A COMMUNITY stalwart says he will be proud to represent Bradford after being invited to the King’s Coronation.

Humayun Islam, chairman and founder of the Bangla Bantams Bradford City supporters’ group, will take his place in Westminster Abbey for the Coronation ceremony of King Charles III and Queen Camilla on Saturday, May 6.

He will be one of 2,000 people at the historic event, taking his seat alongside heads of state, overseas Government representatives, Government ministers, First Ministers, former Prime Ministers, foreign royals and members of the Royal Family.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Humayun Islam with his invitation Humayun Islam with his invitation (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Islam says he replied to an initial invitation via email within seconds when he received it on March 3. He received the extravagantly decorated invitation through the post last weekend.

He has been told to take his place at the Abbey for 7am with the Coronation ceremony set to start at 11am. The King will be crowned at noon by The Archbishop of Canterbury when he places the St Edward’s Crown on Charles’s head.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: King Charles, pictured during his visit to Bradford in November 2022, will hold his coronation on May 6King Charles, pictured during his visit to Bradford in November 2022, will hold his coronation on May 6 (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Islam said: “It still hasn’t sunk in really. I never, ever thought I would be part of it. It’s a global event. It’s a historic event.

“To know about it and to just be in the UK to watch it on TV would have been a privilege.

 

“I’m truly blown away. I will tell my children and my grandchildren about it.

“I’ll be one of 2,000 guests at the event and will be part of that. I still won’t believe it until I set there.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: A closer look at Humayun Islam's invitation to King Charles III's coronation A closer look at Humayun Islam's invitation to King Charles III's coronation (Image: Newsquest)

“I just feel really, really proud. It’s a really proud moment. Not just for me, but for the whole community.

“I will be representing Bradford. You have to localise it further and I want to show Bradford in a positive light. It’s such a positive story.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Mr Islam will be getting suited and booted for May 6Mr Islam will be getting suited and booted for May 6 (Image: Newsquest)

“It just shows that when you do community work that the sky is the limit. It’s so important to give back to the community.

“The invitation is amazing. It’s really big. It’s really, really special.

“For The King to reach out and do this is amazing. It’s a wonderful feeling.”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: A closer look at the beautifully-decorated coronation inviteA closer look at the beautifully-decorated coronation invite (Image: Newsquest)

The invitation to the Coronation is the latest recognition for Mr Islam.

In January this year, he was honoured with a British Citizen Award (BCA) in recognition of his community work in Bradford.

The BCA recognises exceptional individuals who positively impact their communities throughout the country.

He set up the Bangla Bantams in 2015 which has helped to encourage more South Asian fans to attend Bantams home matches.