Sayeeda Reiterates Her Call for Khat to be banned

In a House of Lords debate today, Baroness Warsi called on the government to ban the drug Khat. Khat is having a profound effect on certain communities in the UK. The drug can be bought in Britain with no restrictions at all and recent surveys have shown that up to 59% of young people in Sheffield chew Khat. Sayeeda has been campaigning to outlaw this drug and is adamant that this can be achieved. (June 24th 2008)

Muslim Writers’ Awards House of Lords Reception

Sayeeda met with the directors of Innovate Arts, a successful social enterprise established to promote and guide emerging writers and authors across the UK. Commenting on the achievements of the winners Baroness Warsi said: ‘the award winning literature represented here today is truly inspiring. Many of the winners lead busy professional lives, including in medicine and law, and to achieve success in the demanding world of literature is a remarkable achievement. Programmes like this are important because a common appreciation of literature has the power to unite communities and break down traditional barriers’. (May 13th 2008)

Harrow Heroes Awards

Sayeeda Warsi was guest speaker at the Harrow Heroes Awards 2008. Hosted by the BBC’s Asad Ahmed, the awards recognise the outstanding contribution made by volunteers and voluntary organisations in contributing to community development across Harrow. Speaking at the awards Baroness Warsi, Shadow Minister for Social Action and Community Cohesion, said: ‘these awards recognise the tireless contribution made by the voluntary sector in Harrow. I am leading a team that is looking at how we can replicate the success of the voluntary sector in places like Harrow across the UK’.

Tea for Two Launch

Sayeeda and Conservative PPC for Dewsbury, Kevin Holinrake, launched the ‘Tea for Two’ community cohesion initiative at the House of Lords. The ‘Tea for Two’ initiative is designed to promote community cohesion by bringing different sections of society together. Traditional barriers will be broken down and the participants will gain a better understanding of the cultures that make up the society in which they live and work. (March 5th 2008)