East Hampshire Chairman Boldly Breaks Tradition At Muslim Convention

Cllr Catherine Clark, Chairman of East Hampshire District Council, giving a speech.

Councillor Catherine Clark was elected as Chairman of East Hampshire District Council during a Full Council Meeting on Thursday 16th May 2024, over two months ago (the role of Chairman is similar to that of Mayor).

To mark the occasion, a Civic Service was held on Thursday 25th July 2024 and fellow Chairmen were invited as well as Mayors, Lord Mayors, Councillors and members of the general public.

An event like this typically takes place inside a church, cathedral or town hall and is typically presided over by a clergyman or a priest. 

But this was no ordinary event. Despite being a Christian, Chairman Catherine Clark decided to hold the ceremony in Hadeeqatul Mahdi (Oaklands Farm) at the site of the Annual Convention (Jalsa Salana) of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.

The event began with an Imam reciting the Holy Qur’an and concluded. This is the first time that this has ever been done during the ceremony of a Christian Chairman.

Those attending comprised various dignitaries, including numerous Mayors and Chairmen, as well as the High Sheriff of Hampshire.

A group photo of various dignitaries, in the centre of which is Madam Chairman of East Hampshire District Council.

In her remarks, Madam Chairman Catherine Clark praised the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and stated that one of her reasons for conducting her ceremony in this way was to remove any hesitancy towards Islam that people might have.

As Ahmadi Muslims we are proud to live in an inclusive and diverse society that respects and accepts people of all faiths.

We sincerely hope and pray that Cllr Catherine Clark will be happy and successful in her new role. Ameen.