The Burnley and Pendle Friends League hosted a multi-faith Christmas get together in Nelson.

The gathering at the Ambulance Hall, Oak Street was attended by Muslims and Christians, of both Asian and English heritage. Speakers on the day spoke passionately about the ongoing killings in Palestine.

General Secretary of the Burnley and Pendle Friends League (BPFL) Mozaquir Ali said: “It was pleasure to invite everyone and preside over such an exceptional gathering of people of faiths, and with the deaths and destruction in the Holy Land, there is no peace in our heart, our mind, our home, our community, our country and our world. 

"Hence it is peace that is much desired and needed in the current state of affairs.

“We at BPFL felt it was important and more appropriate to assemble together as people of faiths in empathy, in unity, solidarity and friendship to demonstrate publicly that we are all united against all forms of violence, oppression, extremism and all forms of evil. 

"We shared our views, had conversations with one another and prayed together for peace in our hearts, our homes, our families, our communities, our countries and our world”.

The Bishop of Blackburn Rt Revd, Philip North said, “We were deeply united for world beloved for peace and a shared commitment for peace and keeping the people of Gaza very much in our prayers.”

MP for Pendle Andrew Stephenson said it was brilliant to see Muslims and Christian communities together and praying for peace.

"It is the time of the year when everyone reflects on the things that going on in the world, particularly in the Middle East where we see heartbreaking scenes on our TV screen ever day.

"I pray tribute to the organisers for bringing us together to pray for peace.”

Mayor of Burnley Cllr Arif Khan added: “I was overwhelmed with the sincerity and emotions displayed at the gathering and prayers for peace. We urge and plea to our Government to work hard to a complete ceasefire in Palestine”. 

Lancashire Telegraph:

Chairman of BPFL Saghir Ahmed said: “Our get together was a brilliant success which attracted high profiled speakers and audience and we prayed for peace in the world specially for people of Gaza”.

Chaplain at East Lancashire NHS Trust Moulana Fazal Rehman said, “It was great show solidarity of people of different faiths and a manifestation of religious tolerance and understanding.”

Clinical Director of Burnley Primary Network Dr Yasara Naheed, said: “It was an amazing event of people of different faiths and backgrounds coming to together to a discuss the atrocities and suffering of people in Faza and pray for peace.”

Cllr Syeda Misbah Kazmi said: ”Excellent work by Burnley and Pendle Friends League in organising this event which speaks volumes for peace for the world specially Gaza, tolerance and harmony in our community.”