"I was born here, and Harehills is my home. The vast majority of my life was spent on Harehills Lane, surrounded by family who lived nearby. Growing up, it was a very safe and close-knit community. I remember, during the holidays, we'd head out in the early afternoon and wouldn't come home until it got late. We played in the streets all day, and there was a strong sense of community — everyone knew each other, and we always felt safe.
I never planned on stepping into politics, it genuinely happened by accident. While at university, I attended a meeting about electing a new MP after George Mudie stepped down. It was held at the Shine office, and when I walked in, I saw 84 people in the room. Of those, only four were women. It just didn't feel right to me. We needed more women involved and represented in politics. That moment sparked my interest, and soon I became more active in the community. People started approaching me, saying, "Salma, you should stand for Councillor. You know the area, you know the issues. Why not put yourself forward?" Encouraged by them, I decided to step forward. In 2016, I was elected, and it was the beginning of my political journey, driven by the support of the local community.
Whatever comes Harehills' way — despite the bad publicity, the disorders, and the negatives — what you will find in the people of Harehills is resilience. There's a genuine sense of acceptance in the area, where people from all walks of life have come together. Looking back over the past 100 years, you can see how the area has been shaped by diverse communities. In the early 1900s, the Irish and Jewish communities migrated here. We saw the arrival of Caribbean and South Asian migrants. My grandfather arrived in the late '30s — he first settled in London before moving to Leeds. Harehills has always been a place shaped by its people. What gives me hope is that, the people of Harehills, no matter what is thrown at them, they are a resilient bunch."
