Hundreds turn out to show ‘peace and love’ at Rochdale Memorial Gardens in wake of Manchester Arena atrocity

Date published: 23 May 2017

'Peace and love' was the cry as hundreds of people turned out at a vigil in Rochdale Memorial Gardens to stand in solidarity with Manchester on Tuesday (23 May) following the atrocity perpetrated at Manchester Arena.

Sarah Jane Pickles organised the vigil in the early hours of the morning with her friends, Ashley Maude and Charlotte Cosgrave, following the horrific terrorist attack that left 22 people dead just minutes after Ariana Grande finished her performance at the Arena on Monday night.

Sarah Jane said: “We decided to bring everyone together to show our solidarity with Manchester. We wanted to show we are not divided. We are standing together, very much with Manchester. It’s really important we are not divided by terrorists, racists or xenophobes. Every colour, faith, religion, sex and gender is welcome in this town and always will be.”

Prayers followed, read by Reverend Mark Coleman and Reverend Shanny Webster.

Mudassir Yasin, of the Pakistani and Kashmiri Community Association (PCKA), read a prayer from the Qur’an in both Arabic and an English translation:

Whoever kills a person [unjustly]… it is as though he has killed all mankind. And whoever saves a life, it is as though he had saved all mankind.” (Qur’an, 5:32)

Shahid Mohammed, also from the PKCA, said: “There is nothing in my religion, Islam, which teaches and condones this. It is not in my faith; we need to join and stand united.

“They are not even animals; they are nothing to do with humanity.”

He finished by paying tribute to the emergency services for their committed work during this difficult time.

Everyone held hands and cried 'Peace and love' before candles were lit and tributes laid to those no longer with us. One Muslim lady provided sandwiches for those paying tribute.

Members of the Council, including Leader Richard Farnell, numerous councillors, Chief Executive Steve Rumbelow and prospective MP candidates Andy Kelly, Jane Howard, Tony Lloyd, Andy Littlewood and Simon Danczuk all showed their solidarity by attending.

Police, including Inspector Andrew Riley, also showed their support.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/110228/22-dead-and-scores-injured-in-terror-attack-at-manchester-arena

Vigil in Rochdale Memorial Gardens
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