Multi-Faith Partnership support 'We Stand Together' event

Photo: Ann Jones

Members of Rochdale Borough's Multi-Faith Partnership at the ‘We Stand Together’ event

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Members of the Borough's Multi-Faith Partnership supported a ‘We Stand Together’ community cohesion event held at Heaton Park Synagogue on Sunday 4 September.

‘We Stand Together’ is a police initiative which encourages people to come together as one and celebrate their differences in order to build a safer and stronger United Kingdom.

Members of the Multi-Faith Partnership from Middleton, Heywood and Rochdale attended. Among the group was Father Paul Daly from Our Lady and St. Joseph’s Catholic Parish, Heywood, who was accompanied by Father Marcin Sadowski, a visiting colleague from the Diocese of Plock in Poland.

Father Daly said: “I was privileged to stand in Auschwitz last month with Bishop John and ninety young people from Greater Manchester and Lancashire.

“That terrible place and the horrors of the Shoah powerfully bring home the evil that arises from hatred and intolerance. That's why it is so important that we meet together, not just to learn from each other but also to work together. We need to speak humbly but confidently of God in a world that needs to hear of him. Together we can pray for each other and for our world.”

Saiqa Naz, of the Multi-Faith Partnership, acknowledged how Judaism and her own faith of Islam share the same historic roots. This was her first visit to a synagogue and she was very keen at the prospect of being shown around.

Also speaking was Hani Singh of the Sikh community. Mr Singh spoke from the perspective of helping young people to be more involved for themselves in community cohesion events. Often older people speak too much on their behalf rather than listening to what they have to contribute, he explained.

Rabbi Daniel led a tour of the synagogue and answered questions from the group about Judaism and worship at the synagogue.

The group was shown how the sacred scrolls are kept and Rabbi Daniel explained about the respect the scrolls are given when they are stored, taken out and read. It can take a whole year for a scribe to carefully and meticulously copy a scroll, said Rabbi Daniel.

Members of the Hebrew congregation provided buffet refreshments whilst visitors were able to network and get to know each other.

Robin Parker, Chairman of the Multi-Faith Partnership, said: “The great thing about this gathering was that it enabled people of different faiths, including Christians, Jews and Muslims to enjoy each other’s company as ordinary British citizens without prejudice, away from domestic and world tensions where, sadly, similar communities may experience racism, xenophobia and oppression.”