduction to politics. I was prominent in the Bengali Housing Action Group, which campaigned for better and safe housing.

I realised change could come from grassroots and community actions but they had their limits, I joined the Labour Party and was elected as one of the first Bangladeshi councillors for that party in 1985 . I served as a councillor for twenty years and in 2001 I became leader of the council.

I currently live in Tower Hamlets with my wife and children, and continue to fight for my communities best interests, whether it is for better education, affordable housing or access to legal aid.

My story

2017

Grenfell and after.

I was an adviser to the Gold Group appointed by the Home Secretary to advise the COBRA committee after the tragedy at Grenfell Tower. I liaised with the families and helped to arrange accommodation, counselling and benefits.

2001

Leader and making changes.

I was elected Leader of Tower Hamlets Council, the first Bangladeshi to be so in the country. I turned the borough from failing educationally to a Beacon Council.

I have been a councillor in the borough for more than twenty years and have headed many committees and brought in much needed changes.

1985

The Labour Party in Tower Hamlets.

I joined the Labour Party in Tower Hamlets and became the youngest Bangladeshi councillor.

1984

Entering the mainstreams.

I was one of the founders of Spitalfields Housing Cooperative and also began to work with unionised restaurant workers and formed the Bengali Workers Action Group in Camden to campaign for rights for the low paid.

I began a long process of learning, starting with basic English and leading to an MA in Voluntary Sector Public Policy from the University of East London.

1984

Gloucester Place deaths.

Three Bangladeshis died in a fire at a poorly conditioned hostel in Camden. We occupied Camden Town Hall for several weeks and I drafted the following statement:

“Today we celebrate victory. Our accommodation might not be what we wanted but it is better than the death trap Camden Council put us in. Our anger at these unnecessary deaths was the catalyst for our protests, demanding that Camden start taking its responsibilities to homeless families seriously”.

1978

The struggle goes global

After the murder of Altab Ali, my community organised a massive demonstration and march from the park to 10 Downing Street carrying a coffin. This single event brought us to national significance.

1977

The GLC give in

After the Tories won a clear majority in the Greater London Council elections, I was one of a delegation that met with them to persuade them to house us and the GLC announced a squatter’s amnesty.

1976

The most important year

This was the year that shaped my community in every way and shaped my attitude to organising.

Racial attacks were becoming more common and the community formed the Anti-Racist Committee of Asians in East London. ARC-AEL organised the biggest demonstration to date against the attacks.

1974