Social Media Greets New London Mayor Sadiq Khan

Sadiq Khan, Britain's Labour Party candidate for Mayor of London, speaks following his victory in the London mayoral election at City Hall in London, Britain, May 7, 2016. REUTERS/Toby Melville.

This is What’s Trending Today…

Sadiq Khan is the new mayor of London.

Khan is the son of Pakistani immigrants. He is the first Muslim elected as mayor of a major Western capital.

Khan, a civil rights lawyer, was the British Labour Party candidate. He won 57 percent of votes in local elections last week to defeat Zac Goldsmith of the rival Conservative Party.

In his acceptance speech, Khan said he never dreamed someone like him could be elected mayor of London.

“I want every single Londoner to get the opportunities that our city gave to me and my family. The opportunities not just to survive, but to thrive…”

After his election, Khan received a number of congratulations on social media.

One came from American Hillary Clinton, who is seeking the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination.

Clinton wrote: “Son of a Pakistani bus driver, champion of workers' rights and human rights, and now Mayor of London. Congrats.”

Actor William Shatner also sent a message of congratulations. He did it in a way related to his part as Captain Kirk in the 1960s television show “Star Trek.” The TV series led to a number of “Star Trek” movies, including one called “The Wrath of Khan.”

In the film, Captain Kirk shouts the name of his enemy, Khan, in a dramaticmoment.

William Shatner’s message to Sadiq Khan read: “Khaaaaaaaaannnnnnnnn!!! Congratulations, Mr. Mayor!”

This is Khan’s first week as mayor. He took over from Boris Johnson, who held the job for eight years.

In one of his first official acts, Khan attended a memorial ceremony at a sports center in North London. He joined thousands of Jews there on Sunday to remember victims of the Holocaust during World War II.

On Twitter, Khan wrote: “So important to reflect, remember and educate about the 6 million Jewish lives lost in the Holocaust.”

Monday morning, the new mayor took public transportation to work. The ride from his home in South London to City Hall took about 40 minutes.

Khan had a big day Monday, his first full day as mayor. He made his first tweet from the @MayorofLondon Twitter handle.

“I’m having a fantastic 1st day on the job as your new Mayor,” he wrote. “I felt very welcomed by all who greeted me this morning.”

And that’s What’s Trending Today.

I’m Dan Friedell.

Dan Friedell wrote this story for Learning English. George Grow was the editor.

What do you think of London’s new mayor? We want to know. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page.

Words in This Story

rival – n. a person or thing that tries to defeat or be more successful than another

dramatic – adj. often showing a lot of emotion : tending to behave and react in an exaggerated way

thrive – v. to grow or develop successfully : to flourish or succeed

mayor – n. the leader of government in a city or town