South Asian Heritage Month: Celebrating Roots to Routes

15/07/2025

This South Asian Heritage Month (Friday 18 July - Sunday 17 August), we’re celebrating the theme “Roots to Routes.”

Celebrating South Asian heritage in Tower Hamlets

Tower Hamlets is one of the most culturally diverse boroughs in London, and proudly home to one of the UK’s largest South Asian communities. A big number of residents have roots in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and other South Asian countries. In fact, over 30% of the population identifies as Bangladeshi, making this borough a vibrant centre of South Asian life, language, food, and culture.

This strong heritage is part of everyday life in Tower Hamlets. From family-run shops and restaurants to places of worship, festivals, and local traditions. That’s why celebrating South Asian Heritage Month is a way of recognising the stories, journeys, and contributions that continue to shape who we are as a community.

For South Asian Heritage month, we’re shining the light on Riaz Ullah – our Digital Skills Training Officer based at The Hive.

Riaz is passionate about technology and education and works closely with residents to build their confidence online.

“It’s not like a traditional classroom. We keep things lively, hands-on, and fun so people feel part of something and take away experiences that stay with them.”

Riaz

We’re also sharing the story of Bangladeshi women who worked in east London’s textile industry and celebrating those who helped shape our community through sewing.

Local resident Asma Begum shares memories of her mum, who stitched clothes from home as part of a wider network of women doing piecework. Together, they built new lives, supported their families, and stitched strength into the fabric of Tower Hamlets.

Asma and her mum

Events to celebrate South Asian Heritage Month

There’s lots of events going on around Tower Hamlets exploring the history and culture of our South Asian community, from food to fashion, storytelling, workshops and performances.

Visit the Tower Hamlets website to explore what’s on.

South Asian Heritage Month events