MAYOR Dorothy Thornhill is the right person to lead Watford into a bright multi-cultural future, according to the man behind the town's Arabic School.

Dr Abdel Ghany Saleh paid glowing tribute to Mayor Thornhill at an event celebrating her recent election victory.

He said she had "clear vision, clear aims and clear logic", adding: "Allah has blessed her with wisdom."

Dr Saleh, who set up the school in 1983, said: "The future of Watford is in very good hands indeed. The sun will rise on Watford for as long as the mayor is leading."

He was speaking at a ceremony, held at Laurance Haines School, Vicarage Road, on Sunday.

Pupils read from the Koran, Islam's holy book.

The mayor was presented with an Egyptian vase and a card signed by pupils.

She was applauded for her long commitment to understanding the different cultures in Watford.

Dr Saleh said Mayor Thornhill, a Catholic, had shown herself keen to learn about other religions.

He said: "It shows how truthful and open minded she is. Not many people have the courage to admit what they don't know."

He referred to her comments made more than three years ago, when she visited the school as civic mayor.

"She said 'all religions should pull together' which shows the calibre of our mayor," said Dr Saleh.

In his opinion, this was behind many among Watford's minority communities to back Mrs Thornhill.

June 17, 2002 12:30