Councillor Aasim Rashid is the new Mayor of Rochdale

Date published: 21 May 2021

The borough finally welcomed its new mayor this week, as Councillor Aasim Rashid was sworn in to office during a ceremony at Middleton Arena on Wednesday (19 May).

His wait to become Mayor was unusually long - because of the Covid-19 restrictions last May the council didn’t meet to elect a new Mayor and Councillor Billy Sheerin stayed in post for an extended two-year term.

The evening was attended by former mayors, deputy lieutenants, members of parliament as well as other distinguished guests as the departing mayor, Councillor Billy Sheerin, handed over the chain of office.

The socially distanced event was staged in Middleton as Rochdale Town Hall remains closed for refurbishment.

The new mayor said he was very proud: "It will be a privilege to represent the council as mayor and I thank all my colleagues who have put their trust in me.

“We are both very much looking forward to the year ahead as life hopefully continues to safely and cautiously return to some sort of normality.

“We will do all we can to raise as much money for my chosen charities as possible and can’t wait to get started.”

He added: “I am really feeling blessed and grateful to all my friends, colleagues and residents who elected me as Mayor of Rochdale. I look forward to working with local charities as Rochdale is a goldmine of a multicultural society, where we live in unity and diversity.”

The Mayor’s Charity Appeal for 2021/22 will be raising funds for Parkinsons UK, (Heywood), Springhill Hospice, Petrus (Rochdale), Jolly Josh (Middleton) and Rochdale Shopmobility.

Councillor Rashid moved to Rochdale in 2001 and is a passionate and dedicated community worker, as well as a strong campaigner of integration and an even stronger voice for equality, social justice and multicultural rights.

His wife, Mayoress Rifit Rashid, was born and raised in Rochdale and has obtained a degree in business and tourism from the University of Bolton. A dedicated mother to their three children, she balances her family and community work with her role as director of a retail company.

The deputy mayor for the next twelve months will be Councillor Ali Ahmed and the deputy mayoress his wife, Syeda Farjana Begum. Their consort will be Councillor Sultan Ali.

The retiring mayor, Councillor Billy Sheerin said: “When I stood before you as the new mayor in May 2019, none of us had any idea as to what was coming over the horizon. My extended term of office has certainly been one of two halves.

“But despite all the restrictions that we have had to work under we are honoured and proud of the work that we have witnessed in every corner of our diverse and proud community. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank all who organised or sponsored events, donated raffle prizes or made donations to my charities.

“I have enjoyed such amazing support from so many people, of which I am truly thankful. As a boy growing up in Castleton and being so excited when the mayor visited my primary school, I never thought that one day that would be me.

“We wish Aasim and Rifit a really successful year and I am sure it will have been well worth the wait.” 

He also thanked the borough’s volunteers for all the work he has seen them do, and council officers who have supported him and the mayoress.

Chief executive Steve Rumbelow, presented a past mayors’ medallion to Councillor Sheerin.

The new mayor’s children Ali and Umar Rashid read a blessing towards the end of the ceremony.

Musical entertainment during the ceremony was organised by Rochdale Music Service and included performances by Sam Ewens.