People stand united in the call for peace
COMMUN I T I ES from across Rochdale came together for a special concert to show solidarity with the victims of the Manchester, London and other terrorist attacks.
More than 280 people attended the ‘We Stand Together Peace Concert’ at Heywood Civic Centre.
The concert began with a minute’s silence, led by the Mayor and Mayoress of Rochdale Coun Ian and Christine Duckworth, to remember victims of terrorism.
A host of multicultural performances by local western, Asian and African performers from singers and musical bands to bhangra dancing then took to the stage.
Guest speakers included Rochdale MP Tony Lloyd, Heywood and Middleton MP Liz McInnes, Heywood parish priest Father Paul Daly, Dobir Miah from the Rochdale Council of Mosques, Insp Andrew Riley and Robin Parker from the Multi-Faith Partnership.
Mohammed Sarwar, chief executive of CWTC, said: “It was a pleasure to organise this fantastic community event which really celebrated the cultural diversity of our borough.
“I would like to thank everyone involved in the event for their outstanding contributions. I think the concert really paved the way forward for us all as one community standing together.”
Everyone who attended the concert was given the opportunity to share their thoughts on the way forward for the borough’s communities.
Coun Janet Emsley, cabinet member for neighbourhoods, community and culture, also attended the concert.
She said: “I thoroughly enjoyed the peace concert. It was an evening of excellent entertainment and togetherness which unequivocally showed how local neighbourhoods can work together in our community to achieve great things for great causes. Well done to everyone involved.”
Coun Duckworth, said “It was fantastic to see so many people of different races and religions coming together for a great night of celebration and remembrance. I hope that community events such as this one continue to lead the way towards a cohesive, caring and strong borough.”
The concert was organised by the Centre of Wellbeing, Training & Culture in partnership with Rochdale council, Greater Manchester Police, Link4Life and local communities,