PERSONAL PROFILE
Personal Statement
I have lived in Waltham Forest since 1969. My children were born here and went to local schools. During this period I have actively participated in local social and political life and took a leading role in several campaigns. Throughout my life I have believed in, and fought for, a better, fairer and a caring society, where my children and those of our entire fellow citizen’s, are given equal opportunities and, are equipped with decent education and the necessary skills to live a decent and responsible life.
As a local businessman, employing more than 25 people at one time, I tried to ensure that I gave a fair chance to them and provide them with opportunities to further their careers and skills. It also provided me with valuable experience as a businessman understanding the needs and aspirations of the business community.
My voluntary work also spans some 30 years, both locally and nationally. I have been an active member of several community organisations in the area and represented some at national level. As an active member of the local Muslim Community, I played an active role in the establishment of the local Mosque on Lea Bridge Road and helped develop the organisational and management structures of, both the Mosque and the Waltham Forest Asian Centre. At both places I worked very closely with many other key members of our community forming a well organised and an effective team. Having worked as a School Governor in a secondary school has also given me an insight to the education system and the educational needs of our children, particularly issues raised by various Government and Ofsted inspection reports.
I was also heavily involved in the issues that emerged from the Younis Khan family’s tragic murder that griped the area in the early 80’s. Combating racism and promoting better Police-Community relations (particularly young people) occupied my attention for several years. This enabled me to gain experience in family counseling, casework, confidence building, youth work and getting the communities working together to eliminate racism and fascism. My involvement with Pakistan Muslim League, where I served on the National Executive (UK) and was Chairman of the Greater London branch, has given me both political and organisational skills. These skills have been enhanced through my work in the Lib-Dem party, both as a member of the Focus Team and as a candidate for the local Councillorship.
As a Poet, writer and an Author, I have great interest in Literature, Arts and Cultural activities. I have written several articles, as a Freelance journalist, for local and national newspapers in UK and in Pakistan, presented stage shows, compared cultural and social programmes, hosted weekly community Radio and TV programmes and written articles.
I was elected as a councillor in May 2003 for Forest Ward in London Borough of Waltham Forest, re-elected in 2006 and became the MAYOR OF WALTHAM FOREST for 2006/7. In March 2007, I was elected as the Lib-Dem Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Leyton and Wanstead Constituency.
I was appointed Chair of the Planning committee for 2007/8, Chair of Licensing committee for 2008/9 and 2009/10 and Chair of Leyton & Wanstead community council for 2009/10.
PERSONAL
Name: MASHOODUL FAROOQ QURESHI
Address: 233 Vicarage Road
Leyton, London E10 7HQ
Telephone: (Day) 020 8558 3696
(Mob) 07956 290240
E-mail: cllr.farooq.qureshi@walthamforest.gov.uk
f.qureshi@hotmail.co.uk
Web: www.farooqqureshi.mycouncillor.org.uk
EDUCATION
1958 Government High School
Jhelum, Pakistan
1959-1961 Government Inter Collage
Jhelum, Pakistan
1962-63 Government Degree College
Jhelum, Pakistan
FURTHER EDUCATION/TRAINING
1971 City & Guild Cert – Leather Garment Design
1997 Certificate in Computer Skills
1998 Cert. In Millennium Bug
2007 I&DeA Leadership Academy Module 1,2&3
2008 I&DeA Leadership Academy Module 4
EMPLOYMENT
1971-99 Owner/Manager Garment Manufacturer
1999-2004 Owner/Manager Restaurant/Take Away
COMMUNITY/VOLUNTARY WORK
1971-79 Secretary Pakistan Youth Federation, London
1979-82 Executive Member Campaign against Racism & Fascism
1980-82 Exec. Member W.F. Community Relations Council
1981-89 Joint Secretary Waltham Forest Islamic Association
1980- General Secretary Muslim Welfare & Funeral Society
1991-97 Exec. Member Waltham Forest Asian Centre
1997-02 Director Asian Business Association
1999-01 Director Asia Link Network Ltd
1999-01 Member Pak-Punjabi Cultural Society
1999-2001 Governor George Mitchell School, Leyton
2000-02 Secretary Pakistan Forum London
2001- 8 Secretary Bazam-e- Sukhan (Cultural Assoc.)
2008-9 Secretary UK Pakistan Cultural Foundation
2008-9 Chairman Waltham Forest Pakistanis Comm Forum
POLITICAL
1995-03 Chair- Greater London Pakistan Muslim League
1998 Lib-Dem candidate LBWF- Lea Bridge Ward
2002 Lib-Dem candidate LBWF- Wood Street Ward
2003 Lib-Dem candidate LBWF- Forest Ward (Elected)
2004 Federal Conference Representative Leyton and Wanstead
2006 Lib-Dem candidate LBWF- Forest Ward (Elected)
2006/7 Elected Mayor of Waltham Forest
2007 Elected PPC for Leyton and Wanstead
Additional Political Involvements as a councillor
Chair of Grants Advisory Committee 2003/4/5
Social Services Complaints Review Panel Member 2003/4/5
Voluntary Sector Committee Member 2003/4
Lib-Dem Representative for Equalities 2003 to 2007
Anti-Social Behavior Panel Member
Licensing Panel Member
Mayor of Waltham Forest 2006/7
Chair Planning Committee 2007/8
Chair Licensing committee 2008/9 & 2009/2010
Chair community council 2008/9 & 2009/2010
Publications
Gulistan e Ghazi Qalander 2004
(A research in Poetry and Sophiesam)
