SWINDON’S first Muslim mayor will be sworn-in later today.

Junab Ali, a ward councillor for central Swindon, said he wanted to be mayor for all Swindon.

The councillor, who will be the first mayor of Bangladeshi descent, told BBC Wiltshire: “I am really proud to be the first Muslim mayor of the town. I want to be able to promote the position of the mayor to the 228,000 people of Swindon, because sometimes I think a lot of people don’t know there’s a handover.”

Coun Ali has served for the last year as deputy mayor under Coun Maureen Penny: “I have been practising and preparing for the last year. As a councillor I have been there for 10 years. I know there will be meetings, but this will be extra-special. You will meet all of the businesses and people of our town. That’s a greater honour than usual.”

He will be sworn-in at the Swindon Borough Council civic offices today.

Fellow Labour councillor Jim Robbins said: “I’m really looking forward to seeing Junab Ali sworn in as the new mayor. Having our first Muslim Mayor in Swindon, and the first of Bangladeshi descent, shows the amazing multiculturalism we have in Swindon and he will be a huge asset to the town.”