Mayor says - we need to promote ‘patience, tolerance and understanding’ at Interfaith event

The Interfaith and Communities together event at Deeplish Community Centre to mark interfaith and community cohesion week on 12 November was attended by more than 100 people and connected many service users and residents of the borough.

The event was opened with the welcome of Imam MirAzam from Neeli Mosque. He mentioned the importance of faith and cultural values and its diversity within borough and emphasised the importance of unity, tolerance and positive values we all share with each other.

Rev Mark Colman highlighted the interfaith work in Rochdale and mentioned positive activities during the Month of Ramadan and community unity throughout the year.

He said: “Faith is a spiritual matter and we should support our neighbourhoods and promote brotherhood through faith.

“My experience in Rochdale has been very much welcoming and enriched with faith and cultural diversity.”

Hafiz M Ikram, a local Imam and community leader said: “It’s important to value achievements through hard work, to gain anything through illegal means is temporary and carries no value, respect or standing in the community.

“Young people should follow positive values and pride using faith as one of the fundamental values.”

There were many participants from local and regional organisations providing update and promoting positive experience through services as part of interfaith work and positive actions in providing services to communities.

Representatives from Link4Life, WEA, Living Well, Rochdale Community Safety, GM Police team, Rochdale Islamic Academy, Rochdale Football Club, Living well Rochdale, Deeplish Children centre, local Imams, Church representatives, teachers and Community leaders, Recycling promotion team attend this event.

Mayor Mohammed Zaman said: “It’s important to highlight the many events to mark and celebrate interfaith week.

“We are created to respect, support and promote peace.

“Three key things we need to promote are: ‘Patience, tolerance and understanding’.

“Good work goes on in this Community Centre throughout the year and key people and services are connected with local neighbourhoods.

“Deeplish as a Hub is important as is its good work to support our communities.

“I thank all participants and organisers of this event.”

The event was closed by Robin Parker from the Multipath Partnership and he described his experience of different faiths and cultures whilst living in Rochdale, as a former councillor and former mayor. 

Robin said: "Celebrating faiths, cultural values and our experiences are an essential part of our local community."