Pakistan Independence Day flag raising

Pakistan Independence Day Flag Raising

On the Independence Day of Pakistan, Wednesday 14 August 2013, the Pakistani Flag was raised outside the Town Hall. 

Maulana Mohammad Siddique Kausar recited verses of the holy Qur’an. 

Ghulam Rasul Shahzad OBE, Chairman of the Action for Pakistan, International,  gave the background of the Independence of Pakistan on 14 August, 1947. He explained more than a million people gave their lives to give Pakistan an identity, a new homeland and new vision. Under the leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, who was a barrister from London and led All India Muslim Leader, and with the commitment of the Muslims of United India, Pakistan emerged as an independent and sovereign country.

Mr Shahzad said: "Today is the 25 years of the flag raising outside the Town Hall for which the Pakistani community should be thankful to the Rochdale Borough Council, Members of Parliament, councillors for making this happen. 

"Rochdale is a multifaith and multicultural town.

"We should be proud of our Pakistani heritage but simultaneously Rochdale and the UK is our and our children homes."

He emphasised that we need to work together with the local community and play our important role in our daily lives i.e. helping, co-operating and supporting each other. "This will lead to community cohesion and better understanding of one another making Rochdale a better, more prosperous, cleaner and safer for us and our future generation", he added.  

The Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Peter Rush, thanked  Action for Pakistan, International for inviting him and the Mayoress to the Flag Raising and the Eid and Independence Day Lunch at Castlemere Community Centre later on.

Mayor Rush said he appreciated the efforts of the Action for Pakistan International to bring the communities together and working with the local community. He said; "Such events are important for us to know about the community, their culture and history."

Jim Dobbin, Member of Parliament for Middleton & Heywood said he had been attending the flag raising since when he was the leader of the Council. He has supported and would continue to support eventsleading to better understanding of each others culture and history. 

Councillor Sultan Ali, portfolio holder of the strengthening communities, said he was pleased to see so many people, including women and children, attending the flag raising: "It is good to see that all communities in Rochdale are working together leading to community cohesion."

Jim Taylor, Chief Executive of the Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council said the Council is doing its best to provide services to the local communities and would continue to do so. He added: "It is good to see that there is community cohesion in Rochdale and people from all communities working together."

Chief Inspector Nadeem Mir of Greater Manchester Police,  also said community cohesion is good for the town and all the communities in the Borough of Rochdale. He said Greater Manchester Police is doing its best to employ people from the BME communities and people should come forward and join the GMP. 

The Pakistani flag was raised and the National Anthem of the UK and Pakistan were played.

All those present were invited to Castlemere Community Centre where the Eid and Independence Day lunch was served.

Tahir Mahmood, Chairman of the Rochdale Council of Mosques, highlighted the role of the Rochdale Council of Mosques and working with the Police, Rochdale Council, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Services and other organisations for better and improved services for the local Muslim community.

Chairman of the Action for Pakistan International, Ghulam Rasul Shahzad OBE JP, thanked everyone.