Mayor’s charity dinner 2018

Date published: 15 August 2018

Rochdale Town Hall was packed for the Mayor’s annual charity dinner to celebrate Pakistan’s 71st Independence Day on Tuesday (14 August).

Guests and dignitaries, including Tony Lloyd MP, the Mayor of Oldham, Javid Iqbal, local police officers and the Consul General of Pakistan, Aamar Aftab Quersh, were treated to a lavish three-course dinner.

The dinner followed a flag raising and day of family-friendly celebrations at the Town Hall with stalls providing items associated with Pakistan heritage, face painting, traditional foods, beauty products and accessories, children’s toys and arts and craft activities.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/121330/71st-independence-day-of-pakistan-celebrated-at-town-hall

Pakistan Independence Day commemorates the declaration of Pakistan as a sovereign nation, following the end of the British Raj in 1947 and is a national holiday in Pakistan.

Anwar Shad lead the evening, which featured fantastic entertainment from King of Folk, Akram Rahi and Gujrati Raja Naeem.

Mohammed Zaman, Mayor of Rochdale, said: “I am pleased to see the community coming together.

“I have only been the Mayor of Rochdale for three months and it pleases me to see so many people giving their free time in small community groups that continue to help each other.

“It is my passion to promote diversity, community cohesion and develop a positive understanding between the people of different faiths: I want to help community groups, promote their aims and objectives and raise funds for smaller groups especially my chosen charities.

“Thank you to everyone for sharing their time and spirit and helping to raise funds through the Mayor’s charity dinners. I would especially like to say thank you to everyone who has helped to make this event so special.”

Mohammed Sheraz, the Mayor’s Consort, said: “The Mayor’s charity dinner is about peace and harmony: we live in a town with such a diverse community, our strengths are that we support and help each other. I wish everyone peace love and harmony.”

Sarah Mahmood, former member of the UK Youth Parliament for the Borough of Rochdale, commented: “I am very pleased and honoured to have helped organise this amazing event.

“I wish everyone a happy Independence Day.”

Aamar Aftab Quersh, Consul General of Pakistan, added: “I am honoured to participate in this ceremony.

"Many volunteers have contributed from the Pakistani community over the past decade.

"Cultural diversity is a strength in Rochdale and these events bring the community together and help to integrate and understand each other.”

Organiser Shahid Sardar said: “I was so happy to see the flag raising and families joining in with the celebrations. 71 years of independence and understanding. I am happy to be part of this rich and diverse community.”

Funds raised from the sale of tickets, raffles and prize draws will be donated to the Mayor's designated charities: Springhill Hospice, Petrus, British Heart Foundation, Parkinson UK, Rochdale Community Partnership and Moorend Trust.