Rochdale marks Kashmir National Day with flag raising and charity dinner

The event was widely attended by local officials, community leaders, and residents.

Rochdale commemorated Kashmir National Day on 24 October with a series of community events, including a flag-raising ceremony and a charity dinner, honouring the local Kashmiri community and supporting charitable causes.

The events were organised by the Rochdale Kashmiri Association (RKA) and were widely attended by local officials, community leaders, and residents.

The day began with a flag-raising ceremony outside Rochdale Town Hall, marking a tradition that began in 2012 when Rochdale became the first town in the United Kingdom to raise the Kashmir flag in celebration of Kashmir National Day.

Among the attendees were the Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Shakil Ahmed, deputy mayor Janet Emsley, elected officials, community leaders, and members of Rochdale’s large Kashmiri community.

After the ceremony, refreshments were hosted by the Kashmiri Youth Project (KYP) for all participants. During the gathering, Mayor Shakil Ahmed cut a celebratory cake and expressed his gratitude to KYP for their ongoing support of the local Kashmiri community.

He said, “It is vital that we come together to raise awareness about the challenges faced in Kashmir.”

In the evening, a charity dinner was held at KYP to support the mayor’s designated charities, drawing an attendance of over 120 people. Guests included the MP for Rochdale, Paul Waugh; leader of Rochdale Council, Neil Emmott; deputy leader Daalat Ali and mayor Shakil Ahmed. Councillor Shah Wazir compered the evening, which featured speeches, music, and entertainment, creating an atmosphere of unity and support.

The mayor emphasised the importance of raising awareness about the situation in Kashmir and encouraged community members to participate in events that showcase their heritage and identity. 

A £500 cheque was presented to the mayor for his charities by Javed Akhtar, chair of the Rochdale Kashmiri Association, who expressed his thanks to both Zulf Ahmed and KYP for supporting the event.

Javed also thanked everyone involved in the events and reiterated the need to call on the international community to recognise and address the rights and needs of the Kashmiri people.

Both the flag-raising ceremony and the charity dinner reflected Rochdale’s commitment to supporting the Kashmiri community and underscored the importance of unity in the face of ongoing challenges.