Mothin Ali
An editor has nominated this article for deletion. You are welcome to participate in the deletion discussion, which will decide whether or not to retain it. |
Mothin Ali | |
|---|---|
| Member of Leeds City Council for Gipton and Harehills | |
| Assumed office May 3, 2024 | |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Green Party |
Mothin Ali is a British Green Party politician and a member of Leeds City Council.
Politics
Ali was elected to Leeds City Council for the Gipton and Harehills ward at the 2024 election. He was criticised after describing his local election victory a "win for the people of Gaza" amidst the Israel–Hamas war.[1]
On 7 October during the 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel, Ali said that people should "support the right of indigenous people to fight back" and said that "they are not victims, they are occupiers, they are colonialists, they are European colonialists". Ali was condemned by the Board of Deputies of British Jews and subsequently apologised for "any upset my comments caused" and said that he does not support violence on either side.[2]
Harehills unrest
During the 2024 Harehills unrest, Ali formed a human shield to stop violence escalating and appealed for calm.[3] Ali was erroneously accused of taking part in the unrest by some far-right political commentators. The Muslim Council of Britain commended Ali for his "bravery and service" during the unrest.[4]
Personal life
Ali moved to Gipton and Harehills in 2000.[5] He is an accountant by day and Islamic teacher in the evenings.[6]
Ali has a YouTube channel "My Family Garden" where he documents his gardening.[6] Ali started the DigItOut campaign which aims to end racism in horticulture and gardening[7] and said he was appalled by the conclusions of the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities.[8]
References
- ^ Russell, Rachel (7 May 2024). "Leeds: Green Party councillor Mothin Ali apologises for Gaza comments". BBC News.
- ^ Pope, Felix (7 May 2024). "Newly elected Green councillor apologises for October 7 anti-Israel tweets". The Jewish Chronicle.
- ^ Davis, Barney (19 July 2024). "The hero councillor who formed a human shield to stop violence escalating in Leeds riots". The Independent.
- ^ Mulla, Imran (19 July 2024). "UK: Far right blames Muslims and 'third world' migrants for Leeds unrest". Middle East Eye.
- ^ Gent, Craig (28 May 2024). "Are Green Shoots Starting to Crack the Red Wall?". Novara Media.
- ^ a b Healey, Shawna (11 January 2022). "Popular Leeds gardener speaks on raising his kids outdoors and racism in the horticulture community". Asian Standard.
- ^ "#Dig It Out – Championing Equality & Diversity". Retrieved 20 July 2024.
- ^ Ryan, Emma (2 April 2021). ""Racism is alive and well" - black communities in Leeds slam government report into race disparity". Yorkshire Evening Post. Yorkshire Post Newspapers.
External links
- "Councillor details - Councillor Mothin Ali". democracy.leeds.gov.uk. Leeds City Council.
- MyFamilyGarden