His kofia, the flat cylindrical hat favoured by Somali Muslims, gleams white as he picks me up at the station. A flowing kameez tunic gathers in his lap beneath the steering wheel.
‘Welcome to Leicester, sharif [Sir]!’ says ‘Ahmed’ with a grin.
Originally from Somalia, Ahmed – he doesn’t want me to use his real name – is a publisher, amateur historian and part-time imam. He will be my guide to the city.
‘Are you a meat person?’ he asks. ‘Let’s go eat.’
