Nusrat Ghani Becomes First Muslim Woman Minister to Speak in Parliament
If you’ve been keeping up to date with Parliamentary proceedings this week which, let’s face it, you probably have, you will have been witness to a moment of history.
Nusrat Ghani, the recently appointed Transport Minister, became the first Muslim woman minister to speak in Parliament when she stood at the dispatch box to answer questions about station access for disabled people.
Ms Ghani, 45, has been MP for Wealden since 2015. A Conservative, she was born in Kashmir.
Following Ghani’s historic moment, Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said: ‘I congratulate her – I’m very proud to sit alongside her.’
Ms Ghani worked for various charities and the BBC World Service before she first stood as a Conservative Party candidate in Birmingham in the 2010 general election.
After achieving her milestone, Ghani celebrated by thanking her colleagues on Twitter:
Made my debut as @transportgovuk Minister and made a bit of history as the first female Muslim Minister to speak from the House of Commons dispatch box. Supported by wonderful colleagues Chris Grayling, @JoJohnsonUK & @Jesse_Norman @Conservatives pic.twitter.com/CwkDIPY5xX
— Nusrat Ghani MP (@Nus_Ghani) January 18, 2018
We feel we are as well placed as anyone to predict which Muslims will make a splash at some point in the future.
Pride represents an attitude we should all hold: One of openness, inclusion and - perhaps most importantly - a determination to have a really good time.
Earlier this month, the rejuvenation of the library reached another important milestone: an estimated 4,000 people attended a book festival at the site.
