Awami League UK leaders outside Tulip Siddiq's election campaign office on the first dayof the UK national election campaign. Dozens of UK AL leaders and activists without any connection to the constituency came to the office daily - whilst local labour members were absent
In the 2019 national UK election, the UK wing of Bangladesh's ruling party, the Awami League, organised a systemic campaign, somewhat covert in nature, involving dozens of its leaders and activists, to support the re-election of Tulip Siddiq as member of parliament in Hampstead and Kilburn.
The UK Awami League (UK AL) is set up through the constitution of of the Bangladesh Awami League and its leaders were appointed in 2011 by the leader of the Bangladesh political party, the current prime minister Sheikh Hasina. Tulip Siddiq is her niece.
As part of the election campaign, Tulip Siddiq's Labour Party rented out a dilapidated office in Kilburn that became the base of the UK AL campaign. The office was effectively the UK AL campaign office for Tulip's campaign - as very few non-UK AL people attended. Every day, throughout the campaign, dozens of UK AL leaders and activists, very few of them with any connection to Tulip's constituency, attended the office in order to receive election leaflets and other material and were told where to distribute them, throughout the constituency.
The Awami League UK section is constitutinally part of the Bangladesh party. It has a main committee, and a number of different leagues (Youth, Volunteer, Farmers, Fisheries etc) and branches (London etc). In these pictures - which are far from comprehensive, we have identified 65 different AL UK post holders who were present campaigning for Tulip Siddiq (not including other UK AL activists). The full list is at the very end of this post.
Siddiq denies she was aware of the campaign - but that seems simply implausible as the work of the UK AL could not have happened without coordination with her or her senior campaign officers. There was a clear divide between ordinary labour party support and that of the UK AL campaign support.
Much of the evidence of UK AL's Tulip Siddiq campaign comes from hours of filming outside the office done by Channel Four News - as well as photos UK AL activists published on their Facebook page.
This page publishes some of these Facebook posts. Since the Channel Four film many are no longer publicly available. The pictures below are far from comprehensive, and we would estimate many dozen more UK AL post holders and activists were involved in the campaigning.
The first four images concern strategy meetings held by the Awami League, apparently on Nov 5th and November 12th, concerning how they will go about supporting Tulip Siddiq.
The remaining images depict the actual support provided by the UK Awami League to the Tulip campaign.
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UK Awami League strategy meetings about supporting Tulip Siddiq campaign
November 5th
Awami League meeting including Sultan Mahmud Sharif (President);
UK Awami League strategy meetings about supporting Tulip Siddiq campaign
November 5th
Awami League meeting including Sultan Mahmud Sharif (President);
ASM Misbah Sadath (trade and industry secretary); Nazmul Islam (vice-president, youth league); Anwarul Islam (joint convenor, labour league); Mohammad Ajrof Ali (president, fisheries league); Jubayer Ahmed (joint general secretary, youth league); Sarwar Kabir (vice-president, student League); Ala Uddin (activist) and Nurul Lipu (activist)
Translated text:
"After being selected for the 3rd time as Labour Party candidate in the upcoming British election Bangabandhu’s Tulip Sidiqi and Mr Sultan Muhmmad Sharif, the Chairman of the UK Awami League, under the leadership of brother Misbah, the UK AL Trade and Industry Secretary discuss campaign strategy with the UK AL and the leaders of related groups."
"The oldest daughter of Sheikh Rehana who is the younger sister of the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, is fighting for re-election in the labour party for the third time in the upcoming British Parliamentary election. As before, to make her victorious, brother Sultan Sharif, the respected president of the UK Awami League will provide direction and our well wishing friends gathered in this scheduled meeting will be under the leadership of O S M Misbah, the secretary of industry and commerce, who will provide the strategy for action at ground level!!Inshallah we will be victorious!!"
Translated Text
"Brother Sultan Sharif, the respected president of the UK Awami League and here present the renowned leaders of the Awami League brother Abdul Ahad Chowdhury, brother Shah Shamim, brother Misbah Sadath, brother Tarek and the leadership of Matshajibi League and Shechashebak League are giving guidance and direction to the planning and subsequent work of the selection campaign of Tulip Siddiqi, the granddaughter of Bangabandhu"
(Matshajibi and Shechashebak Leagues are units of the AL. All the men mentioned are UK AL Activists/leaders.)
November 12th
Awami League meeting including Sultan Mahmud Sharif (president); Shah Shamim Ahmed (Office Secretary); Tarif Ahmed (Youth and Sports affairs Secretary) and Ahad Chowdhury (Organising Secretary).
Translated Text"Brother Sultan Sharif, the respected president of the UK Awami League and here present the renowned leaders of the Awami League brother Abdul Ahad Chowdhury, brother Shah Shamim, brother Misbah Sadath, brother Tarek and the leadership of Matshajibi League and Shechashebak League are giving guidance and direction to the planning and subsequent work of the selection campaign of Tulip Siddiqi, the granddaughter of Bangabandhu"
(Matshajibi and Shechashebak Leagues are units of the AL. All the men mentioned are UK AL Activists/leaders.)
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"Yesterday evening Tulip Siddiq, the granddaughter of Bangabandhu, discussing her election campaign with the leaders of the UK Awami League."
Awami League UK organised campaigning outside the labour party election office
November 6th
AL UK outside Tulip Siddiq election campaign office including Syed Shazidur Rahman Faruk (general secretary); Anwaruzzaman Chowdhury (joint general secretary); ASM Misbah Sadath, (industry and commerce secretary); Shah Shamim Ahmed (office secretary); Bodruzzaman Shamim (vice-president, youth league); Fakhrul Islam Modhu (president, youth league); Jamal Khan (joint General Secretary, Youth league); Sayed Golap Ali (member, East London); Mahbub Ahmed (vice-president, youth league); and Shaek Ahmed (human rights affairs secretary, London branch)
November 9th
UK AL leaders/activists outside the Tulip Siddiq election campaign office including, amongst others Syed Shazidur Rahman Faruk (GeneralSecretary); Anwaruzzaman Chowdhury (joint general secretary); ASM Misbah Sadath (industry and commerce secretary); Shah Shamim Ahmed (office secretary); Syed Suruk Miah (religion affairs secretary); Mahmud Ali (organising secretary, youth league); Ahbab Miah (executive member, London branch); and Mohammad Ayas (publicity secretary, youth league)
UK AL leaders/activists outside the Tulip Siddiq election campaign office including, amongst others Syed Shazidur Rahman Faruk (GeneralSecretary); Anwaruzzaman Chowdhury (joint general secretary); ASM Misbah Sadath (industry and commerce secretary); Shah Shamim Ahmed (office secretary); Syed Suruk Miah (religion affairs secretary); Mahmud Ali (organising secretary, youth league); Ahbab Miah (executive member, London branch); and Mohammad Ayas (publicity secretary, youth league)
UK AL leaders/activists outside the Tulip Siddiq election campaign office including amongst others: Syed Shazidur Rahman Faruk (general secretary); ASM Misbah Sadath, (industry and commerce secretary); Shah Shamim Ahmed (office secretary); Selim Ahmed Chowdhury (organising secretary, London branch); Tarif Ahmed (youth and sports affairs Secretary); Babul Khan (organising secretary, youth league), Ajrof Ali Noor (president, fisheries league); Nazmul Islam (vice-president, youth league); Aminul Islam Jillu (international secretary, London branch); Moynul Haque (vice-president, London branch) Syed Tareq (convenor, farmers league); Kamrul Hossain Munna (joint secretary, volunteer league); Selim Chowdhury (organising secretary, London branch); Golam Kibria (vice-president, London branch); Misbah Rahman (organising secretary, West London branch); Shaek Ahmed (human rights secretary); Shahjahan Ahmed Shajah (advisor, Sheikh Rasel children union); and Aminul Islam (activist).
UK AL leaders/activists outside Tulip Siddiq's election campaign office including amongst others: Anwaruzzaman Chowdhury (joint general secretary); Fakhrul Islam Modhu (president, youth league); Delwar Hossain Liton (joint general secretary, Youth League) and Golam Jilani (Camden branch).
UK AL leaders/activists outside Tulip Siddiq's election campaign office including amongst others: ASM Misbah Sadath (industry and commerce secretary), Shah Shamim Ahmed (office secretary) and Tareq Ahmed (London youth league) Selim Ahmed Chowhdury (secretary, youth league), Nazmul Islam (vice-president, youth league), Foyzur Rahman (joint general secretary, youth league); and Azrof Ali Noor (president, fisheries League).
UK AL leaders/activists outside the Tulip Siddiq election campaign office including amongst others: Tareq Ahmed (London youth league president); Shah Shamim Ahmed (office secretary); Jhalak Paul (joint secretary, volunteer league) Forhad Ahmed (vice-president, volunteer league); Golam Kibria (vice-president, London branch); Misbah Rahman (organising secretary, West London branch); Selim Ahmed Chowdhury (organising secretary, London branch); Foyzur Rahman (joint general secretary, youth league); Sharob Ali (human rights secretary)
UK AL leaders/activists outside the Tulip Siddiq election campaign office including amongst others: Anwaruzzaman Chowdhury, (joint general secretary) and ASM Misbah Sadath, (industry and commerce secretary) and Abdul Ahad Chowdhury (organising secretary) Shahhan Ahmed Shah; Shah Shamim Ahmed (office secretary); Sharob Ali (Human Rights Secretary); Abdul Hanan (secretariat member, London); Babul Khan (Organising Secretary, Youth League) and Shahjahan Ahmed Shaja (advisor, Sheikh Rasel children union).
Translated Text
"Mr Misbah Sadath, the UK Awami League secretary of industry and commerce and my respected uncle Shahjahan Ahmed Shaja uncle and other leaders are campaigning and leafleting for the nomination of Tulip Siddiqi"
"Mr Misbah Sadath, the UK Awami League secretary of industry and commerce and my respected uncle Shahjahan Ahmed Shaja uncle and other leaders are campaigning and leafleting for the nomination of Tulip Siddiqi"
UK AL leaders/activists outside the Tulip Siddiq election campaign office including amongst others: Jubayer Ahmed (joint general secretary, youth league) and Abdul Ahad Chowdhury (organising secretary); Anwarul Islam (joint convenor, labour league); and Fakhar Kamal (executive member, London)
UK AL leaders/activists outside the Tulip Siddiq election campaign office including amongst others: Syed Shazidur Rahman Faruk (general secretary); Shah Shamim Ahmed (office secretary); Babul Khan (organising secretary, youth league); Tarif Ahmed (youth and sports affairs secretary); Syed Suruk Mia (religion affairs secretary); Moinul Huq (vice-president, London branch); Sayed Tareq Ahmed (Convenor, Farmers League); Aminul Huq Jillu (international secretary, London branch); Shahjahan Ahmed Shajah (advisor, Sheikh Rasel children union); and Faisal Rahman (Activist)
November 10th
Misbah Sadath (industry and commerce secretary) distributing labour party leaflets with Md Nurul Lipu (activist) which they collected from Tulip Siddiq's election campaign office
November 11th
Misbah Sadath (industry and commerce secretary) and Shahjahan Ahmed Shajah (advisor, Sheikh Rasel children union) distributing leaflets, obtained from Tulip's campaign office, with other UK AL activists
Translated text: "Here we are on the campaign of Tulip Siddiqi on 11th November."
Translated text: "Leafleting for our pride Tulip Siddiqi is Uncle Shaja Ahmed Shahjahan, the Chattra league student leader in the Sylhet district in the ‘90s."
UK AL leaders including MSM Misbah Sadath (industry and commerce secretary) and Shah Shamim Ahmed (office secretary), Nazmul Islam (vice-president, youth league) and Shahjahan Ahmed Shajah (advisor, Sheikh Rasel children union) distributing leaflets they collected from Tulip Siddiq's campaign office.
November 13th
UK AL leaders/activists on way to, outside and at Tulip Siddiq's election campaign office including Harmuz Ali (vice-president); Misbah Sadath
(industry and commerce secretary); Foyzur Rahman (joint general secretary, youth league) and Md Nurul Lipu (activist).
Translated text: "The granddaughter of Bangabandhu is again standing as the Labour party candidate for the British Parliament. #tulip siddiqi # we are here on the eve of the campaign for nomination"
November 16th
UK AL leaders/activists outside the Tulip Siddiq election campaign office including amongst others: Sultan Mahmud Sharif (president); Noim Uddin Riaz (joint general-secretary); MA Rahim (joint president); Afzol Hossain (vice-president, youth league); Nurul Lipu (activist) and Mahmud (Camden).
November 18th
UK AL Leaders/activists inside Tulip Siddiq's election campaign office (and some putting leaflets through doors) including Syed Shazidur Rahman Faruk (general secretary); Noim Uddin Riaz (joint general secretary), Anwaruzzaman Chowdhury (joint general secretary); Misbah Sadath (industry and commerce secretary), and MA Rohim (vice-president) ; Khasruzzaman Khasru (dducation and human resources affairs secretary); Maruf Chowdhury (joint general secretary); Sharob Ali (human rights secretary); Misbah Rahman (organising secretary, West London branch); Mrs Rohim (women's league) Shahjahan Ahmed Shajah (advisor, aheikh rasel children union), and Josna Bibi (womens youth league)
November 23rd
UK AL Leaders/activists on opposite side of the road to Tulip Siddiq's election campaign office including ASM Misbah Sadath (industry and commerce secretary); Shah Shamim Ahmed (office secretary) and Mahmud Ali (Organising Secretary, Youth League)
UK AL Leaders/activists on opposite side of the road to Tulip Siddiq's election campaign office including ASM Misbah Sadath (industry and commerce secretary); Shah Shamim Ahmed (office secretary) and Mahmud Ali (Organising Secretary, Youth League)
UK AL leaders/activists outside Tulip Siddiq's election campaign office including amongst others: Syed Shazidur Rahman Faruk (general secretary); Shah Shamim Ahmed (office secretary); Tarif Ahmed (youth and sports affairs secretary); Ansarul Huq (expatriate welfare affairs secretary) and Shahjahan Ahmed Shajah (advisor, Sheikh Rasel children union).
UK AL leaders/activists distributing labour party leaflets including Shah Shamim Ahmed (office secretary), Tarif Ahmed (youth and sports affairs Secretary); Ansarul Huq (expatriate welfare affairs secretary); Abdur Shakur Molik (executive member); Syed Tareq (convenor, farmers League); and Shahjahan Ahmed Shajah (advisor, Sheikh Rasel children union).
November 27th
UK AL leaders/activists distributing labour party leaflets including MA Rohim (vice-president); Abdul Ahad Chowdhury (organising secretary); Syed Suruk Miah (religion affairs secretary); Raju Montar (vice president, youth league); and MA Motin (founder president, Camden Branch).
November 28th
UK AL leaders/activists congregating on opposite side of road to Tulip Siddiq's election campaign office including: Sultan Mahmud Sharif (president); Syed Shazidur Rahman Faruk (general secretary); Jalal Uddin (vice-president); MA Rohim (vice-president); Shah Shamim Ahmed (office secretary); ASM Misbah Sadath (industry and commerce secretary); Jamal Khan (joint general secretary, youth league; Sarwar Kabir (vice-president, student League); Muhibuddin Chowdhury (joint convenor, farmers league) and Shahjahan Ahmed Shajah (advisor, Sheikh Rasel children union).
UK AL leaders and activists standing opposite Tulip Siddiq election campaign office as well as leafleting along with Sultan Mahmud Sharif (President); Syed Shazidur Rahman Faruk (general secretary); Jalal Uddin (vice-president); MA Rohin (vice-president); Anwaruzzman Chowdhury (joint general secretary); ASM Misbah Sadath (secretary of industry and commerce); Shah Shamim Ahmed (office secretary); Sarwar Kabir (vice-president, student League); Delwar Hossain Liton (joint general secretary, Youth League); Forhad Ahmed (vice-president, volunteer league); Jamal Khan (joint general secretary, youth league); Muhid Uddin Chowdhury (joint convenor, farmers league) and Shahjahan Ahmed Shajah (advisor, Sheikh Rasel children union).
Translated text: "Working for the labour party campaign in the UK are Mr Misbah Sadath, the Awami League secretary of industry and commerce and my respected leader brother Shahjahan Ahmed Shaja, the advisor and activist for the UK Sheikh Russel Child and Adolescent Centre, also are present the senior leaders of the UK Awami League"
November 30th
AL UK leaders/activists outside Tulip Siddiq's election campaign office and distributing leaflets including MA Rohim (vice-president); Shah Shamim Ahmed (office secretary); Abdul Ahad Chowdhury (organising secretary); Syed Saruk Miah (religion affairs secretary); Sharob Ali (human rights secretary); MA Motin (founder president Camden Branch); and Mahmud (Camden branch)
AL UK leaders and activists outside Tulip Siddiq's election campaign office including Anwaruzzman Chowdhury (joint general secretary); ASM Misbah Sadath (industry and commerce secretary); Sharob Ali (human rights secretary); (president, fisheries league); Azrof Ali Noor (president, fisheries league); Selim Ahmed Khan (secretary, youth league); Mahmud Ali (organising secretary, youth league); Abul Lais (organising secretary, youth league); Shumon Ahmed (Secretary, Youth League London Branch) and Ala Uddin (activist)
December 1st
AL Leaders/activists leafleting.
Translated text: "The UK Awami League and leaders of associate organisations are campaigning daily in the constituency for the last few weeks to ensure that on 12th December in the British general election, the Labour Party candidate Tulip Siddiqi for the North London seat of Hampstead and Kilburn is returned with a landslide majority. We few are responsible for the campaigning in the constituency on Saturday, 30th November from morning till afternoon."
AL UK leaders and activists outside Tulip Siddiq's campaign office including ASM Misbah Sadath (industry and commerce secretary); Mahmud Ali (organising secretary, youth league); Azrof Ali Noor (president, UK fisheries league); Akif Khan (vice-president, volunteer league); Abdul Hanan (secretariat member); and Shahjahan Ahmed Shajah (advisor, Sheikh Rasel children union).
December 3rd
AL UK leaders/activists outside Tulip Siddiq's campaign office including ASM Misbah Sadath (industry and commerce secretary); Shahjahan Ahmed Shajah (advisor, Sheikh Rasel children union) and Foyzur Rahman (joint general secretary, Youth League).
AL UK leaders/activists outside Tulip Siddiq's campaign office including Nurul Islam (volunteer league, vice-president); Habibur Rahman (relief and social welfare affairs secretary), and Abdul Karim Nadim (activist)
AL UK leaders/activists outside Tulip Siddiq's campaign office including Shaek Ahmed Human (human rights secretary), ASM Misbah Sadath (industry and commerce secretary), and Muslima Shams Boni (secretary, women's youth league)
Main UK Committee
Sultan Mahmud Sharif (President);
Syed Shazidur Rahman Faruk (General Secretary);
Harmuz Ali (Vice-president);
Jalal Uddin (Vice-President);
MA Rohim (Vice-President)
Anwaruzzaman Chowdhury (Joint General Secretary);
Noim Uddin Riaz (Joint General Secretary)
Maruf Chowdhury (joint general Secretary);
Ahad Chowdhury (Organising Secretary)
Ansarul Huq (Expatriate Welfare Affairs secretary)
Khasruzzaman Khasru (Education and Human Resources Affairs Secretary);
ASM Misbah Sadath, (Industry and Commerce affairs Secretary);
Syed Suruk Mia (Religion Affairs Secretary);
Shah Shamin Ahmed (Office Secretary),
Sharob Ali (Human Rights Secretary);
Tarif Ahmed (Youth and Sports affairs Secretary);
Habibur Rahman (Relief and social welfare affairs Secretary)
Shakur Molik Wadud (Executive member)
London Branch
Abdul Hanan (Secretariat member);
Golam Kibria (Vice-President, London branch);
Selim Ahmed Chowdhury (Organising Secretary, London Branch);
Ahbab Miah (Executive member, London branch);
Aminul Islam Jillu (International Secretary, London branch);
Fakhar Kamal (Executive committee member, London branch)
Shaek Ahmed (Human Rights Affairs Secretary, London branch)
Moynul Haque (Vice-President, London branch)
Moinul Huq (Vice-President, London Branch)
Shahjahan Ahmed Shajah ((Adviser, Sheikh Rasel Shishu Kishore Porishad UK)
Youth League
Fakhrul Islam Modhu (President, Youth league)
Selim Ahmed Khan (Secretary, Youth League)
Mahbub Ahmed (Vice-President, Youth league);
Raju Montar (Vice President, Youth League);
Nazmul Islam (Vice-President, Youth League)
Jamal Khan (Joint General Secretary, Youth Wing);
Delwar Hossain Liton (Joint General Secretary, Youth League);
Jubayer Ahmed (Joint General Secretary, Youth league)
Bodruzzaman Shamim (Vice-President, Youth Wing);
Afzol Hossain (Vice-President, Youth League)
Babul Khan (Organising Secretary, Youth League),
Abul Lais (Organising Secretary, Youth League);
Mahmud Ali (Organising Secretary, Youth League);
Shuhel Ahmed (UK Youth League)
Tareq Ahmed (London Youth league President)
Shumon Ahmed (Secretary, Youth League London Branch) – instead of Foysal
Foyzur Rahman Foyaz (Joint Secretary, Youth League)
Mohammad Ayas (Publicity secretary, UK Youth League)
Alam (UK Youth League);
Volunteer League
Nurul Islam (Vice-President, Volunteer league);
Akif Khan (Vice-President, Volunteer league);
Forhad Ahmed (Vice-President, Volunteer League);
Jhalak Paul (joint secretary, Volunteer league)
Kamrul Hossain Munna (Joint Secretary, UK Volunteer league);
Farmers League
Sayed Tareq Ahmed (Convenor, Farmers League);
Muhid Uddin Chowdhury (Joint Convenor, Farmers League)
Fisheries League
Azrof Ali Noor (President, UK Fisheries League)
Labour League
Anwarul Islam (Joint Convenor, Labour League);
Woman’s league
Muslima Shams Boni (Secretary, Women's youth league)
Josna Bibi (Youth Womens league)
Mrs Rohim (women's league)
Camden Branch
Golam Jilani (Camden branch);
MA Motin (Founder president, Camden Branch);
Mahmud (Camden branch)
West London Branch
Misbah Rahman (Organising Secretary, West London Branch);
Student League
Sarwar Kabir (Vice-President, Student League);
East London Branch
Sayed Golap Ali (East London, member);
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