Flag raised for Pakistan Independence Day

Flag raised for Pakistan Independence Day

A flag raising ceremony took place on Saturday (14 August 2010) outside Rochdale Town Hall to mark the Independence Day of Pakistan.

The Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Zulfiqar Ali, MP Simon Danczuk, the Deputy Leader of Rochdale Council, Councillor Ashley Dearnley and other representatives from organisations across the borough attended the ceremony.

Maulana Mohammad Azam Chishti of Chishtiah Mosque and a member of the Rochdale Council of Mosques recited the verses of the holy Qur’an.

Ghulam Rasul Shahzad OBE JP welcomed everyone and thanked them for their attendance. He said: “We are celebrating this Independence Day with mixed feelings of happiness and sorrows as the worst flood of its history had affected Pakistan.

“Thousands have lost their lives; millions are homeless, without food, shelter and medicine. He said there was urgent need to send food, clothes, medicines and any financial help people could send.”

He commended the financial support by the people of Rochdale both now and during the earthquake in 2005 when a substantial amount was raised and sent to Pakistan.

MP Simon Danczuk, said he was pleased to be part of the flag raising ceremony, as it is a special day for the Pakistani community.

Councillor Ashley Dearnley said he was pleased to be part of the Flag rising which shows the respect people of Rochdale have for all communities in Rochdale.

Mayor Ali said it was a great day for Pakistan and people of Pakistan. Pakistanis had made tremendous progress in the UK in general and Rochdale in particular. He said the people of Rochdale are with Pakistan in this critical time.

National anthems of the UK and Pakistan were played when the Pakistani flag was being raised.