Yesterday I joined the Mayor of Islington, the leader of the council, Labour’s candidate in Islington North, Jeremy Corbyn, and other community leaders to celebrate the 18th anniversary of the Islington Somali-Banadir Association.

The group works to promote the interests of Islington’s sizable Somali community, organising community events and support services for residents.

The Somali community is an important part of the social fabric in Islington, where significant numbers of Somali refugees settled in recent decades. The community has since put down roots in the borough, contributing to the diversity that makes Islington such a special place to live.

I was especially pleased to pay tribute to Sharif Abdalla Abubakar Sangaaf, who founded the Islington Somali-Banadir Association 18 years ago and still runs it today. His hard work has helped the association become one of the strongest voices for Islington’s Somali community, both celebrating and preserving the community’s unique identity.