Birmingham Swears In First Muslim Mayor, Opens Council Session with Quran Verse

Birmingham, Britain’s second-largest city, began a council session with a verse from the Quran for the first time as Zaker Chaudhri was sworn in as the city’s first Muslim mayor. Elected from the Liberal Democrat Party, Chaudhri also became the first Muslim mayor to hold the post in the country’s history. Chaudhri, who is of Pakistani origin, came to Britain in 1969 and has served in local government since 2006. In his remarks, he said Birmingham had opened its doors to him at a young age and that he wanted to represent all residents.