Maya Ali (politician)

Ajijun Maya Ali (born 9 May 1969) is a British politician, Labour Party councillor for Westwood ward in Coventry, and solicitor.

Early life

Ali was born in Kojakabad, Bishwanath, Sylhet, East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). Ali’s parents are Aftab Ali and Monta Bibi. Ali immigrated to the United Kingdom at the age of 10 months with her mother to join her father, who was a factory worker. Ali was brought up in Hillfields, Coventry.

Education and career

Ali attended Lyng Hall School and left after completing GCSEs at the age of 16.

In 1985, Ali embarked on an Access course at Tile Hill College in Coventry and then went on to read LLB Law (Hons) at the University of Warwick as a mature student and graduated in 2000.

To gain training, Maya started by working in a law firm in London for four months, which meant being separated away from her family. She trained at J R Jones Solicitors, and qualified in 2005. She soon progressed herself as the head of conveyancing department.

In 2007, Maya opened a legal practice in partnership then parted the Partnership in March 2009 and set up her own legal practice, Maya & Co Solicitors, in Foleshill, Coventry as a sole practitioner.

Ali has been appointed as the legal executive for the Coventry Awami League Committee. She is also part of the “made in Coventry” campaign for the City College Coventry in their aim to influence student to study and achieve their ambitions.

In 2010, Ali stood and lost for the Conservative Party in St Michael’s ward in the Coventry City Council elections. In May 2012, after changing her party allegiance, she stood and won as the Labour candidate for Westwood ward, unseating her former Conservative Party colleague Marcus Lapsa.

Personal life

At the age of 16, Ali married Syed Akbar M Ali, the owner of a catering business. They have three children.

See also

  • British Bangladeshi
  • List of British Bangladeshis
  • List of ethnic minority British politicians

bn:মায়া আলি