:Draft:Salman Shaheen

In 2018, Shaheen was elected as a Labour Party councillor for the Isleworth ward in the London Borough of Hounslow. He has held various cabinet positions and currently serves as Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure, and Public Spaces{{Cite web |date=2023-06-01 |title=Councillor details - Councillor Salman Shaheen |url=https://democraticservices.hounslow.gov.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=3161 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20230601154832/https://democraticservices.hounslow.gov.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=3161 |archive-date=2023-06-01 |access-date=2025-04-09 |website=democraticservices.hounslow.gov.uk}}. In this role, he has initiated a number of policies and campaigns that have gained national prominence.

In 2022, Shaheen launched Grow for the Future, the first policy of its kind in the UK to transform neglected or "unloved" land into spaces where urban children can grow food and learn about sustainability, biodiversity and healthy living. The programme converts wasteland into new allotments, community gardens, and orchards and pairs them with schools and community groups in often deprived areas to help them address the cost-of-living crisis by teaching people to grow their own food{{Cite web |last=Bawden |first=Tom |date=2022-11-15 |title=Hundreds of allotments to be created in wasteland to help families tackle cost of living crisis |url=https://inews.co.uk/news/environment/hundreds-allotments-created-wasteland-help-families-rising-costs-1973008 |access-date=2025-04-09 |website=The i Paper |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |date=2022-11-16 |title=New Hounslow allotments to teach children about healthy living |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-63650862 |access-date=2025-04-09 |language=en-GB}}{{Cite news |title=London council to use wasteland to help educate children about growing food |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/london-hounslow-council-cabinet-hounslow-b2226594.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20221122133103/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/london-hounslow-council-cabinet-hounslow-b2226594.html |archive-date=2022-11-22 |access-date=2025-04-09 |work=The Independent |language=en-GB}}.

Shaheen’s policy has won praise from actor Jim Carter who opened the first Grow for the Future site with Shaheen in 2024 and called on other councils to follow Hounslow’s lead and introduce similar initiatives in their own boroughs. Students participating in the scheme report it has helped them with their mental health{{Cite web |last=Bawden |first=Tom |date=2024-06-08 |title=The fly-tipping wasteland that could tackle the UK's food price crisis |url=https://inews.co.uk/news/environment/the-fly-tipping-wasteland-that-could-tackle-the-uks-food-price-crisis-3095135?srsltid=AfmBOooIBaQwlq0tBHbW2T5DF9AhvkQ8l0ROqlk6laOyTC2BpW9JCz8a |access-date=2025-04-09 |website=The i Paper |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Davis |first=Anna |date=2023-11-05 |title=Actor Jim Carter backs London scheme to turn unused land into allotments for children |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/education/jim-carter-allotments-education-hounslow-london-schools-b1117320.html |access-date=2025-04-09 |website=The Standard |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Lynch |first=Philip James |date=2025-03-05 |title=First look at new allotments and gardens as wastelands transformed |url=https://www.mylondon.news/whats-on/whats-on-news/first-look-west-london-allotments-31128344 |access-date=2025-04-09 |website=My London |language=en}}. The scheme has received backing from the UK government and the Greater London Authority, with funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund{{Cite web |last=Davis |first=Anna |date=2023-05-26 |title=Allotments plan for wasteland to help pupils learn about food |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/education/allotments-london-hounslow-council-uk-shared-prosperity-fund-b1084016.html |access-date=2025-04-09 |website=The Standard |language=en}}. One orchard in Brentford was planted in partnership with Brentford FC{{Cite web |title=Brentford and Hounslow Council open Robin Grove Park Orchard |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/news/article/club-news-brentford-hounslow-council-open-robin-grove-park-orchard |access-date=2025-04-09 |website=www.brentfordfc.com |language=en-gb}}.

Shaheen’s other green initiatives include planting London’s second largest Miyawaki forest in partnership with Energy Garden to tackle air pollution in the vicinity of Heathrow Airport. Located in Blenheim Park, Feltham, this project is set to see the planting of 5,500 new trees over several phases{{Cite web |last=Lynch |first=Philip James |date=2025-04-01 |title=West London set for whole new forest with 5,500 trees planted in park |url=https://www.mylondon.news/news/west-london-news/west-london-entire-new-forest-31320600 |access-date=2025-04-09 |website=My London |language=en}}.

Shaheen helped lead the campaign to save Park Road Allotments, a historic green space in Isleworth first used as allotments to feed wounded soldiers during World War I, from being developed into flats by the Duke of Northumberland, one of the UK’s wealthiest landowners{{Cite web |last=Burford |first=Rachael |date=2022-02-11 |title=Duke of Northumberland loses bid to build on Syon house allotments |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/london-allotments-hounslow-duke-of-northumberland-loses-bid-build-bridgerton-b960658.html |access-date=2025-04-09 |website=The Standard |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Media |first=P. A. |date=2023-08-01 |title=Homes proposal effort 'to line' Duke of Northumberland's pockets, inquiry told |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/aug/01/homes-proposal-an-effort-to-line-duke-of-northumberlands-pockets |access-date=2025-04-09 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}{{Cite news |date=2023-08-01 |title=Isleworth: Allotments plan bid to line duke's pockets, inquiry told |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-66372077 |access-date=2025-04-09 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Cuff |first=Madeleine |date=2021-06-02 |title=Duke of Northumberland accused of 'bully boy tactics' over plan to turn allotments into housing |url=https://inews.co.uk/news/duke-of-northumberland-bully-boy-tactics-plan-allotments-housing-1032584 |access-date=2025-04-09 |website=The i Paper |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Chappell |first=Arthi Nachiappan, Peter |date=2021-10-14 |title=Syon House peasants' revolt sees off Duke of Northumberland |url=https://www.thetimes.com/life-style/wildlife-nature/article/syon-house-peasants-revolt-sees-off-duke-of-northumberland-hdftb800d |access-date=2025-04-09 |website=www.thetimes.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2022-07-23 |title=Mega-rich Duke accused of fresh plot to 'bully' allotment holders off his land |url=https://metro.co.uk/2022/07/23/duke-of-northumberland-accused-of-new-plot-to-bully-allotmenteers-off-land-17052192/ |access-date=2025-04-09 |website=Metro |language=en}}. The campaign, which was widely covered by the UK press, was successful after development plans were rejected by the Planning Inspectorate in 2023 on grounds they would harm heritage assets{{Cite news |last=Abdul |first=Geneva |date=2023-12-12 |title=Duke of Northumberland loses fight to build on green space in west London |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/dec/12/duke-of-northumberland-loses-battle-to-build-on-green-space-in-west-london |access-date=2025-04-09 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}{{Cite news |last=Buchanan |first=Abigail |date=2024-01-07 |title=The allotment gardeners who took on a duke – and won |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/environment/2024/01/07/allotment-gardeners-duke-of-northumberland/ |access-date=2025-04-09 |work=The Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}{{Cite web |last=Bawden |first=Tom |date=2023-12-12 |title=Duke of Northumberland loses appeal to build flats on allotments |url=https://inews.co.uk/news/duke-northumberland-loses-appeal-2803645?srsltid=AfmBOoq6lBfThwxI-VeCgmoWwXKj-sWqjQfGww6Ha38-zgtzpVaH4APA |access-date=2025-04-09 |website=The i Paper |language=en-US}}. Shaheen described the decision as the "culmination of a David versus Goliath fight"{{Cite web |date=2023-12-12 |title=Isleworth: Allotment campaigners win 'David v Goliath battle' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqqplqdpp4ro |access-date=2025-04-09 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}.

In 2024, Shaheen partnered with celebrity chef Jamie Oliver to launch Oliver’s first-ever food education programme targeted directly at primary schools. The programme is designed to tackle childhood obesity and health inequalities by teaching essential food education and practical cooking skills to both children and their families{{Cite web |last=Keane |first=Daniel |date=2024-12-02 |title=Jamie Oliver launches campaign to target child obesity at London primary schools |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/jamie-oliver-child-obesity-primary-schools-b1197608.html |access-date=2025-04-09 |website=The Standard |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Bawden |first=Tom |date=2024-11-30 |title=Jamie Oliver's five tips to get your kids off the sofa and into the kitchen |url=https://inews.co.uk/news/jamie-olivers-five-tips-get-kids-off-sofa-into-kitchen-3405173?srsltid=AfmBOoomoXlWnuL885lrZ3WmT3Z5OJ4R0HIDwarxPlQTaUVCg1gE63mG |access-date=2025-04-09 |website=The i Paper |language=en-US}}.

In 2024, Gunnersbury Park in the London Borough of Hounslow faced strong criticism from local residents concerned about the number of music festivals held there. Despite opposition, Shaheen said he "fully supported" the park's events programme, which he claimed brought "world class musical acts" to the area{{Cite web |date=2024-08-01 |title=Gunnersbury Park: Concerns festivals are summer of disruption |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4ng6n50ervo |access-date=2025-04-09 |website=www.bbc.com |language=en-GB}}.

Shaheen has written for several prominent publications, including The Guardian, New Statesman, Huffington Post, Byline Times, New Internationalist, and Times of India{{Cite web |title=Salman Shaheen |url=https://www.collectiveinkbooks.com/roundfire-books/authors/salman-shaheen |access-date=2025-04-09 |website=Roundfire Books |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2016-04-04 |title=Mein Lahore Hoon |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/salman-shaheen/mein-lahore-hoon_b_9589646.html |access-date=2025-04-09 |website=HuffPost UK |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Shaheen |first=Salman |date=2013-09-12 |title=If Left Unity doesn't provide an alternative, who will? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/sep/12/left-unity-alternative |access-date=2025-04-09 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}{{Cite web |last=Shaheen |first=Salman |date=2013-04-10 |title=Pakistan Calling: Still hope at the end of the line |url=https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2013/04/pakistan-calling-still-hope-end-line |access-date=2025-04-09 |website=New Statesman |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |date=2010-02-19 |title=Swim Against This Tide |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/opinion/edit-page/Swim-Against-This-Tide/articleshow/5589129.cms?referral=PM |access-date=2025-04-09 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}{{Cite web |last=Shaheen |first=Salman |date=2025-02-14 |title='I'm a Labour Councillor and This Is Why My Party Should Ground Heathrow Plans and Rejoin the EU Instead' |url=https://bylinetimes.com/2025/02/14/heathrow-third-runway-labour/ |access-date=2025-04-09 |website=Byline Times |language=en-GB}}. His reporting on corporate tax avoidance has led to front-page stories in The Observer and coverage in the Financial Times and The Daily Telegraph{{Cite web |title=Salman Shaheen |url=https://www.collectiveinkbooks.com/roundfire-books/authors/salman-shaheen |access-date=2025-04-09 |website=Roundfire Books |language=en}}. From 2014-2017 he was editor-in-chief of The World Weekly{{Cite web |date=2021-01-12 |title=The World Weekly {{!}} Startup Salon {{!}} The Good Web Guide |url=https://archive.ph/20210112010054/https://www.thegoodwebguide.co.uk/interview/the-world-weekly/17387 |access-date=2025-04-09 |website=archive.ph}}.

Shaheen’s debut novel, Freebourne, is scheduled for publication on October 28, 2025, by Roundfire Books, an imprint of Collective Ink. The thriller follows Dr. Harry Coulson, an entrepreneur who, after personal upheavals, arrives in the town of Freebourne where he discovers a body and becomes entangled in a complex mystery.

Shaheen said he was inspired by dark, speculative stories that question the pace of technology and what it means for the human condition, including Kazuo Ishiguro’s Never Let Me Go and Black Mirror, and by his late friend and mentor Jill Paton Walsh who advised him: "If you want to try to say something meaningful about the world, you should smuggle it in a murder mystery."{{Cite web |title=Roundfire Books signs debut thriller from Salman Shaheen |url=https://www.thebookseller.com/rights/roundfire-books-signs-debut-thriller-from-salman-shaheen |access-date=2025-04-09 |website=The Bookseller |language=En}}

Shaheen was born in Norwich in 1984. He attended Jesus College, Cambridge, where he studied Social and Political Sciences and gained a double First{{Cite web |title=Salman Shaheen – Author of Freebourne |url=https://salmanshaheen.com/ |access-date=2025-04-09 |language=en-US}}. He later earned an MA in Creative Writing from the University of East Anglia. He resides in Brentford, West London{{Cite web |title=Salman Shaheen |url=https://www.collectiveinkbooks.com/roundfire-books/authors/salman-shaheen |access-date=2025-04-09 |website=Roundfire Books |language=en}}. In 2020, his wedding to Anna Ward was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic{{Cite web |last=Hossein-Pour |first=Anahita |date=2020-03-17 |title=Hounslow couple postpone their wedding due to coronavirus outbreak |url=https://www.mylondon.news/news/local-news/cloud-fear-over-coronavirus-forced-17939751 |access-date=2025-04-09 |website=My London |language=en}}.He has been a participant in TV quiz shows including The Weakest Link and The Chase{{Cite web |title=Five Facts About Cllr Salman Shaheen |url=https://hounslowherald.com/five-facts-about-cllr-salman-shaheen-p17637-95.htm |access-date=2025-04-09 |website=hounslowherald.com}}. Shaheen is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

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