Cllr Saqlain Choudry

I sincerely hope and pray that 2024 is full of peace, safety, kindness, happiness and faith in humanity is restored.

As we mark the beginning of 2024, from Palestine to Kashmir, Congo to Ukraine, Sudan and around the world, let us remember those who are suffering in pain, conflict and from oppression.

Wishing you peace of mind, blessings, happiness and a better year ahead.

Wishing you and your families a safe and blessed festive break.

In these difficult times, as you mark the festivities and holiday break with loved ones, please do remember those less fortunate in your thoughts and prayers.

As you eat together, do remember those who don’t have the same privileges.

As you sit and talk with one another, do remember those who don’t have the same luxury.

We hope for a safer, happier and more prosperous 2024.

Best wishes to you and your loved ones.

It was good to join fellow Councillors and members of the community at the Hanukkah celebrations.

Thank you to Brondesbury Park synagogue for putting on a wonderful community event despite the cold & rainy weather at Willesden Green station last evening. Particularly heartwarming to see people of all faiths and none unite as we recognise Brent’s diversity.

Happy Hanukkah to all those celebrating the Festival of Lights in Willesden Green and beyond!

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is worsening day by day. The truce has brought a temporary ceasefire but a permanent ceasefire is essential in preventing more deaths and casualties.

Over the weekend, hundreds joined a humanitarian mission through a football tournament to raise thousands of £ for the people of Gaza. Every pound raised will go towards the humanitarian project led by Islamic Relief on the ground to provide essential medical equipment, food, water, fuel and key supplies.

The intense bombing and bombardment of Gaza has led to unimaginable scenes. The UN reports that about 160 children are killed every day in Gaza. The death toll (particularly among children) is sickening. The UN Secretary General has warned against the indiscriminate and disproportionate action against the people of Gaza and expressed concern over the shutting of electricity, water, food and fuel supplies.

Important to stress that 100% of all funds raised from this noble humanitarian effort will go towards the innocent people of Gaza.

The tournament commenced with 14 diverse teams from different walks of life. A competitive environment that led to PCC and Connect Stars battling in the final and Connect Stars eventually victorious.

I feel blessed and honoured to have the opportunity to serve the community.

For me, politics is more than just speeches and debates. It’s about having a tangible and lasting impact on people’s lives. It’s the real term impact that decisions have on communities. It is about service, helping one another and working for humanity.

All praises to Allah, the Most Merciful and Gracious.

My sincere thanks and gratitude to my family and Brent colleagues in particular for their immense support and encouragement.

I strongly feel that it is a huge honour and privilege to serve and represent the community and I am grateful to the panel for the award - LGIU Young Councillor of the Year.

As part of Islamophobia Awareness Month, Brent Council hosted a discussion with academics, councillors, community representatives and the public.

We need to challenge discrimination & racism and do more collectively in society to remove anti-Muslim hatred.

Those in positions of power from the media to politicians have a duty to challenge and condemn hatred, not incite and spread hatred.

In recent months and years, the alarming rate of anti-Muslim hatred has deeply impacted communities.

We must strongly challenge and report.

It was wonderful to hear of the impactful work of Suraiya Rasheed (Diversity Diagonistics), Iman Abou Atta (Tell Mama) and Wael Zubi.

Important that academics, industry experts, politicians and the wider public engage collectively to understand and challenge this form of hatred.

Alhumdulilah (all thanks to the Almighty), I’m honoured and extremely grateful to have received the Young Councillor of the Year award at the LGIU awards ceremony.

Without the support of family & Brent colleagues, who continue to encourage and inspire, this wouldn’t have been possible.

Congratulations to all those shortlisted who do fantastic and inspiring work for our communities! Everyone is a winner and a real asset to our communities.

It continues and always will be the greatest honour to represent the area you grew up in & lived in.

I got involved in local politics to make a difference to peoples lives. I’ll continue to do whatever I can to champion the voices of our diverse communities, encourage more young people to get involved and tackle injustices that hold many of our communities back.

Once again, grateful to those who nominated and supported.

Today, we opened a Community Cafe in Willesden Green that will run every Friday at 2pm.

Purpose: to provide a warm space for ALL in the community, provide a nutritious meal and interact with others.

No ID. No checks. Open to all.

Location: Central Mosque of Brent NW2 4PU

Statement from 38 Brent Labour Councillors calling for an immediate ceasefire.

*Willesden Green's Cllr Saqlain Choudry is shortlisted for Young Councillor of the Year award after being elected in 2022*

"New challenges, new things. The best thing about Willesden is it's so diverse, we have growing Italian communities, East European, Afghan, Indian, Pakistani presence.

When I got elected, I made a promise to do my best to serve all residents.

It continues to remain the greatest honour to serve and represent the area I grew up in.

I will continue to work hard for all residents and play my part in improving society.

Extremely grateful and humbled to be nominated.

'Being nominated is quite something': Councillors shortlisted for national awards Two councillors in Brent have beaten 300 competitors to be nominated for national awards recognising their contributions.

Brent Connects - Willesden

Register for the Willesden Brent Connects meeting now!

📆 Monday 6th November
🕣 6pm - 8pm

These forums provide an important opportunity to access, participate in and influence council decisions and make sure your voice is heard.

Topics for discussion at the meeting, include:

- Anti-Social Behaviour
- New Community Review Planning Panels
- Brent’s Community Grants programme (formerly NCIL)
- A Community Soap Box for residents to raise local issues

*Link to register*: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/willesden-brent-connects-monday-6th-november-tickets-693953051257?aff=oddtdtcreator

This is your local forum and your participation is valued.

Alongside the Willesden Green Town Team and Breathe London, we installed a Breathe Node to monitor air quality in the local area.

The Node will provide data that will enable us to better understand the problem and work towards cleaner air.

The Breathe London node is located on Willesden High Road and will be monitored regularly to provide vital information on the quality of air locally.

It was reassuring to hear from local Met Police leaders, inspectors and the Borough Commander on their plans to deliver better policing in Brent and their work in engaging with our diverse communities.

Progress has been made but there is still a long way to go.

Another popular and well used community skip service in Willesden Green.

Hundreds of good quality items recycled and it was a good opportunity for residents to dispose bulky waste.

Thanks to the Veolia crew for their support and help.

Community Skips are back in Willesden Green!

You can drop off to up to five bulky items free of charge, as long as you are a Brent resident.

I will also be on hand if you would like to speak to the team about anything. Please do come along.

📍Kenneth Crescent NW2 4PN
📆Sunday 17th September 2023
🕣2pm to 4pm

The Met Police held a new Met for London public event bringing together organisations, communities and the public to hear from people firsthand on their experiences & priorities.

This is part of their promise to be more transparent with their plans.

We need more investment in community policing. The Met has promised to deliver that.

We need culture change. The Met has promised to deliver that.

We need to work more collaboratively and closely with the public. The Met has promised to deliver that.

It was good to be on British Muslim TV with host, Mohammed Shafiq, and debate all things politics, the urgent need for change and a fresh start for Britain.

People have had enough and want change.

From party-gate to Liz Truss, the Tories have mismanaged and failed to govern properly.

It’s time to put honesty and integrity back into politics and government. It’s time to listen to struggling families across the country. It’s time to elect a Labour government to ensure a fairer, more equal, secure, prosperous and safer society.

Last night, Cricklewood Mosque hosted an event to mark Pakistan’s Independence.

To date, Pakistan and it’s people have come far in all walks of life. From societal improvements to leading pioneers in industry, there is so much to be proud of.

But as we look on, and look to the future, we should not forget the sacrifices of the generations and ancestors before us who fought for freedom and basic rights.

We must also remember those who have lost their lives in the line of duty and those who have sadly passed away due to natural disasters (earthquakes and recent floods).

As Pakistan navigates through a challenging time in its history, it’s so important that the democracy, rule of law and fundamental human rights are upheld and unconditionally supported.

Cloudy and warm Saturday afternoon in Willesden Green, hitting Sandringham Road.

Spoke to residents and picked up casework: from housing to environment, here to support all year around.

It was also reassuring to see the newly resurfaced pavement.

We are still enduring high levels of inflation, economic uncertainty and a cost of living crisis.

With the cost of essentials rising and interest rates rising to curb inflation, many people are feeling the effects of inflationary pressures. You are not alone.

Please see the attached image which shows some of the support available through energy bills support, food support, council tax support and much more. You can also reach out to your local Cllrs for specific concerns or casework.

A meeting for community members to launch the Commissioner’s New Met for London plan.

This is to provide an insight into how this will affect policing and community safety in the London Borough of Brent and seek your views.

An engagement event with breakout sessions to launch the Commissioner’s New Met for London plan.

This is to provide an insight into how the plan will affect policing and community safety in the London Borough of Brent.

Tue, 29 Aug 2023 18:00 - 21:00

Brent Civic Centre, Wembley

Register on this link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/brent-police-new-met-for-london-meeting-tickets-677987407587?aff=oddtdtcreator

This afternoon, I led a walkabout in Willesden Green with fellow Councillors and Cllr Harbi Farah (Cabinet Member for Safer Communities and Public Protection) and spoke to local businesses & residents on anti-social behaviour and crime.

I have been liaising closely with Willesden Green SNT and council officers on a number of topics including regular updates, reporting of crime and engagement with local communities.

*Community Skips are back*

11th July 6pm - 8pm
Windsor Road, Willesden Green

5th August 11am - 1pm
Vincent Gardens, Dollis Hill

5th August 2pm - 4pm
St Gabriel’s Road, Cricklewood & Mapesbury

Your chance to dispose large items you don’t need or recycle, for FREE!

In 1995, a horrific massacre took place in Srebrenica. Over 8,000 Bosnian Muslims were brutally murdered.

Remembering Srebrenica is about educating our communities on the ethical cleansing that took place and the lessons that we must learn from this tragic genocide.

Today’s moving event and memorial service at Brent Council listened to survivors of the genocide and their stories.

It is important we remember, learn and pledge. It is pivotal we hear people’s experiences. It’s critical that we remember their suffering and pledge, never again.

This year’s theme, Together We Are One, intends to bring together the community and share our experiences in peace and harmony. A timely reminder now more than ever before.

History isn’t just something for the books but something we should actively remember & learn from.

From mine to yours, wishing you a blessed, happy and safe Eid.

As millions around the world mark the beautiful occasion of Eid ul Adha with new clothes, gifts, money and with family, please remember those less fortunate in your Duas.

Free cycle training organised by Brent Council at the Central Mosque of Brent.

Great to see the close collaboration between Brent Health Matters, Brent’s Climate Emergency Team and multi-faith institutions in promoting healthier living habits and cycling 🚴‍♂️

Free bikes available on the day 👏

On Sunday, it was lovely to join the Eastern European community at the Eastern European festival, celebrating the diverse culture here in Brent and supporting local businesses.

Well done to Cllr Teo Benea for organising and leading this effort which hopefully will be an annual event to cherish the wonderful contributions of our Eastern European communities.

Lovely to join the Neighbourhood Patrol team in Gladstone Park, on a hot Saturday afternoon, observing their great work in enforcing PSPOs and patrolling the local park.

Please stay hydrated and safe in this scorching summer heat!