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Asian applicants vie for London community radio licence

Radio desk

Three applicants have applied for a London community radio station licence, its been confirmed.

Ofcom published the names of the 22 applicants, out of which three were for Muslim/Urdu services.

The applicants are:

AIMS FM, which intends to serve a diverse BME communities residing in Hounslow, this includes a very large Muslim community in Hounslow. In its application, AIMS FM said it will provide a platform that will be primarily speech based community radio station with education, empowerment and entertainment for the under-served diverse Muslim Community of Hounslow. This would be delivered through a variety of appealing and targeted programming with distinct styles to suit the audiences and their needs.

Danaq FM will target Asian people in general and Urdu speaking people specifically, living in and around the Gants Hill/Ilford area which extends to cover the London Boroughs of Redbridge, Newham and Waltham Forest. Its programming will include: Bhangra, Bollywood, Folk and classic Asian songs and hits that are made overseas and in the UK. The station says it will operate a diverse radio schedule that focus’s upon Asian communities in and around Ilford, Gants hill and the surrounding areas.

Radio Minhaj will provide a service that is reflective of multicultural Britain – one that reflects and celebrates the achievements, aspirations, culture and values of the unique heterogeneous make up of Newham. Currently there is no community radio station in the area that covers education, training and religious format in this manner. It will attempt to engage in learning programs from across the UK where the Muslim population is prevalent and face similar difficulties. Such engagement will help address issues where the community characteristics are comparable and helps to combat isolation, loneliness, depression and radicalization as well as encouraging interaction between communities.

Ofcom is expected to award the licence to the winning applicant in early 2017.