Mrs Fatema Islam – a legend for dedicated community service in Luton & beyond
Born: 24 November 1947, Sylhet, East Pakistan (Bangladesh since 16 December 1971). Arrived in Luton: 19 April 1977. Died: 27 April 2025.
A tireless veteran voluntary worker: Mrs Fatema Islam was an extraordinary British Bangladeshi lady who started to provide voluntary services to disadvantaged people soon after her arrival in Luton from Bangladesh in 1977. She had a BA Honours in Bengali literature from Eden Girls College, Dhaka, and MA in Political Science from Dhaka University in Bangladesh. She was a college lecturer in Sylhet, Bangladesh, before coming to Luton, Bedfordshire, to join her husband. She taught English to speakers of other languages (ESOL) at Barnfield College in Luton. When she first started working with the community, there were hardly any translation/interpretation facilities available to provide non-English speakers with effective access to services relating to education, health, police service, housing, social welfare and so on. She set about her community activities in full swing to bridge these gaps. She worked with Luton and Dunstable Hospital and schools, interpreted for the Police and provided advice and advocacy for parents and pupils, patients and homeless people, victims of domestic abuse and people who needed housing. She helped schoolteachers to understand what was needed in the classroom to support Bangladeshi children.
A trail blazer: Fatema Islam was the first Home School Liaison Officer in Bedfordshire and Luton. Recruited in 1985 by Bedfordshire Education Authority, she provided a valuable service by building a communication bridge between Luton’s schools and Bangladeshi parents. She was also the first Bangladeshi female ESOL teacher at Barnfield College. In both roles she empowered many people who otherwise would have been marginalised because of their limited knowledge of the system and lack of English. In 1987 Fatema set up Luton’s first Asian Girls’ voluntary group - Milaap - which attracted young women from diverse South Asian cultures. She started the First Asian mothers’ and children’s Swimming Club which continued for many years until the Covid -19 Pandemic.
Serving diverse groups and agencies: Fatema Islam worked as a member and/or supporter of many different organisations such as Purbachal - the eastern sky, Luton Multicultural Women’s Coalition, Luton Community Health Forum, Bengali Women’s Project based at the Centre for Youth and Community Development (CYCD), the Gender Subgroup of the Independent Advisory Group of Bedfordshire Police etc. She was also a governor of Denbigh Junior, Infant and High Schools. She worked with the Bangladeshi Girls’ Youth Club, After School Study Support classes and the Luncheon Club at CYCD and the Summer Schools organised by various groups. She herself organised many summer outings for women and children over the years. She was also involved with community empowerment projects run by Dr Nazia Khanum OBE DL (retired) such as Equality in Diversity, UNA Luton, Luton Community Health Forum and Luton Multicultural Women’s Coalition. Through CYCD she reached out to numerous women who were in need. She regularly participated at UNA Luton Women’s Annual Peace Procession and publicity for shop mobility for people with restricted mobility. This she did as part of Luton International Carnival every year.
Awards received: Fatema Islam received many awards, including two Pride in Luton awards (Special Award and Caring and Sharing Award), along with awards from Luton Borough Council, Purbachal-the eastern sky, UNA Luton, British Bangladeshi Business Forum for the east of England region and ION TV based in London. She was also an invited guest to one of Queen Elizabeth II’s Garden Parties in Buckingham Palace. Her life story was included in a book - 101 British Bangladeshis – Recognition for voluntary contributions by Dr Mohammed Abul Lais, August 2022.
Touched many lives: Fatema Islam touched many lives. Her contribution to community service is legendary. She will remain an inspiration for all those who knew her, benefitted from her and for generations yet to come.
Grateful thanks to all involved: I, Dr Nazia Khanum, am deeply grateful to Councillor Tahmina Saleem, former Mayor of Luton, for her tremendous support for this project, to all donors for their generous contributions and to the Legend on the Bench Charity for making it all happen. As always, I owe much to many community activists for their trust in me for many things including this project. I am beyond grateful to my husband – Dr David Cheesman - for his unwavering support for all my community work including this important project for our beloved Fatema Islam who will forever be in our hearts. I am sure that visitors to this special bench and their families and friends will benefit from the information about Fatema Islam’s inspiring community activities, and about the services available for people with mental health issues. I, on behalf of donors and well-wishers, warmly invite visitors across communities to sit on this bench – see the photos of Fatema Islam at many community events, watch the videos of her, read what we have written about her and then relax and reflect for a while. Those who are religious, please say a prayer for the sacred soul of Fatema Islam to rest in eternal PEACE and inspire generations from beyond her grave. AMEEN.