As the first-ever female to become president of a mosque in the United Kingdom on Wightman Road in Hornsey (also known as the London Islamic Cultural Society) and be elected chairperson of the North London Council of Mosques, Bibi was invited by the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to this reception, which celebrated glass ceiling-breaking and pioneering women in their respective fields.
The Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, were also in attendance at this event alongside Great Britain’s two-time Olympic gold medallist, Dame Kelly Holmes, and Jessikah Inaba – the UK’s inaugural blind, Black female barrister.
Bibi, who is also the chairperson of Haringey’s Multi-Faith Forum, said:
I’m very honoured that my roles as both the female president of a mosque and a community leader have been brought to the attention of the Prime Minister.
I believe that it’s important to show our women and girls that ‘anything is possible – when we trust the Almighty.’ My deepest, heartfelt thanks go out to the person who nominated me.
Haringey Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, Cllr Ajda Ovat, said:
Bibi is a trailblazer in her own right within Haringey and her MBE is a testament to her contribution so far.
It’s only right and fitting then that she should be recognised by the Prime Minister among the most aspirational and inspirational women in the entire country with this International Women’s Day reception at 10 Downing Street. Very well done Bibi!
Everyone at Haringey Council congratulates Bibi on this well-deserved recognition and thanks her for her continued and sterling contribution to community life here in Haringey.
