Hamza Taouzzale, first Muslim Lord Mayor of Westminster

Hamza Taouzzale, a 22-year-old Moroccan-born councilman from Queen’s Park, is making history.

Hamza Taouzzale is one of the few Moroccans living abroad who has achieved political success. Westminster City Council issued a statement announcing the 22-year-old Labor Party member’s election as Lord Mayor of the City of Westminster on May 8.

As a result, he will be in charge of chairing Council sessions as well as meetings with local charities, voluntary organizations, corporations, government officials, and diplomatic representatives. He will also represent the city and its residents both at home and abroad.

“A lot of people don’t know what the Lord Mayor is or does,” pledged the new King’s College London graduate, “and I really want to alter that in my year in office.” He claims that because it is a post that is beyond politics, “you must keep the office out of the day-to-day activity of the Council or it will lose its importance.”