Islamic Awareness Week

Date published: 23/11/2005

Rochdale launched the Islam Awareness Week (IAW) on Sunday evening.  Deen for All working with its sister organisation Sports for All, hosted a special three hour event.  The audience consisted of youth workers, social workers, community leaders from KYP, Wardleworth and Deeplish, as well representatives from various Mosques in Rochdale. The main hall was full to its capacity with  450 people in attendance.

Throughout the country this week there will follow a series of events and exhibitions. The aim of IAW is to promote a better understanding of Islam.

Sheikh Yaha opened the event and spoke along with Sheikh Shakir, who is secretary of the Multi Faith Forum.

The Mayor, Councillor Ashley Dearnley, also addressed the audience. He congratulated Deen 4 All along with the sponsors for making the event possible. The Mayor went on to stress his support for community initiatives and stressed the need for those of different faiths to continue to work together.

Councillor Paul Rowen, MP also discussed the importance of the awareness week and his hope to see an end to religious ignorance and discrimination. Mr Rowen went to explain his meetings with different Muslim communities, to ensure they are not isolated and his support for raising the much needed funds for the victims of Kashmir.

Hanief Mohammed Deen for All’s Communications Director commented “We were delighted with the huge turnout. We never like to see people being turned away, but once we reached the 450 capacity, we were advised no one else was to be allowed entry into the Town Hall. However, we would like to thank everyone who attended and to those who helped us made the event such a wonderful success.”      

There was a collection in the evening to raise money following the recent Earthquake disaster. Over £600 was collected and will go towards helping the orphanages in Kashmir.