Mayor of Slough reflects on his year in office as he hangs up the chains

Having hung up his mayoral chains, Cllr Mohammed Rasib says he has loved serving the people of Slough.

Cllr Rasib, who has been a councillor since 2006, officially ended his year of mayoral service on Tuesday.

Speaking to the Express about his mayorship, he said he was particularly proud of Slough’s many cultural communities and stressed the importance of celebrating diversity.

Cllr Rasib, who became the president of Slough’s ‘Pakistani Welfare Association’ in 1964 after moving to the borough from Birmingham in 1963, added: “We see people here from India, Pakistan, America, Holland - wherever they’re from they’re always welcome here.

“I believe in community cohesion, there’s no time for hate. We have to love each other, no matter what religion.”

Cllr Rasib is full of admiration for the work done by the borough’s charities, saying: “One of my favourite parts of the job was seeing Slough’s charity organisations.

“They’re doing a wonderful job and I always have a soft corner in my heart for them.

“The way some of them look after Slough’s disabled people is a wonderful thing.

“What’s also given me great pleasure is the youngsters in our schools.

“I’m proud of them and I can say our younger generation are wonderful people, they will do a better job than us.”

The former grocery store owner has kept busy with his role as councillor for the Farnham ward while serving as mayor and says that his additional title has helped him better represent the people of Slough.

“My expectation was that the role of mayor would help me as a councillor and it has,” he said.

“I’ve connected with people more because as a councillor you only have your own ward, when you’re the mayor you’ve got the whole of Slough.”

During his year in the ceremonial role the Labour councillor has enjoyed being a part of a variety of events in the town.

These have included opening new education and community facilities, coming face-to-face with the armed forces and being a part of the borough’s remembrance services.

Cllr Rasib says he’s more interested in doing his job as a public servant than basking in the limelight.

“I don’t believe in big power politics and I don’t believe in photo opportunities,” he said.

“I just want to work for the people and the local community.”