Asian World managed to catch the future political mite Cllr WaseemZaffer of Lozells and EastHandsworth ward, for chit chat to find out why he is an in demand councillor, someone who goes beyond the call of duty to fulfil his obligations to his constituents and can’t help but help everyone and anyone.
His good work has not gone without recognition as to his astonishment at the time he had received a letter from ten Downing Street, informing him that he has been put forward for a MBE (which he then received) and if that was not surprise enough he won person of the year for the region from the Chamberlin files. As well as being a full-time councillor and sitting on a scrutiny community Cllr WaseemZaffer is also a man of the law as a magistrate.
The 32 year old loyal Brummie was born to Kashmiri parents in one of the regions most deprived areas Lozells, a ward he is very proud to be associated with, after attending Joseph Chamberlin collage, he went to university to study for a logistics degree however politics was his destiny as he told Asian World as he did not follow the path of logistics after graduating, he instead became involved in community work and started building youth projects, he said“I am a chair of scrutiny committee social cohesion and community safety committee representing an inner city ward which has substantial issues takes up a lot of my time”. He has now only been acouncillor for two years however his success and knowledge base can seem as if he has been in his present post for much longer.
Why did you want to enter politics? 
I grew a passion for supporting the community and supporting positive change.
I then began to understand how you can influence change, and how to holding elected members to account.
I faced some barriers but was encouraged by other councillors and residents
I was in America for the last presidency elections and I was talking to the young black people there and it is the minority groups who have the need that legacy left by their elders to move forward and there is a young lad from my area who has seen what I have done and wants to enter politics. I think the legacy in minority areas is missing, is passing the baton on.
Where you approached by the labour party to stand for councilors?
I was not approached I put myself forward, having been involved in the community work for a number of years I was not best happy with what I saw so I thought I should take it one step further and enter politics
I joined the labour party when I was 15 years of age, from a very early age I was campaigning for them when I was 8 years I was leafleting for labour in exchange for balloon and sticker
Why represent and stand for councillor in Lozells?
I am a Lozells boy and have always lived in the area.
The perception of Handsworth and lozells is incredibly negative, elective members are there to be sales men and woman for their areas.
Sell Lozells to the Asian World Readers?
It’s the most cohesive vibrant energetic in the world the social asset in Lozells is huge.
I would consider myself as salesman for lozells
The Lunar men are three men that lived in Lozells and East Handworth such asMatthew BoultonJames Watt and Joseph chamberlin.
There is a lot of history in Lozells and Handsworth for example they have Puget buildings the architect was the same person who built parliament.
Aston Villa most famous president William McGregor was the person who wrote a letter asking football clubs to get together and form a league he then went on to write the constitution of the football league that they abide by today, not many people now that.
We found the industrial revolution that shaped the world today.
One project you are actively involved in?
We have the Lozells and Handsworthheritage tour we set up, which was not received with great support as people where saying why would you do that, as they do not understand what Lozells and Handsworth have to offer.
We have trained up local people to be tour guides for the heritage tour.
Legacy West Midlands organised working with south and city Birmingham attracted some lottery funds had some historians train up tour guides
If you came into a huge pot of money would you live in Lozells?
Yes I would and invest the money in Aston villa football club.
High profile people from lozells?
Next Lord Mayor is from Lozells.
South and city collage Principle, Ashley Blake is a Lozells boys
And Apache Indian who comes back and visits regularly.
It is a challenge to keep people in Lozells when they become successful.
I am trying toget these people to come into the local schools so show them they were from Lozells and hopefully it will raise their aspiration.
What’s the future for Cllr Waseem MP?
I take each day as it comes; if the opportunity came along I will consider it
There is still a lot of learning for me to do I believe in lifelong learning.
It’s about understanding the needs of the people on the ground like welfare reform like understanding what that young single mother in Nechelles is suffering from.
Some people like David Cameron is career politicians and don’t understand what’s going on the ground level.
What are you’re feeling about Islamapobia?
The racist extremist elements some people call it the far right, is about Muslims today not like in the past when it was about black and minority groups.
I requested a ban for the EDL and the home secretary refused because of regulation.
I took on Tommy Robinson in live media debates.
Hate crimes against Muslims arerising we are working very closely with Bob Jones to monitor this.
I am working on getting faith hate crime registered which is not registered at all then we can see which community is affected moreso.
There are people from 170 nationalities who make up Birmingham so it is a challenge.
What are you doing to combat forced marriages?
It is important to understand between a forced marriage and arranged marriagewhich can be confused in the media. Forced marriage both in BritishandIslamic law it is illegal
Parents need to understandit does not just affect the two people involved but people associated with those two people and when the marriage break downs its affects everyone.
I am working on promoting the fact that forced marriage is illegal.
What are you’re feeling about Terrorism?
We’ve had in Birmingham about two dozen terrorist convictions with more than over 200,000 strong Muslim community is not a big problem statistically, there are individuals who have been miss-taught versions of Islam which is wrong and issues with mental health is a issues with some of these people.
The Muslim community in Birmingham has stood up and condemned them and disowned them
AnjumChaudhry was asked to leave on the Coventry road by local men, we did not need the police we did it ourselves.
Child Sex Grooming within the Pakistani community?
It is not a cultural issue, Jimmy Savile was not Pakistani.
These are sick individuals and I totally condemn what they are doing whatever community they come from they are not welcome it’s better to have them locked up
The profile given in the media about theses convictions is far greater than the real across the board statistically.
When Asian men groom white girls divides community
I feel privileged I have not had to do any work on it as it is not a big issue in my city
One legacy you would like to leave in Lozells and Birmingham?
Change the perception of Lozells it’s a fantastic and vibrant area
In terms of the city I would have really like to have contributed to child poverty.
