‘Mein Ajeeb Hoon! (I am Ajeeb !)’
Ishtiaq Ahmed
Bradford: “Mein Ajeeb Hoon! (I am Ajeeb !)” is a biography of one man’s relentless effort to rise above the ordinariness.
The biography of Mohammed Ajeeb CBE “ Mein Ajee Hoon!”, the first Muslim and non-white Lord Mayor of Bradford and, indeed, of Britain, the city affectionately referred to as ‘Little Pakistan’, was launched in Bradford on Sunday, 2nd February at an inaugural event organised by PM Promoters, the Bradford based arts and cultural organisation.
The book Mein Ajeeb Hoon! chronicles the life journey of Mohammed Ajeeb CBE. Narrated by Mohammed Ajeeb himself and authored by esteemed historian and travelogue writer. Yaqub Nizami, also from Bradford, the book offers a compelling insight into Mohammed Ajeeb’s remarkable life and his achievements.
The event also featured a short film on the life journey of Mohammed Ajeeb produced by our own Asad Zia Hassan.
The evening concluded with an engaging Q&A session with Mohammed Ajeeb, allowing attendees to gain further insights into his inspiring journey.
The title “I Am Ajeeb” is both captivating and profoundly fitting, encapsulating the remarkable and astonishing dimensions of Ajeeb’s vast personality. His life is thrilling yet transparent, astonishing yet simple, and above all, deeply inspiring.
Capturing someone’s life story and presenting it with fidelity and accuracy in written form is no small feat. It demands profound devotion and an unwavering commitment to the essence of the subject’s life.
This challenge becomes even greater when the narrator himself is not only a multifaceted personality but also possesses a deep mastery of the written word. Mr. Yaqoob Nizami has embraced this responsibility with exceptional diligence and sincerity.
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Explaining the purpose of the book, Yaqoob Nizami writes: “The objective of writing this book is to let the younger generation know about the challenges our first generation faced in Britain.”.
Mohammad Ajeeb’s life reflects the struggles of immigrants in Britain, particularly those from Pakistan and Kashmir, who arrived seeking better economic opportunities. While they found avenues for earning a livelihood, they also faced racism and prejudice.
In Pakistan, especially among the upper classes whose connection to Britain mostly remains limited to tourism or higher education, there exists a romanticised perception of life in Britain. Ajeeb’s biography dismantles many such myths and draws attention to the harsh realities that immigrants faced.
We also learn from the book about Mohammad Ajeeb’s life being comprehensive and balanced. He finds that he is not only a successful politician, professional, and dynamic community leader but also an exemplary husband, a loving father, a compassionate family member, and a loyal friend with an extensive social circle. All these aspects of his personality coexist harmoniously, without any contradictions.
On his arrival in the UK, Muhammad Ajeeb quickly recognised the deep-rooted racial prejudice against immigrants in British society. Instead of succumbing to this discrimination, he actively aligned himself with organisations that opposed such biases.
He acknowledges, however, that even within these organizations such as trade unions that were ostensibly committed to justice and the betterment of the working classes, prejudice against immigrants was prevalent.
Many immigrants choose to accept these conditions, reasoning that they were in the UK temporarily to earn a livelihood before returning to their homelands. For them, avoiding unnecessary conflict seemed more practical, focusing solely on work to expedite their return.
It is a natural tendency for most individuals to compromise with their circumstances. However, a few possess an inherent resilience and capacity to confront challenges.
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Muhammad Ajeeb was one such individual. Instead of feeling disheartened by the discriminatory attitudes in British society, he found them to be a catalyst that further fuelled his determination. With renewed vigour and maturity, he pushed forward.
Muhammad Ajeeb’s commitment to human rights and justice was deeply rooted in his upbringing. From a young age, he had witnessed the injustices of the Dogra regime and British colonial rule, as well as the betrayal of Kashmiri rights during the partition of India.
The untimely death of his mother in his childhood further heightened his sensitivity, while his father’s values of integrity, honesty, and hard work became an enduring part of his character.
Despite the love and care of his family, the prejudices, conflicts, and injustices he observed in society left a profound impact on him, shaping his worldview and instilling in him a lifelong commitment to justice and human rights. These experiences became the foundation of his activism in the UK.
Over the past four decades, Muhammad Ajeeb has mentored and inspired many individuals, creating a dynamic network of leaders. Today, many of them are playing prominent roles in various fields such as politics, education, culture, and public welfare. This will remain his lasting legacy.
I extend my gratitude to Yaqoob Nizami for gifting us the life story of Mohammad Ajeeb in the form of a book, thus preserving this important part of our national heritage and making it a means to pass it on to future generations.
