Former tea merchant Robert Stanley may have appeared an unremarkable figure in Victorian society but he could have created a little bit of history - as the country's first Muslim mayor.And he has amazed a present-day descendant who has also converted to Islam. Robert's political life was well documented as mayor of Stalybridge between 1874 and 1876. He held the now-defunct title of alderman between 1874 and 1880 and was a councillor in Dukinfield and Stalybridge. His change of faith was discovered by Robert's great, great, great grandson Steven Longden, 39, and his father Brian as they delved into family history. It emerged that Robert had converted to Islam and may have been the first Muslim mayor. Known as Robert Reschid Stanley he was one of the most influential members of Manchester's then 40-strong Muslim community. A campaign backed by religious leaders and politicians is underway to honour him with a blue plaque at the entrance of Stalybridge Civic Hall.Steven Longden, also a Muslim convert, said the discovery is an inspiration for him, wife Rozina and sons Eesaa and Yaaseen.Mr Longden, who lives in Trafford, said: "It was a surprise to discover I had a relation who converted to Islam some time before me."When my dad found out he phoned me up and said `you had better sit down'. I was very surprised and pleased."We discovered the fact from a feature in a newsletter from 1907 and found out he was one of the most influential Muslims in the north west." Retired mechanic Brian Longden, 69, from Dukinfield, said: "We are very proud of him and want to share what we have found with the people of Stalybridge, Greater Manchester and the rest of the country." Stalybridge MP James Purnell and former Lord Mayor of Manchester Coun Afzal Khan have signed a letter to council officials to ask for the plaque. Manchester Evening News
Wednesday 25 February 2009
Campaign to commemorate the first Muslim mayor backed by Stalybridge religious leaders and politicians
Former tea merchant Robert Stanley may have appeared an unremarkable figure in Victorian society but he could have created a little bit of history - as the country's first Muslim mayor.And he has amazed a present-day descendant who has also converted to Islam. Robert's political life was well documented as mayor of Stalybridge between 1874 and 1876. He held the now-defunct title of alderman between 1874 and 1880 and was a councillor in Dukinfield and Stalybridge. His change of faith was discovered by Robert's great, great, great grandson Steven Longden, 39, and his father Brian as they delved into family history. It emerged that Robert had converted to Islam and may have been the first Muslim mayor. Known as Robert Reschid Stanley he was one of the most influential members of Manchester's then 40-strong Muslim community. A campaign backed by religious leaders and politicians is underway to honour him with a blue plaque at the entrance of Stalybridge Civic Hall.Steven Longden, also a Muslim convert, said the discovery is an inspiration for him, wife Rozina and sons Eesaa and Yaaseen.Mr Longden, who lives in Trafford, said: "It was a surprise to discover I had a relation who converted to Islam some time before me."When my dad found out he phoned me up and said `you had better sit down'. I was very surprised and pleased."We discovered the fact from a feature in a newsletter from 1907 and found out he was one of the most influential Muslims in the north west." Retired mechanic Brian Longden, 69, from Dukinfield, said: "We are very proud of him and want to share what we have found with the people of Stalybridge, Greater Manchester and the rest of the country." Stalybridge MP James Purnell and former Lord Mayor of Manchester Coun Afzal Khan have signed a letter to council officials to ask for the plaque. Manchester Evening News
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43 comments:
I would be interested to know this persons political affiliation.
Why should there be a blue plaque to someone who was Mayor of Stalybridge for two years in the 1870s? People like Purnell will do anything to keep on the good side of Muslims. It's Labour policy and will get much worse as they lose their traditional vote amongst the British working class and have to go grubbing for support wherever they can find it; no matter how detrimental this might be to Britain's interests.
Pathetic grovelling. I'd like to hear Purnell's justification for this plaque.
Yes master Muslim no master Muslim... Get f**ked.
We will be remembering John Bell one day he will soon be the leader of the council, a great leader.
After his poor performance at council on Tuesday it looks like his days are numbered,he wont be missed.
John Bell the hero of Tameside Toties.
The hero of Toties?
I expect Mr Purnell is even now having a word with the BBC to suggest that a docu-drama on this trailblazing figure would be a good way of promoting social cohesion through absorption into the Umma.
Excellent leader JB. The Conservative gains made and the Labour majorities reduced in the last local elections will be built on at the next. The Conservatives are the only real opposition to Labour both locally and nationally and if you were serious about removing them from office you would recognise that fact and support our endeavour.
John Bell is a leader with vision and the determination to win. When the Labour collapse begins JB will lead us to victory accross Tameside.
English Men awake to the reality of the coming storm.
National Survival, Heritage, it's up to a once proud nation to rise again. No shame in saying no to Islamification.
Unity under the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Check it out 18,473 people have viewed this video 11 February 2009.
In the shadow of my mistakes, I once again come to the foot of the cross. (Stop Islamification)
Christianity is based on Jesus' martyrdom. What if Pontius Pilate-who had power over life and death-had reduced his punishment to exile or sentenced him to a term of imprisonment. If you're saying Jesus was destined to die you are saying that Pontius Pilate, and by implication mankind, has no free will and no control over its' own destiny.
Jesus was brought into this life for on purpose.
Only the spirit of Jesus can help you fight the coming storm of Islamification. Jesus came into this life for one purpose.
Jesus was the Son of Man.
Johns campaign leadership skills were in full public view in the Newton by-election.
250 votes lost during a recession and a 20 point lead for the conservatives in most opinion polls.
I bet the local Labour mob are shitting their pants.
John Bell is like a god in local Tory thinking our great leader.
carry on the good leadership John
Islamification of Europe. Demographic Winter.
If you can't see it, then you are blind to the truth
Come clean Mr Bell and co is it true you want to turn the lights out at night,replace care staff with a sprinkler system and sack thousands of council workers.
Anyone got the document in question to view ?
Carry on with your Inspirational leadership Councillor John Bell. You've got Labour on the run at council meeting. WELL DONE THAT MAN
I am delighted to support the application for this plaque. Robert Stanley was twice Mayer of Stalybridge and gave distinguished service as a member of this community - a true Englishman who became a Muslim. Among other things he chaired committees which built our splendid Stalybridge Market Hall and also gave us Stamford Park. As well as honouring his service to our community the plaque is also a proud reminder that we live in a country in which people are now free to practice a religious faith of their choosing and one which is enriched by the contribution of people from all faiths.
Very interesting history indeed. The point seems to be that this was a man who did an awful lot for the community and that he also eventually became a muslim. Just a surprising, unearthed bit of history which surely deserves recognition.
People should stop getting their knickers in a twist that stories like this are evidence of Islamification of Britain - get over it!! Muslims were always here and long may they, and people who genuinely have a real faith and/ or community values, remain!
Agatha, your lack of any knowledge of Islam's history and purpose is only matched by your goodwill to all men attitude. The reality is Islam represents the diametric opposite of this live and let live stance. Muslims have been here a long time but only in small numbers, their exponential birthrate is a deliberate plan to take over that has been repeated for centuries.
Funny that ABC as I have been studying Islamic thought and medieval islam for 17 years now, but clearly you know much more than me! Clever you!
ABC is spot on.
With your immense wealth of knowledge can you tell us what you make of Islamic demographic patterns in Britain since the mid 1950's. Do not confuse an intellectual study of Islamic thought with the reality of Islamic action. Or maybe you're not as 'clever' as you think you are.
The figures show that more than one in every eight people in England was born abroad. In the middle of last year there were 6,486,000 people in Britain who were born abroad, with just over six million of them in England. The vast majority of the population increase is not from Eastern Europe. The numbers of Eastern Europeans living in Britain has gone up by between 400,000 and 500,000, while the ranks of those in Britain who were born outside Europe have swelled by just under 700,000.
There are far too many immigrants. Our national identity is under severe threat. All the evidence says none of the main Parties will stop this. Britain needs a Party that will before it's too late.
My Christmas Message to Mr Anjem Choudary
Revd Stubbs, all the evidence shows Islam is spreading over Britain apace. Appeasement and tolerance wasn't the answer to secular fascists in the 1930's and it's not the answer to religious fascists now.
Islamic fundamentalists and terrorists in the UK are simply the hotheaded impatient versions of the smarter Muslims who are prepared to wait a few years and use overbreeding and increasing political influence to take over. This will either happen or we will stop them. There is no middle ground with this creed.
They worship a pervert who married a six year old and had sex with her at nine and treat women like dogs.
The proposed blue plaque has nothing to do with this man's actions and everything to do with the promotion of 'community cohesion'.
We need less of the 'Love thy neighbour even if he's killed your kids' philosophy and more of the mental hardness we displayed in WWII to do what's necessary to survive as a nation.
Notting Hill carnival riots 2008
Just want things to get worse and worse. Make English people understand time to open your eyes.
Britain is sinking
You see what my beloved England has become. Shame on England for allowing this to become the norm. England is heading for HELL!
Agatha, marine biologists might dive to 'study' Great White Sharks, the ones who live longer are the ones who are aware of the REALITY of the potential danger.
That's sad....Looks like the NWO tries to make globalisation and one world goverment for good.....
You know what is the trap here?.....The trap now is that all Europeans ask for a united Europe to kick out the muslims....BUT after that we will have become Inited states of Europe.....
And you know that would be a goal of the NWO....We need to help each other but we also need to keep clean our idetntities....My country Hellas has not that problem that much wiht muslims or blacks but we have a big problem with Albanians....
And a country must be populated only by its countryment....
You've seen Russia....They have so organised skinheads....You should make too....But you need police to cover you up and take your side....So when you kill them they won't search it much !....
Islam is not for me
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