Mouna Hamitouche - first Algerian mayor champions children
Published: 21 May 2010
by PETER GRUNER
BRITAIN’S first Algerian Arab mayor – mother-of-three Mouna Hamitouche – was installed in office at Islington Town Hall on Tuesday, writes Peter Gruner.
Cllr Hamitouche, 57, was the first Algerian councillor in the country when she was elected for Labour in Barnsbury ward four years ago. Her consort will be her 18-year-old daughter, A-level student Camellia-Sarah, a former pupil at Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School.
Algerian ambassador Mohamed Sarah Dembri was one of the first to congratulate the new mayor.
Cllr Hamitouche, who is concerned about the lack of facilities for children, aims to raise money for Islington Play Association during her year in office.
“As a mother I’m only too aware of how the IPA have been improving life for children for more than 30 years,” she said.
A council estate leaseholder in King’s Cross, she came to Britain to do a PhD in business studies at City University in 1991.
Labour colleague Councillor James Murray paid tribute to her refusal to take no for an answer. “When one man refused to sign a petition for free school meals – a rarity – I remember Mouna attempted at length to persuade him,” he said. “When she could not get him on board and as we walked to the next door, Mouna noted his name. She looked at me with a grave expression, and said ‘I will come back.’ Later she added: ‘And I know his wife’.”
The new mayor is co-ordinator of Islington-based charity Algerian British Connection. Her husband, Abdel Hamid, is a legal advisor at the Algerian Consulate.
Cllr Hamitouche thanked last year’s mayor, former Lib Dem councillor Anna Berent. “She has been a champion for older people’s rights,” she said. “Anna also needs to be thanked for raising money for charities helping struggling asylum seekers.”
Comments
Congratulation Mouna
Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 2010-08-21 01:07.Its a pleasure to see Mouna in this position we are proud of you and i rather say to anyone who envy her do the same if you can or just shut up , she has all the right as A women and British / algerian citizen to work for the best of our community we wish you good luck and you have all our support
Dahmane
Bravo to Mrs Hamitouche. And
Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 2010-07-10 23:15.Bravo to Mrs Hamitouche. And good for her.
For those who think she would/should speak for or represent Algerians they got it all wrong and, do not deserve to live within this tolerant society with their backward mentality. Grow up, be responsible and open up your mind, for God's sake.
As a Mayor she will speak on behalf of the Islington community foremost.
As an Algerian who now lives in the USA, and who lived and worked in England for many years, i say to her:" Go for it Mouna and Best of Luck! Make all of us proud".
mona is not known among algerians
Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 2010-06-17 15:45.i do not care waht ever other people are saying.She is advocating on behalf of ter , even algerian women he algerian asylum seekers .I bet you if anyone who goes to finsbury and ask ordinary algerians about mona nobody knows .
Even algerian women in london do not know her.Her social gather is collecting few poeple with a bit of chaabi music and selling a small portion of couscous for 3 pounds and fifty plus tea for one pound . I can invite anybody in my place and offer them a proper meal free of charge .Do you think couscous and tea will promote someone to become a mayor? I know for a matter of fact that this woman is helpless and does only represent herself , her family and a few friends who are behind her . In one of the Islington meeting she stopped a prominent algerian from entering the meeting because he will pose for her a threat, she shouted at him .She was rude , aggressive and abrupt with him.Recently an algerian who had a mental health issue came to see her in her office , she said to him that she could not help him and refer him to the algerian communtiy in finsbury .She used to criticise this association but when she needed it she used them.
One she has got her daughter who works for her , next time she will bring all her family to work with with her.I bet yuo if this position was on a voluntary basis she would never bother to take it. She lied about her status in the uk, she said that she came to do her phd but denied that she applied for the asylum in the uk.She hates the algerian asylum seekers mainly the algerians , because she believes that they should be sent back to algeria.
Nothing constructive
Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 2010-07-22 17:44.You should just shut up if you do not have anything productive to say. You should embrace someone of ethnic origin is there to represent all people. Not just Algerian culture. I have seen many events she has put on it the past and she has not charged anything. If there is a charge it is to raise funds for charity. So stop waisting are time with negativity and use your time for something positve. Stop being a hater and embrace life and if you think you can do a better job then start putting in the work.
If you think the job that a Concillor does is highly paid and that is why they do it then you should do your homework. So give it a try who ever you are and stop complaining get up and do some volunteer work there is a lot to do. She is giving back to the community what are you doing?
Congratulations
Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 2010-06-11 16:13.I have partisapated in many projects with Mouna and can say she is very humble she is not looking for promotion but looks to help all people of all cultures. She is a strong women and I being a councillor is not financilly rewarded for gain but for the community. I hope she will succeed as Mayor of Islington amd accomplish all she has planned. I hope others can just support her and if you have not walked in some ones shoes should keep negative comments to yourself. Mouna is for all people as London is multi cultural.
Erratum: Mouna is not Arab
Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 2010-06-17 10:36.Mr P. Gruener allow me to correct you: Mouna Hamitouche is not Arab. North Africans are Amazigh(Berber). The arab identity proclaimed by the authoritarian(despotic) states is not a reflection of the reality and historic facts. We don't refer to Scots,Welsh or Irish as English people,do we? Mrs Hamitouche is more precisely a Kabylian Berber. Kabylians are struggling for the recognition of their identity denied to them by the Algerian state hellbent to assimilate them forcibly by all means!!! A quick search and you will be better informed.
Great News
Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 2010-06-04 11:00.I am proud to see an Algerian woman at that level. Mona was my lecturer in 1985/6 alongside her husband Abidi @ the Algiers University, Institute of Sceince of Journalism and Political Studies. I would like to congratualte her on her new post.
Mimi Sidhoum
Consultant London UK
Mona does not represent me .
Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 2010-05-27 23:06.As an Algerian citizen in the uk and Mona Hamitouche has nothing to do with algerians living in the UK .She does not know their daily problemsr .Most Algerians do not know her.I believe she was only looking for a better job and promotion to establish herself well.She only represents the Algerian government .I hope she will zip her month and does not speak on behalf of Algeria.Any way I have nothing against her as a person and good luck to her .
Congratulation
Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 2010-06-04 11:17.I feel honoured to see an Algerian Woman at that level. Mona was my lecturer alongside her husband Abidi in 1985/6/7 @ the institute of science of journalism and political studies (Algiers University). I am sure she will be doing a great job. There is no need for unfounded criticism or bad judgements. Many congratulation Mona.
Mimi Sidhoum
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