{{Short description|British Labour Party politician, councillor (born 1969)}} {{Use British English|date=May 2015}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2026}} {{Infobox officeholder | honorific_prefix = | name = Nasim Ali | native_name = নাসিম আলী | native_name_lang = bn | honorific_suffix = OBE | image = | image_size = 220px | small_image = | alt = | caption = | office = Leader of Camden London Borough Council | deputy = Angela Mason {{small|(2010–2011)}}<br />Sue Vincent {{small|(2011–2012)}} | term_start = 26 May 2010 | term_end = 9 May 2012 | predecessor = Keith Moffitt | successor = Sarah Hayward | office1 = Labour Group Leader on Camden London Borough Council | term_start1 = 12 May 2009 | term_end1 = 10 May 2012 | deputy1 = Jonathan Simpson {{small|(2009–2010)}}<br />Angela Mason {{small|(2010–2011)}}<br />Sue Vincent {{small|(2011–2012)}} | predecessor1 = Anna Stewart | successor1 = Sarah Hayward | office2 = Mayor of Camden | term_start2 = 14 May 2003 | term_end2 = 13 May 2004 | deputy2 = Harriet Garland | predecessor2 = Judith Pattison | successor2 = Harriet Garland | office3 = Camden London Borough Councillor<br />for Regent's Park | term_start3 = 2 May 2002 | term_end3 = 7 May 2026 | predecessor3 = James Turner | successor3 = | birth_name = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1969|2|7|df=y}} | birth_place = Islampur, Shah Paran Thana, Sylhet, East Pakistan | death_date = | death_place = | resting_place = | citizenship = | party = Labour | other_party = | spouse = {{plainlist|*{{marriage|Amanda|2003||end=div}} * Lina Choudhury<ref name=":0" /> }} | partner = | relations = | children = 3 | parents = | alma_mater = University of Kent | occupation = Executive Director | profession = Politician | known_for = | awards = | signature = | signature_alt = | website = | footnotes = }}
'''Nasim''' "'''Nash'''" '''Ali''' ({{langx|bn|নাসিম আলী}}; born 7 February 1969) is a British Labour Party politician, former councillor for Regent's Park, former Cabinet Member for Young People in Camden Council and former Mayor of Camden. In May 2003, at the age of 34, after being elected Mayor of Camden, he became the UK's youngest mayor, as well as the first Bangladeshi and first Muslim mayor.
In 2026 he lost his seat.
==Early life== Ali was born in Islampur, Shah Paran Thana, Sylhet District, East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) and came to the United Kingdom at the age of seven in 1976. He grew up on the Regent's Park Estate. He attended Netley Primary School and South Camden Community School, he left with one O-level in Art.<ref name="camdennewjournal4">{{cite news|last=Latham|first=Bob|url=http://www.camdennewjournal.com/news/2010/may/local-elections-2010-nasim-nash-ali-one-o-level-council-leader-profile-labours-top-man|title=LOCAL ELECTIONS 2010: Nasim 'Nash' Ali, from one O-level to council leader - Profile of Labour's top man at the Town Hall|location=Camden|newspaper=Camden New Journal|date=20 May 2010|access-date=1 February 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202100100/http://www.camdennewjournal.com/news/2010/may/local-elections-2010-nasim-nash-ali-one-o-level-council-leader-profile-labours-top-man|archive-date=2 February 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
In 2001, Ali graduated with a BA in Informal and Community Education by distance learning from the University of Kent.<ref name="bbwhoswho11">{{cite book |last1=Karim|first1=Mohammed Abdul|last2=Karim|first2=Shahadoth|title=British Bangladeshi Who's Who|url=http://www.bbwhoswho.co.uk/images/who_%20who_2011.pdf|date=October 2011|publisher=British Bangla Media Group|page=24|access-date=1 April 2014}}</ref>
Ali's elder brother, Sitar, is treasurer of the Bengali Workers' Association.<ref name="camdennewjournal4"/>
==Early career== In November 1984, Ali took his family to join the "occupation" of the Town Hall following the death of a Bangladeshi family in a bed-and-breakfast hotel in Westminster. Five years later, he worked with Camden Law Centre to establish Camden Monitoring Project to provide safe transport for Bangladeshi men being attacked by skinheads on their way home from work. At the time, his father was working as a chef and his younger brother owned a pizza shop.<ref name="camdennewjournal4"/>
Since the 1980s, Ali has been active in the Regent's Park Estate local community.<ref name="camdenlabour1">{{cite web |url=http://www.camdenlabour.org.uk/your-representatives/regents-park/|title=Regent's Park|publisher=Camden Labour|access-date=1 February 2014}} Cllr Nasim Ali</ref> Since the age of 14, he has been involved in voluntary work.<ref name="cypnow">{{cite magazine |last=Williamson|first=Dan|url=http://www.cypnow.co.uk/ypn/news/1067110/big-interview-the-model-mayor-nasim-ali-mayor-london-borough-camden|title=BIG INTERVIEW: The new-model mayor – Nasim Ali mayor, London Borough of Camden|magazine=Children & Young People Now|date=25 June 2003|access-date=1 February 2014}}</ref> In 1989, he established the Camden Monitoring Group to combat racial harassment.<ref name="camdenlabour1"/> In the same year, he was seconded from Camden Youth Service to become a part-time volunteer for the community and social welfare charity Bengali Workers' Association.<ref name="cypnow"/> Also that year, he enrolled onto Kingway College (now known as Westminster Kingsway College) and obtained B grades in both GCSE English language and mathematics.
In August 1994, he established Camden United Project<ref name="camdennewjournal4"/> to unite conflicting<ref name="cypnow"/><ref name="camdennewjournal1">{{cite news |url=http://www.camdennewjournal.co.uk/archive/n220503_10.htm|title=Youngest mayor but Tories cry foul|location=Camden|newspaper=Camden New Journal|date=May 2003|access-date=1 February 2014}}</ref> young people from white and Asian communities together in the borough,<ref name="kilburntimes">{{cite news |last=Davies|first=Will|url=http://www.kilburntimes.co.uk/news/first_muslim_labour_leader_1_603345|title=First Muslim Labour leader|location=Kilburn|newspaper=Kilburn Times|date=12 May 2009|access-date=1 February 2014}}</ref> through their common interest in football, diverting them away from racism, crime and conflict.<ref name="camdennewjournal4"/>
While working as an assistant in a clothes shop in Kentish Town, Ali's manager advised him to better himself. Ali moved on to work for British Telecom, which is where he acquired his nickname "Nash".<ref name="camdennewjournal4"/> In 1995, he left British Telecom and joined King's Cross Brunswick Neighbourhood Association as a trainee youth worker. Ali acquired his distance-learning degree from the YMCA George Williams College while working full-time.<ref name="camdennewjournal4"/>
==Political career== Since May 1993, Ali has been a Labour Party member.<ref name="camdenlabour2">{{cite news |url=http://www.camdenlabour.org.uk/ali-to-ko-town-hall-coalition/|title=Ali to KO Town Hall coalition|location=Camden|publisher=Camden Labour|date=8 May 2009|access-date=1 February 2014}}</ref> After his elder brother, Sitar, encouraged him to stand for the council,<ref name="camdennewjournal4"/> in May 2002, in the Camden London Borough Council election, he was elected councillor for the Regent's Park ward. In May 2003,<ref name="camdennewjournal4"/> at the age of 34,<ref name="kentishtowner"/> Ali became Mayor of Camden<ref name="camdenlabour1"/> and the youngest mayor in the country,<ref name="camdennewjournal4"/> as well as the UK's first Bangladeshi and first Muslim mayor.<ref name="kentishtowner"/> He was succeeded by being Harriet Garland the following year.<ref name="camdennewjournal3">{{cite news|last=Osley|first=Richard|url=http://www.camdennewjournal.co.uk/2004%20archive/200504/n200504_9.htm|title=Pact fails to prise mayoral chain from Labour's hold|location=Camden|newspaper=Camden New Journal|date=May 2004|access-date=1 December 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923200052/http://www.camdennewjournal.co.uk/2004%20archive/200504/n200504_9.htm|archive-date=23 September 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref> In May 2004, he became Executive Member for Community Engagement. Ali was also the first Bangladeshi Executive Member and the first Bangladeshi Leader of the Labour Group and Camden Council.
In 1995, he joined the King's Cross Brunswick Neighbourhood Association charity<ref name="cypnow"/> and has been Executive Director since January 2001. Since 2002, he been councillor for Regent's Park ward, with a focus on diverting young people away from crime and conflict.<ref name="kentishtowner">{{cite news |url=http://www.kentishtowner.co.uk/2013/08/27/ich-bin-kentishtowner-nasim-ali-councillor|title=Ich Bin Kentishtowner: Nasim Ali, Councillor|location=Kentish Town|publisher=Kentishtowner|date=27 August 2013|access-date=1 February 2014}}</ref>
Ali was leader of the Labour Group between 2009 and 2012.<ref name="camdenlabour1"/> In May 2009, he was selected to lead the party in the 2010 local elections, becoming Labour's first Muslim leader.<ref name="kilburntimes"/> In May 2010, he led Labour to victory in the local council elections for Camden Council, defeating the borough's Liberal Democrats/Conservative coalition.<ref name="kentishtowner"/><ref name="hamhigh">{{cite news |last=Ferguson|first=Kate|url=http://www.hamhigh.co.uk/news/camden_council_labour_leader_nash_ali_quits_after_challenge_against_him_1_1237101|title=Camden Council Labour leader Nash Ali quits after challenge against him|location=Hampstead and Highgate|publisher=Hampstead and Highgate Express|date=14 March 2012|access-date=1 February 2014}}</ref> Ali became leader of Camden Council from May 2010 until standing down in May 2012.<ref name="camdenlabour1"/>
In March 2012, he announced he would be standing down as leader of Camden Council in May after his regeneration chief, Cllr Sarah Hayward, confirmed she would stand against him for the post at Labour's annual meeting in May.<ref name="hamhigh"/><ref name="camdennewjournal5">{{cite news |last=Osley|first=Richard|url=http://www.camdennewjournal.com/news/2012/mar/council-leader-nash-ali-resigns-after-leadership-challenge|title=Council leader Nash Ali resigns after leadership challenge|location=Camden|newspaper=Camden New Journal|date=13 March 2012|access-date=1 February 2014}}</ref> In March 2012, he became Cabinet Member for Young People.<ref name="camdenlabour1"/>
In May 2022, Ali became Mayor of Camden for a second time.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Councillor Nasim Ali OBE is Mayor of Camden |url=https://news.camden.gov.uk/councillor-nasim-ali-obe-is-mayor-of-camden/ |access-date=2022-06-24 |website=The London Borough of Camden Council |language=en}}</ref>
==Community work== Since 2001, Ali has been the Executive Director of the King's Cross Brunswick Neighbourhood Association. He was also the Chair of the Healthy Families Partnership at King's Cross, Board member of the West Euston Partnership (WEP),<ref name="camdenlabour1"/> Chair of the WEP Planning Working Group<ref name="bbwhoswho11"/> and on the executive board of the Community Empowerment Network. He also chaired the Camden Bangladesh Mela Committee.<ref name="camdenlabour1"/>
He was the Cabinet Member for Community Safety following the London bombings on 7 July 2005.<ref name="camdennewjournal6">{{cite news |last1=Carrier|first1=Dan|last2=Hinton|first2=Josie|url=http://www.camdennewjournal.com/news/2011/jan/new-year-honours-list-charity-workers-actor-shoe-designer-and-councillor-among-those-s|title=NEW YEAR HONOURS LIST – Charity workers, actor, shoe designer and councillor among those selected|location=Camden|newspaper=Camden New Journal|date=6 January 2011|access-date=1 February 2014}}</ref> He was also an advisor to the Metropolitan Police Service and The Prince's Trust,<ref name="bbwhoswho11"/> and a Governor for Westminster Kingsway College.<ref name="camdenlabour1"/> and school governor of South Camden Community School now known as Regent High School from 1998 to 2006 and Netley Primary School from 2006 to 2011.
Ali has worked with the British High Commissioner in Bangladesh to promote the interests of Bangladeshis who live in Camden or who wish to visit the UK. In 2007, Ali arranged a reception for Professor Muhammad Yunus to celebrate his award of the Nobel Peace Prize.<ref name="camdenlabour1"/>
==Awards and recognition== In 1998, Ali was awarded one of the first Camden Good Citizen Awards for his work in diverting young people away from crime, drugs and conflict.<ref name="cypnow"/><ref name="camdennewjournal1"/> He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2011 New Year Honours for services to local government.<ref name="kentishtowner"/><ref name=UK>United Kingdom: {{London Gazette|issue=59647|date=31 December 2010|pages=8|supp=1}}</ref>
==Personal life== Since 1984, Ali has lived in Camden.<ref name="cypnow"/> At the time he first served as Mayor of Camden, he was married to Amanda Ali.<ref name="camdennewjournal2">{{cite news |date=December 2003 |title=Dynamite beats jinx in lighting switch on |newspaper=Camden New Journal |location=Camden |url=http://www.camdennewjournal.co.uk/archive/f111203_4.htm |url-status=dead |access-date=1 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040315203044/https://www.camdennewjournal.co.uk/archive/f111203_4.htm |archive-date=15 March 2004}}</ref> He lives in Haverstock, London<ref name="camdennewjournal4"/> with his wife, two sons, Rio <ref name="camdennewjournal2"/> and Zachariah and daughter Lily.<ref name="camdennewjournal4"/> Two of his sons were born in the Royal Free Hospital and one at home.<ref name="kentishtowner"/> {{As of|2022|May}}, he is married to Lina Choudhury, who will be his Mayoress during his second term as Mayor of Camden.<ref name=":0" />
Ali is a Muslim<ref name="camdennewjournal4"/> and a Liverpool Football Club fan.
==See also== *British Bangladeshi *List of British Bangladeshis *List of ethnic minority politicians in the United Kingdom
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{Twitter}} *[http://democracy.camden.gov.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=134 Nasim Ali] on Camden Council *[http://www.wearecamden.org/webchat-with-the-leader/ Camden talking with the Leader]. ''We are Camden'' *Ali, Nasim. [http://www.camdenreview.com/node/8844 Resist Cameron's 'right' revolution]. ''Camden Review''. 24 February 2011 *Talbot, Sophie. {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20130508175937/http://kingscrossenvironment.com/2012/01/31/camden-council-leader-in-live-web-chat/ Camden Council Leader in live web chat]}}. ''Kings Cross Environment''. 31 January 2012 *[http://www.kentishtowner.co.uk/2013/08/27/ich-bin-kentishtowner-nasim-ali-councillor/ Ich Bin Kentishtowner: Nasim Ali, Councillor]. ''Kentishtower''. 27 August 2013
{{S-start}} {{S-civ}} {{Succession box | title = Mayor of Camden | years = 14 May 2003 – 13 May 2004 | before = Judith Pattison | after = Harriet Garland }} {{S-end}}
{{Leaders of Camden Council}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ali, Nasim}} Category:1969 births Category:Living people Category:Bangladeshi Muslims Category:British Muslims Category:Bangladeshi emigrants to England Category:Naturalised citizens of the United Kingdom Category:Labour Party (UK) councillors Category:Councillors in the London Borough of Camden Category:Mayors of places in Greater London Category:School governors Category:People from Sylhet Category:Politicians from Sylhet Division Category:People from Kentish Town Category:Politicians from the London Borough of Camden Category:Alumni of the University of Kent Category:Bangladeshi Officers of the Order of the British Empire Category:People educated at Regent High School Category:Leaders of local authorities in London Category:Labour Party (UK) mayors