Lights out at Eid!

A Muslim community leader has written to Rochdale Council complaining about the lack of Eid Lights in Milkstone & Deeplish Area on Eid ul Fitr.

Ghulam Rasul Shahzad, OBE, Chairman of BME Fire & Safety Education Association wrote: "Normally these Eid Lights are put up one week before Eid. The Eid ul Fitr was on 31 August and no sign of any Eid Lights.

"These Eid lights had been displayed for the last about 20 years or so and created a very positive feelings about the Rochdale Council.

"These Eid lights are considered to be an attraction for the customers to come to this commercial area.

"The Muslim Community from all over the Borough, and even from other towns and cities, come to the area for buying food/shopping and appreciate the good gesture of developing positive relationship between the local authority and the local Muslim community.

"We appreciate the cuts in budget but the businesses and residents in Milkstone & Deeplish area have not been consulted or informed about the non display of Eid Lights in the area nor the futue plans of the Rochdale Council to put up Eid Lights.

"I shall be thankful if these Eid lights are put up on Eid ul Adha in the first week of November, 2011."