Balsall Heathan # 266 Jun 2007 - St. Paul's Community Trust

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Balsall Heath Forum Focus The Abdullah Tapes As most readers will now know, Abdullah, one of the Balsall Heath Forum’s Neighbourhood Wardens played host to David Cameron, Conservative Party leader in May. Abdullah took him to a derelict council car park, which he helped to clear, visited a local school and served in several corner shops. So, the Balsall Heath Forum asked Abdullah: “What was it like to spend 2 days with David Cameron, have him sleep in your house, meet your relatives and friends and show him Balsall Heath? “If was a fantastic opportunity”, Abdullah said. “It gave dozens of people the chance to show Cameron what life was like in Balsall Heath, warts and all”. Abdullah went on to say that Cameron asked sensible questions, listened carefully to the replies, then made perceptive comments. “Was it worth it or was it a hassle? We asked Abdullah. “I’ll tell you what was a hassle”, he said. “The press and media. Cameron kept them away while he was here, so he met us all privately. But, after he’d gone, they found out and all wanted to be in on the act. While some were O.K, most wanted to know silly things like: Did he snore? Did he lift the toilet seat? I told them to ask sensible questions and began to realise that being a politician is not easy”. “How was Cameron with your relatives in your home?” we asked, “Just like a local friend”, Abdullah said. “He blended in, had no side on him, didn’t make assumptions. He chatted like a normal human being”. We asked Abdullah, what were the 3 most remarkable features of the visit?” He said: “Was it all worth it?”, we asked Abdullah? “Sure”, he said. “It was a real privilege showing the person who could be our next Prime Minister round Balsall Heath. Shop keepers and ordinary residents took real pride out of the event. When David’s office were asked what he had gained from his visit and from Abdullah. “Priceless”, they said. “He now knows far more about Islam and other faiths and how they are part of the solution, not the problem. Birmingham Council is to be praised for supporting this unique community. Its clearly where the future is to be found. He’ll be back”. Dear Abdullah, Thank you so much for letting me stay with you and your family last week and for looking after me so well. I really am most grateful to you for all you did for me during my stay in Balsall Heath, and for your generous and warm hospitality. I found the whole two days most enlightening and it really was so helpful for me to have you to shepherd me round the many local places of interest and the various community activities that I was able to visit. I particularly enjoyed spending time with you and your family in your home and at your shop, and would be most grateful if you could pass on my thanks and very best wishes to all your family, particularly Shahida, who did so much to make me feel so welcome. Thank you, once again, and please do stay in touch. “First, the visit to my son’s school. He talked to my son and all the kids at the school like he was their uncle. He was amazed that my kids are Muslims but that they go to a Jewish school. I was really proud of my son who said: “Its great, all the Holy Books are like one. They all say, “Love one another, be kind”. “Second, David served in several local shops and learned that local is good and that the relentless march of the supermarket needs to be resisted. Otherwise, it can take the friendship and meeting place of the corner shop out of local neighbourhoods and weaken them. Abdullah said, “Many people were sceptical about his visit, and when I asked the owners of Raja brothers if I could bring David to visit them and their shop they asked: “Why, what does he want to visit us for?” However, when they agreed and met him they said how down to You were all really kind and it was such an enjoyable experience. David Cameron Regarding David Cameron stay The reason why David wanted to come and stay at my uncle’s was to get a first-hand experience through the eyes of a British Asian family that has lived in the community for the last 40 years. How did the local community get rid of prostitution and drug dealers when the police refused? How cohesive are different faiths? How can a neighbourhood recover? He did not arrive with an MI5 escort or press. He learned that we see ourselves as local brothers and sisters not Jews, Muslims, Black or White. These are the words that divide communities. We in Balsall Heath have the same common goal to live in peace and harmony and to respect each other irrespective of faith and colour. To cut a long story short we were successful in getting rid of all the vices and then building one new community. David wanted to learn about how we had done this. My cousins all go to a Jewish school. Muslim and children of other faiths play together in school. So, why can’t the rest of us get along? I am proud to live in Balsall Heath, I believe we have the most multi faith area in the whole of the UK if not the World and we have never had any violence between faiths or nationalities. earth he was. Its not just that he got to know Muslims better, we got to know him better in return.” “Third, David helped to recover a lost car park and pitch which belonged to the Council but which were poorly maintained. He saw that local people could do this with passion and pride far better than the local council bureaucrats, David said, “I’m convinced local is best. If we want Vibrant Villages we’d better put ownership in the hands of the locals”. David saw this himself, and he talked to local people, asked them if they had any questions and listened to their answers. Those he met felt that he is the most down to earth and genuine person that has ever visited Balsall Heath. He has a great quality in that he LISTENS to the view of people and did not promote himself. I meet a lot of footballers, TV presenters and Actors who pass through my shop and David is the most genuine person I have ever met. During his two day visit he humbly spent time recovering an old football pitch and a car park. So, I say: David, congratulations on becoming the first politician who has come as his real self to Balsall Heath and having the time and patience to listen to us and see how we all live in solidarity and to take our lesson and to spread our story that if “they in Balsall Heath can do
it so can you all!” We are all British, irrespective of faith or race and we all have a common goal to live in peace and harmony as brothers and sisters. We have and still can all make a difference. We can make our Community and Country perfect. Use us. Use our example. Mohammed Raza Balsall Heath resident. Summer Planters The Forum’s Green Team have just finished replacing the spring plants in the large wooden planters with summer ones. They now have the task of watering them through the long, hot, days of summer. If any resident or shopkeeper would volunteer to help them in this big task, their efforts would be gratefully received. The team are not suggesting that volunteers look after all the planters, merely the one nearest to your house or shop. Anyone interested should phone Carrie on 0121-446-6182. Ladypool Road – developments The Council has made £1m available for developments in the Ladypool Road to help with its post – tornado recovery. The money is to be used in 3 ways as follows: ● ● ● £400k for shops to make improvements to their fronts Shops and restaurants are asked to apply for sums of up to £50k. £200k for marketing the area to the outside world. £400k for general environmental improvements, say, to the street furniture or Balsall Heath park. Suggestions welcome. The Way Ahead Project Helping Young people Succeed The Way Ahead Project has gained funding from the Young people’s fund to support young people move into work or training. Way Ahead offer young people the opportunity to develop their skills in a creative young person centred environment. Want your music on the Internet? · Lay down your own tracks There is no time limit on these improvements, which are expected to take place over the next 12 – 24 months. Power to the people Since visiting Balsall Heath and staying with Abdullah and his family. David Cameron has written a number of articles and made speeches explaining the impact this had on him. He wrote in The Observer (May 13 th ) that: “Asian families are incredibly strong and cohesive and have a sense of civic responsibility which puts the rest of us to shame. I found myself thinking that it is mainstream Britain which needs to integrate more with the British Asian way of life, not the other way around. If we want to remind ourselves of British values – hospitality, tolerance and generosity to name just three – there are plenty of British Muslims ready to show us what these things really mean.” Then, in the Sunday Times (June 3 rd ) he wrote about his: “Belief in social responsibilities: that people are more likely to feel part of their community if they feel real control over its future ... I want to give everyone in our country .... much greater control over what happens to their lives ... Power to the people is one of the most deeply held ... ideas and in the weeks ahead we will start to show how we plan to extend it”. At a conference in Cambridge both Labour’s Liam Byrne, Ruth Kelly and Conservative’s David Cameron spoke about the need to strengthen people’s sense of British identity: Writing in the Birmingham Post (June 1 st ) Liam Byrne said: “we need to celebrate some of the things we are proudest of in this country ... what we have in common”. · Add beats or live instruments · Mix down using the latest digital programmes e.g. Cubase · Cut your own CD · Share it with the world on the web! Ever wanted to create a short film or animation? · Here’s your chance – follow the process through · Developing ideas · Story board your film · Write scenes – direct them or even star in them · Create a documentary or an animation using computer technology or still frame Make your career decision · Follow the beyond sixteen module which will help you make career choices and give you key skills which employers want and need. Many more modules all accredited by the Open College Network. If you are aged 13 – 25 then it could be for you – no entry requirement no cost! Call Way Ahead on 0121 464 8739 email wayahead@stpaulstrust.org.uk Or call in Way Ahead Hertford Street Balsall Heath Birmingham B12 8NJ Way ahead is part of St. Paul’s Community Development Trust.
Page 1 and 2: The Balsall No. 266 June 2007 FREE
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Page 11: A question of cultural identity or

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