Birmingham is a truly diverse, ethnic-majority city, with over 50% of its population identifying as non-White British in the 2021 Census. At the heart of this vibrant tapestry is the Pakistani community, numbering nearly 200,000 residents, making it the largest ethnic group after White British. A remarkable majority of these individuals trace their roots to one specific region: the Mirpur District of Azad Kashmir.

The journey of the Mirpuri diaspora to Birmingham began long ago. As early as the 1920s, even before the 1947 partition of British India, pioneers from Mirpur set sail via Bombay to work on merchant ships, eventually finding their way to the UK. A much larger wave of migration occurred in the 1960s, driven by the construction of the Mangla Dam, which displaced thousands from their homes. These Mirpuri Muslims migrated to the UK, seeking new lives as labourers, and many settled in Birmingham, becoming instrumental in rebuilding the city and the nation post-war.

Today, “Brummie Mirpuris” are fundamental to Birmingham’s identity as an amazing, successful, creative, and diverse international city. They are among our most successful businesspeople, highly accomplished civil servants, and hold significant political representation, with three of Birmingham’s eight Members of Parliament and over 20 of its 101 elected Councillors hailing from the Mirpuri community. These are just a few examples of the myriad success stories.

Reports have often cited a perceived lack of aspiration and an identity crisis within parts of the Mirpuri community as contributing factors to these inequalities, alongside structural discrimination. Growing up in inner-city Birmingham with multiple identities—as Muslims, with Kashmiri roots, and as British citizens—has presented unique challenges. Crucially, there’s a recognised need to better showcase positive role models and success stories from within the community to foster greater aspiration among younger generations.

Despite these challenges, Mirpuris in Birmingham have consistently broken glass ceilings, achieving immense success across various fields. Yet, their incredible journeys, the sacrifices made by the first generations, and their pivotal role in shaping modern Birmingham remain largely undocumented. Much of this invaluable history, particularly of the early pioneers, risks being lost as many are no longer with us.

‘Our Pioneers – From Mirpur to Birmingham’ aims to bridge this gap. We are dedicated to capturing these vital stories, celebrating the resilience of those who built new lives, and honouring the profound contributions that have made Birmingham the city it is today. We are proud to announce that we have already identified, interviewed, and captured the stories of a small, remarkable group of these pioneers. Many of these heartfelt interviews were conducted in a community language that the pioneers felt most comfortable speaking, ensuring we truly captured the depth of their experiences and emotions.

We invite you to explore these powerful narratives, available right here on this website. It’s time to document, celebrate, and share the untold stories of courage, contribution, and pioneering spirit that shaped Birmingham.