Murad on his travels
LAST MONTH
March began with some hard labour along the Thames foreshore as a volunteer for Thames 21, picking up the plastic bags that cause untold environmental damage to the river. On 6 March I attended the official opening of the new minaret at the Brick Lane Mosque. On 11 March, at my last session as Chair of the London Assembly's Environment Committee, we heard an inspiring presentation from Peter Elsman, the former Managing Director of Copenhagen's Environment, Water and Energy Department, about that city's efforts towards achieving carbon neutrality by 2025.
On 15 March I attended the Muslim News awards at Grosvenor House in Park Lane, where I saw the new talent that is emerging from the Muslim communities. On the 18th I was at the Irish Embassy for the St Patrick's Day reception. On the 26th I joined the Independence Day celebration organised by the Bangladesh High Commission at Kensington Town Hall.
I ended the month attending two public meeting on climate change. One was in Camden where Ed Miliband discussed climate change issues with the Bangladeshi community, and the other was at the Westbourne Forum with the theme "Under the Same Sun" where the various local communities again discussed these issues.
THIS MONTH
During the election campaigning when l have not been electioneering, l have been making various visits around London with my various hats from the London Assembly.
As Chair of the London Waterways Commission (LWC) l attended on the the 14th of April the Symposium on the River Thames & Environmental Governance - Past, Present and Future at the Greenwich Martime Institute. I argued for Mayoral powers over the Thames given the numerous enquiries that goes to the office in regard to the river Thames. On the 17th, l visited Mogden Sewage Works at Thames Water open day with a local councillor, to see first hand what is being done about odour pollution from the plant that affects adjoining neighbourhoods like Isleworth.
As Chair of the Environment Committee, l visited London City Airport in preparation for our investigation on the 10th of June concerning the environmental impact of its proposed expansion. And also the London Wildlife Trust's 25th anniversary celebration of its Camley Street natural park in the middle of Kings Cross.
Finally as a London-wide member of London Assembly, l also enjoy attending cultural and social events, like the Catalonian way of celebrating St Georges Day at Borough market on the 23rd, more of which you can see on my blog. And finally the Show Racism the Red Cards Anti-Racist School Competition 2010 Awards Ceremony at Wembley Stadium on the 22nd which is sure to become an annual event.
