Special Events

Diane Abbott MP joins Bangla to celebrate its 20th Anniversary

Picture: From left - Tajul Islam ( Board Member,  Ruth George, (Vice Chair), MA Nazim Rahman ( Chair) , Tom Dacey ( CEO Southern Housing Group), Zillur Rahman (Tenant Board member), Diane Abbott MP, Moosa Bhamjee ( Bangla Treasurer) , Lara Oyedele (Chair BME National) Kate Dodsworth (Assistant Director NHF) Bashir Uddin (Bangla Director) Faruk Miah (Former Bangla Chair)   

On 22 September 2011, Diane Abbott, MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington along with many other dignitaries from the housing sector joined Bangla Board members and staff to celebrate 20 years of helping the local community.

Bangla Housing Association was formed in 1991 to help tackle overcrowding and poor housing conditions among London’s Bengali community. Today the association provides  affordable homes for those in need,  managing 239 properties for 13 social landlords  in Hackney, Islington and Waltham Forest and providing  housing for other black and minority ethnic (BME) tenants and white British tenants.

“People forget that 25 years ago there was a lot of discrimination against black and minority ethnic people in housing. Organisations like Bangla showed the way,” said Diane Abbott, “They’ve provided good quality housing for ethnic minorities and were great examples of organisations where BME people were in leadership.

Bangla tenants’ children entertained the guests with a thrilling performance on respect and building bridges between Neighbours at the event in Navarino Mansions Tenants Hall on Dalston Lane. The play was written and directed by Bangla tenant Runa Begum. 

Lara Oyedele, chair of BME National, said that associations like Bangla work hard towards integrating local communities

“For example, Bangla organised tenants’ English-language classes so that those that came here unable to speak English now participate fully in society.

“That’s the key thing about community cohesion; being able to communicate with and understand the people around you, without losing your cultural identity and roots.”

Bangla works in partnership with 13 registered housing providers and is a member of the North River Alliance, a collective that works on development and regeneration programmes in Barnet, Enfield, Hackney, Haringey, Islington, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest.

“Often, the word ‘partnership’ is abused in all walks of life,” said guest speaker Tom Dacey, CEO of Southern Housing Group. “We find Bangla one of the easiest partners to work with. It’s a very open and very collaborative organisation. I hope that our relationship continues to thrive in the future.”

Five-A-Side Football

Picture: The winning team from last year’s competition

This year’s five-a-side football competition for youths and children aged 15-18 years will be held at:

Venue: Kings Hall Leisure Centre, 39 Lower Clapton Road, Hackney, London E5

Date: Tuesday 25th Oct. 2011

Time: 2.00pm to 4.00pm 

To enter your team and for further information please contact Kaisar Miah at Bangla office on 020 8985 1124 or Email: kaisar@banglaha.org.uk