Latest news with #JointMosquesCouncil
BBC News
21-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Peterborough City Council adopts Islamophobia statement
A city council has agreed to adopt an Islamophobia statement in a bid to support Muslim communities in the at Peterborough City Council were asked to draft the statement following a motion at full council in June statement includes a definition of Islamophobia and sets out some of the ways Muslims are impacted by Samantha Hemraj, who introduced the item at full council on Monday, said: "The council has been working closely with the joint mosque committee, local schools, the police and health providers." She said Islamophobia could have a "serious" impact in Muslim communities."The Islamophobia statement demonstrates a council commitment to supporting Muslim communities and fits alongside broader anti-racism policies and statements," she authority said it would encourage organisations and businesses it works with to adopt the statement and commit to "tackling the prejudice and disadvantage that Muslims can face".The city has a growing Muslim to the last census in 2021, 12.2% of people living in Peterborough described themselves as Muslim, compared with the average of 6.7% across Choudhuri, chair of the Joint Mosques Council Peterborough, said he was "absolutely delighted" with the decision to adopt the said: "It is now very clear so everybody is aware of what Islamophobia is and we need to work it out together how to eradicate the hate and Islamophobia."It's what I call a stepping stone in the right direction." Follow Peterborough news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
07-03-2025
- General
- BBC News
Peterborough mosques host Iftar to promote community cohesion
A chief constable and a council chief executive joined a city mosque as it hosted a community Iftar - an evening meal that breaks the Ramadan Joint Mosques Council (JMC) held the event on Thursday at the Salahaddin Community Centre in those who attended were Nick Dean, the Chief Constable of Cambridgeshire, and Matt Gladstone, Chief Executive of Peterborough City Choudhuri, JMC chairman, said the community was keen to "work together with all the public organisations to help improve inter-faith dialogue and community cohesion". 'Positive light' The holy month of Ramadan sees Muslims fast and refrain from eating or drinking between dawn and Choudhuri said the Muslim community "welcomes the support and solidarity shown by the police and the council" and he said he hoped to build on from the city's schools, university and the NHS were also at the Iftar. Some attendees of different faiths also observed the Ramadan Choudhuri added: "It is also not just about sharing a meal, but to understand and reflect on the significance of Ramadan."The community is still concerned about the safety as a consequence of events that previously have taken place around the country."But tensions have definitely calmed down a lot and we pray that things don't get as bad again."And events like these help to shed a positive light." 'Invaluable experience' Mr Dean said: "It was a wonderful opportunity for us to visit the centre during this special time and indeed to experience fasting even if only for one day."We have a really positive relationship with all the Mosques across the county and events like this give everyone the chance to come together, strengthen our understanding and deepen that relationship further."Mr Gladstone, said "working collaboratively is key".He added: "This experience is invaluable for appreciating and understanding the opportunities and challenges facing our city."Abstinence from food and water during the day does help us to recognise that some people in the world do not have the most basic essentials in life." Follow Peterborough news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
