Latest news with #MohammedShafiq
BBC News
2 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Bradford events to mark 80th anniversary of VJ Day
A series of commemorative events to mark the 80th anniversary of VJ Day are set to take place across Day, or Victory over Japan Day, is commemorated on 15 August each year, and marks the date in 1945 when Japan surrendered to the Allied forces, ending World War first event - Celebrating Bradford VJ Day - will take place at Fountains Church later, while services of remembrance will be held in Bradford, Ilkley and Keighley on Mayor of Bradford Mohammed Shafiq said: "It is important that we take this opportunity to remember the sacrifices that people made and those who have gone before us." "I hope as many people as possible will attend the events or take time to stop what they are doing and take part in the national two minutes silence at noon on Friday," he service of Remembrance in Bradford will take place at Bradford Cenotaph at from 11:45 by Reverend Canon Ned Lunn from Bradford Cathedral and attended by the Deputy Lord Mayor of Bradford, it will include the national two-minutes Day falls more than three months after VE Day, when fighting stopped in Europe following Germany's estimated 71,000 soldiers from Britain and the Commonwealth died fighting in Japan, including upwards of 12,000 prisoners of war held in Japanese Dodds, Bradford Council's Armed Forces Champion, said: "Everyone is welcome to attend any of the events to show support for the Armed Forces veterans."VJ Day is a time to remember the courage, resilience, and sacrifice of those who fought for peace and freedom." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
21-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Bradford's new Lord Mayor to celebrate the city which welcomed him
Bradford's new Lord Mayor said his story reflected that of every immigrant who lived their life with "hope, hard work and faith in their hearts".Councillor Mohammed Shafiq, who came to the UK as a child unable to speak English, was elected as the district's first citizen at the city council's annual said: "I was a 12-year-old boy not knowing a word of English, wide-eyed and unsure, yet Bradford welcomed me with open arms and made me feel at home."It became my city and four decades later I stand here not just as a resident but as Lord Mayor." The Labour politician, who had been deputy mayor behind Bev Mullaney for the past year, was first voted onto the council in 2006 and works as a social worker as well as representing voters in Bradford Shafiq for the role, Bradford Council leader Susan Hinchcliffe said his was "a story a lot of our residents recognise"."He came to a strange environment, he didn't know many people, but he managed to apply himself really well," she said."He went on to become a social worker, working with some of the most vulnerable children."It is a positive story about Bradford and immigration to Bradford, that you came here, worked hard and are now helping vulnerable children." 'Deep humility' The new Lord Mayor was also praised by other party leaders, with Conservative colleague Rebecca Poulsen saying he had proved a "very able deputy mayor" and councillor Taj Salam (Independents) said: "You're a brilliant councillor for your ward."Councillor Fozia Shaheen, who represents the Toller ward for Labour, was elected as deputy mayor for the coming donning the mayoral robes, Shafiq added: "It is with deep humility and emotion that I stand here as your Lord Mayor. This honour means more to me than I can ever express."My story is a reflection of so many families who came to this country with hope, hard work and faith in their hearts."I wish my mum and dad were here – they sacrificed so much so I could have a better life."He named his two charities for the year as Bradford District and Craven Mind and the Umeed Welfare Trust. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
30-03-2025
- General
- BBC News
'Being a chef during Ramadan is not easy'
"Yes, we're human, you miss the salt the sweet and other things."Muslims fast during Ramadan to showcase self-control and empathy for those less fortunate. No food or drink should be consumed during daylight for Mohammed Shafiq, from Derby, working as a chef during the holy month tests that devotion to an even greater degree."It can get hard, but you just have to keep on going and put that to the back of your mind," he told the BBC. The 48-year-old has worked at Qurban and Son - a family business providing catering services - for about five years. He has been cooking thousands of meals during Ramadan - many of which will be the first bit of food people have when they break their a normal day they would prepare anything from 150 to 300 meals, he said, but during Ramadan it was "a lot more".Mr Shafiq said he starts preparing the starters at 09:30 GMT before moving on to the main to the amount of people who come to collect food, he said the premises is full of people by 15:00 - some ordering up to 30 packs of food to dish out to their neighbours. All good chefs taste their food and Mr Mohammed admits the temptation is at the back of his mind."Yes, we're human, you miss the salt the sweet and other things," he said. "But your devotion to your lord becomes that little bit greater because you're always cautious - you have to be careful. "It can get hard, but you just have to keep on going and not think about it."He said despite participating Muslims refraining from eating or drinking during daylight hours, the catering industry was busier than is down to the Iftar - a daily meal during Ramadan when the fast comes to an end. Traditionally, families and friends gather at sunset to break their fast together, strengthening bonds through shared meals - something which Mr Shafiq and his staff take part in. "Once we've given everybody their food, once it goes quiet in the shop, that's when we will break our fast together with all the workers," he said."It's good but at that time you can't eat a lot because you want to break your fast, have a drink and then serve the next customer because they don't stop coming in."You have a little bite to eat and then you're back at it and you eat a bit later on after you've prayed."It's a means to assess the sincerity you have to your lord - so it's not just about abstaining from food, it makes your connection to your creator that little bit better."Ramadan is expected to come to an end on Sunday.
