A council has appointed its first female Muslim mayor. 

Councillor Syeda Khatun will serve as the mayor of Sandwell for the 2024/25 year following a ceremony in Oldbury on Tuesday.

The long-standing Sandwell councillor was first elected in 1999 becoming the first Bangladeshi woman to be elected in the Midlands region and the first Muslim woman to win a seat on Sandwell Council.

She was awarded an MBE in the 2004 New Year Honours for her services to community development in Sandwell. 

Halesowen News: (from left to right) The deputy mayoress of Sandwell, Val Thacker, deputy mayor Cllr Steve Melia, mayor Cllr Syeda Khatun and mayoress Syeda Hasna. (from left to right) The deputy mayoress of Sandwell, Val Thacker, deputy mayor Cllr Steve Melia, mayor Cllr Syeda Khatun and mayoress Syeda Hasna. (Image: Sandwell Council)

At the full council meeting on Tuesday evening, Cllr Khatun said she was “very humbled and honoured” to become the borough’s first citizen.

On becoming mayor, Cllr Khatun said: “This is a great privilege and honour and my promise to all is that I will uphold this honour and make Sandwell proud.

“I am Sandwell’s first female Muslim mayor which helps to reflect our diverse population in the borough and I feel very proud to be representing everyone in Sandwell.

“I want to wish every success to the leader, Councillor Kerrie Carmichael, her cabinet and all councillors new and old across the chamber whatever their political allegiance.

“I would also like to thank the outgoing mayoral team for all their hard work over the last year.”

At Tuesday’s meeting, Cllr Steve Melia, who represents the Great Barr with Yew Tree ward, was also appointed deputy mayor. Cllr Melia’s sister, Val Thacker, will serve as deputy mayoress. 

At the ceremony, votes of thanks were also passed to the outgoing mayor Councillor Bill Gavan and deputy mayor Councillor Elaine Giles.

Cllr Khatun’s daughter Syeda Hasna will serve as mayoress. 

The mayor will be raising money for children’s charity Acorns and the Yemeni Community Association’s Let’s Talk Hope project.

Acorns offers a network of palliative care and support to life-limited and life-threatened children and their families.

YCA Let’s Talk Hope actively raises awareness, offers guidance and extends support to anyone impacted by cancer, engaging with community and various faith groups to destigmatise discussions around cancer.