The chairman of Birmingham’s Eid Mela has been replaced weeks before it takes place over an alleged row with the council over flying the Palestine flag.
The “Big John’s Eid Mela”, with crowds of more than 20,000 people, is Britain’s largest festival of Muslim culture and takes place in Cannon Hill Park on Sunday 17 August.
Labour Councillor Majid Mahmood (Hodge Hill) was unexpectedly ditched as chairman of the organising committee a fortnight ago.
He was replaced by colleague, Labour Councillor Zafar Iqbal (South Yardley) who has no time to make any impact on the event and is already looking ahead to next year.
Council sources are speculating that Cllr Mahmood angered the council leader, Sir Albert Bore when he sent an email, copied to all 120 councillors, calling for the Palestine flag to be raised above the Council House as an act of support for the people of Gaza.
His request was refused as it is against council “protocol”, but Cllr Mahmood instead co-organised a pro-Palestine protest, complete with giant flag in Victoria Square on Saturday 2 August.
But council bosses have insisted that there is nothing suspicious in his replacement, it was just part of a wider shake up of council committees and responsibilities following the annual meeting in June. Several other members of the organising committee were also changed.
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Council Deputy Leader Ian Ward said: “This has nothing to do with Gaza. We always make a fresh round of council appointments following the elections and annual meeting and this year, due to some hold ups in other areas, it was only approved at the last Cabinet meeting.”
Asked why they had made the change with immediate effect rather than defer it until September he replied: “I admit it is not ideal timing with regard to the Eid Mela.”
In fact, Cllr Iqbal was also present at several Gaza protests. He said: “I do not think Gaza has anything to do with it. I was asked to take over and said yes, just as I was given a new scrutiny to chair this year. You would have to ask Councillor Ward why they chose me.”
He added that the committee is effectively taking over for the 2015 event. “Everything is in already place for this year and the council’s events staff are focussed on delivering the event as they have for many years.”
Cllr Mahmood refused to comment on his deselection.
Preston City Council and Bradford Council raised the Palestinian flag.
Tower Hamlets’ mayor Lutfur Rahman faced criticism after he ordered the Palestine flag to be flown over the town hall in solidarity with Gaza. It was later ripped down.
1,940 Palestinians (mainly civilians, women and children) died and more than 10,000 wounded since the conflict started.
More than 80 Israelis (mainly soldiers) have been killed since the launch of Operation Protective Edge on July 8th.
The Muslim festival of Eid ul-Fitr, which marked the end of the holy month of Ramadan took place on Monday 28th July.
