Councillor Akhtar Zaman becomes Bolton’s first Muslim Mayor

Councillor Akhtar Zaman and his wife Nargis Zaman

Councillor Akhtar Zaman has made history by becoming Bolton’s first ever Muslim mayor and the first person of South Asian background to be appointed to the position.

The ceremony was nothing short of an emotional one for Councillor Zaman as he took over the role from Mayor Councillor Linda Thomas and remembered his long journey from a small village in Pakistan.

During his speech Councillor Zaman, who was recommended by his close friend Council leader Martyn Cox, thanked his father by quoting a beautiful line from a poem his father had sent to him when he was a young boy. He also expressed gratitude to his mother as well as his uncles who served in the British Indian Army during the colonial rule.

Councillor Zaman arrived in Bolton when he was 18 and since then has made the town his home with his wife, children and grandchildren. He has worked in various voluntary and public sector roles and made huge contributions to his community.