Whilst our planned open access video viewing space is on hold IRL, we are taking the project online with our new ‘Videotheque’ Vimeo channel.

Muhammad Idrish Must Stay! (8:46,TURC Video produced by Trevor Boden, Harry McNichol, David Pritchard, Dave Rushton, Norman Staples, Ian Waldie, Ann Yap)

In October 1983, 2,500 people marched with veteran Birmingham activist and campaigner Muhammad Idrish through Handsworth to Birmingham city centre. Their slogan: ‘Muhammad Idrish Must Stay – Stop the Deportation!’

After studying Physics at Dhaka university Muhammad came to the UK in 1976 for postgraduate training in optical technology at Bristol Polytechnic. He later married and applied to remain in the UK as the spouse of a British citizen, which was granted. Refused permanent residency following the break up of his marriage, Muhammad was threatened with deportation. He fought back. A campaign to stop Muhammad’s deportation received widespread support and his trade union NALGO (now UNISON ) took up the fight nationally. Muhammad’s campaign against his deportation was a powerful moment of a joint struggle between anti-racist and trade union movements, and was unique in being documented by the Birmingham Trade Union Research Council’s video filming and distribution initiative, TURC video. A common purpose was established; black people fighting collectively against racism and for justice.

After three years of public campaigning a London court ruled in his favour and the Government was forced to reverse its decision. After winning his campaign Muhammad was actively involved in setting up of West Midlands Anti Deportation Campaign and the National Coalition of Anti Deportation Campaigns.  These two organisations successfully campaigned for scores of individuals and families. Muhammad retrained as an Immigration Advisor and worked for nearly thirty years with Asian Resource Centre –  a voluntary sector, civil rights organisation based in the Handsworth district of Birmingham. He is now retired from paid employment but still active in campaigns for justice and equality.

Film digitised by Marian Hall.

Watch: Muhammad Idrish Must Stay! from 24-30/07

Resources:

Copy of the original national march and rally poster Idrish_Rally_Poster

Article by Idrish in the publication Campaign Against Racism and Fascism, No. 19 March/April 1994 , ISSN 0966-1050 CARF-19

The July programme is screened in association with South Asian Heritage Month (SAHM) which aims to commemorate, mark and celebrate South Asian history and culture, and build an understanding of the diverse heritage that continues to link the UK with South Asia.

#SouthAsianHeritageMonth