ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A Sulaimani-born Kurdish politician was elected mayor of a southern London borough on Wednesday , reciting his vows in traditional Kurdish clothing, a ritual he also practiced last year when he took up the position of deputy mayor.
Sarbaz Barznji has rapidly climbed up the Lambeth municipality ladder over the past year, from being elected councilor in early May 2022, to moving up to the deputy mayor position less than 20 days later, and finally elected Mayor of Lambeth on Wednesday.
He recited his vows at the inauguration ceremony in both Kurdish and English.
“I am happy and I hope I can faithfully fulfill the responsibility I have been given,” Barznji told Rudaw’s Hemin Baban Rahim.
I am deeply honored to have been elected as your Mayor. It is my privilege to serve this vibrant community and contribute to a brighter future for everyone.
— Sarbaz Barznji (@SarbazBarznji) April 27, 2023
It is my pleasure to serve as Mayor of Lambeth and thank the people of Lambeth and my councillor colleagues for this… pic.twitter.com/RPNufyPWa9
The Labour party’s Lambeth branch congratulated Barznji on his new role, calling it “well-deserved.”
“I'm excited to work with Sarbaz [Barznji] over the coming year and know he will be an amazing champion for our whole community,” tweeted Bell Ribeiro-Addy, a member of the British parliament.
The newly elected mayor, who moved to London as a teenager, graduated with a master’s degree in civil engineering structures from London’s City University in 2014, and is currently a visiting lecturer at the university.
Barznji became a well-respected figure in the community during the COVID-19 pandemic, helping deliver hot meals to health workers in hospitals, as well as providing accommodation and food to refugees. He attracted media attention in July 2021 when he attempted to rescue one of his neighbors from a burning building.
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