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, thorough 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 taking the lead."

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

Pupils delivered a reading from the Qur'an, Islam's holy book. Then the mayor was presented with an Egyptian vase and a card signed by school members.

And Mayor Thornhill was applauded for her long commitment to understanding the different cultures which make up Watford's community.

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.

The Arabic School founder said these credentials were behind the decision of many among Watford's minority communities to back the Liberal Democrat.

In the aftermath of the mayoral election, Labour party members said a factor in their defeat had been the loss of backing by the Muslim community.

Speaking at Sunday's event, Mayor Thornhill directed her comments at the children.

A teacher by profession, she told them learning was not enough.

She said: "It's important to learn, but there is something more important and that is to question, to ask questions and seek the truthful answers not always to obey."

The mayor added: "Lets remember in Watford it's what we have got in common that is good. People always talk about differences but lets celebrate what we share."

June 10, 2002 17:30