At the request of parents of children who attend Longdean School, MWA held a meeting on Tuesday 12th June 2007 with a panel representing the school which included the headteacher, Mr Rhodri Bryant, regarding the school uniform for Pakistani and Kashmiri girls. The meeting provided a channel for the parents to voice their concerns in relation to a letter they received from the school informing of proposed changes to the school uniform for Muslim Pakistani and Kashmiri girls. The lack of consultation with parents effected by such proposed changes as well the actual proposed changes to the uniform were discussed during the meeting. Agreement was reached between the effected parents and the school for a customized uniform for these girls that both respects their cultural sensitivities as well the school uniform. Mr Nawaz who attended the meeting with Mr Khan, on behalf of MWA said, “We are very happy for the parents of the children who would have been effected by the proposed changes. Both sides worked hard to reach a compromise that respects cultural diversity and the right of the school to have a uniform for their students. Going forward and as agreed at the meeting, it is key that we maintain and develop dialogue and ensure that due and proper consultation is provided for at all times.”

Sunday the 4th of March saw the inauguration ceremony of the recently elected committee of the Hemel Hempstead Muslim Welfare Association (MWA). A large audience comprising many members from the local Muslim community witnessed the committee members undertake their oaths and pledge to serve the MWA to the best of their abilities. A number of distinguished guests, including Janice Marshall Cllr, Peter Huffer from the Hemel Hempstead Police, Reverend Lawson, Mayor Farooq Qureshi and Barrister Abid Hussain were in attendance and they offered their congratulations in turn.

Janice Marshall Cllr from the Conservative Party read out a statement from MP Michael Penning who was unable to attend the proceedings due to a prior engagement. The MP wished the new committee all the best and emphasised his willingness to work together with them to achieve many of their key objectives, some of which were outlined on the day by Aftab Nawaz, the President of the Association. Ayfer Orhan from the Labour party also sent a message and there were a series of short speeches from some of the invited guests, such as Mayor Farooq Qureshi who expressed his delight at seeing such a gathering and praised the significant turnout from all members of the community, particularly the women.

Barrister Abid Hussain stole the show with an address reminding everyone of the need to work collectively and engage with the wider society, so that many common issues and problems could be resolved. Barrister Hussain expressed his hope that the MWA would be successful in its endeavours and noted the blend of experience and youth to be found in the new committee. Interspersing his speech with anecdotes in the native Punjabi language for the benefit of those from the elder generation present in the audience, he emphasised the importance of building bridges with all sections of Hemel’s community, especially in light of the current political climate, to show both Muslims and the Islamic faith in the correct light. Statutory bodies are a significant resource, said Mr. Nawaz, and the MWA’s intentions to work more closely with them in future was fundamental to creating and maintaining a better harmony and balance in the society at large.

Reverend Lawson spoke about his ongoing efforts at dialogue between different communities and looked forward to joint initiatives with the MWA. Earlier in the proceedings the election commissioners, Zafar Iqbal and Arib Khan, tasked with ensuring a free and fair election, provided a summary of the keenly contested election process and requested everyone’s support for the new committee. The outgoing President of the MWA, Hanif Khan, rounded off the event with his hope that the MWA would be able to serve the community aptly and would not only build on it’s achievements so far, but would prove to be more dynamic and even more successful.

Attendees had the opportunity to mingle as the ceremony came to a close with drinks and snacks being served. According to Aftab Nawaz, the committee had already been working hard in a number of key areas, and were looking forward to continuing and multiplying their efforts with the active involvement and participation from all the community.

Members of the Muslim Welfare Association of Hemel Hempstead (MWA) cast their votes in a keenly contested election held on the 4th of February. The results of the elections determined the makeup of the Associations new committee, and following a period of intense campaigning and a solid turnout on the day of the ballot, Aftab Nawaz was elected as the new President.

Mr. Nawaz is one of the many relatively young faces comprising the new committee, as Hemel's Muslim community overwhelmingly turned to its youth and voted in favour of a fresh, and arguably long overdue, approach.

Outlining the MWA's twin objectives of providing support for Muslim families suffering bereavement vis-à-vis the Funeral Service and engaging with the local council to procure financial backing for community projects and initiatives, Aftab Nawaz said "The Funeral Service has previously been well managed and has immensely benefited local Muslims, however the securing of funding from the Council is a key area that needs greater focus and new ideas if we are to secure the rights due to the community".

Mr. Nawaz explained how plans for practical changes to address the requirements of Hemel's Muslim community had already been laid, such as the intention to open a youth club and a day centre, and dialogue with the council and local MP in this regard continued to yield positive results.

Acknowledging the trust placed in the new committee Mr. Nawaz stated "We appreciate the support received from everyone throughout the election campaign and believe that the outcome is the right one. The mood of the community mirrors our own and we're confident that by working together, and with the MWA demonstrating a new dynamism, professionalism and approach, we can start to deliver very soon".

The inauguration ceremony for the new committee will take place on Sunday 4th March 2007 between the hours of 1:30 and 4:30 pm at Longdean School, Hemel Hempstead.