The Muslim Jewish Forum of Greater Manchester
Established to develop the cultural and social ties between the Muslim and Jewish communities of Greater Manchester
1 June 2014
On Sunday evening 1 June 2014, thirty members of people from the Forum, including several first time attendees, enjoyed an excellent meal and convivial atmosphere at the Al Maidah Asian banquet hall and restaurant in Manchester.
Our Co-Founder Cllr Afzal Khan CBE, who had just been elected as an MEP, was presented with a celebration cake made and donated by the restaurant. He stated "The Forum has grown so much in the past nine years and it will always have a special place in my heart and I will continue to deliver its message in Europe"
The Forum's Secretary Heather Fletcher had written a poem for Afzal which she read out. It is reproduced below with her permission.
Achievements of Afzal
I wish to write a tribute to my very good friend
Whose successes and achievements never seem to end
In the past he has driven Taxis and even a large bus
He drove them efficiently with a minimum of fuss!
He has been a Policeman on the beat
And even a Butcher chopping up meat!
But he really began to excel and came to the fore
When he qualified as a Solicitor after reading Law
He became a Councillor for Manchester City Council in Albert Square
And then in 2005, he became Manchester’s first Asian Lord Mayor
With Henry, he co-founded our Muslim Jewish Forum nine years ago
And he has seen our Forum win a National Award and steadily grow
His personality is warm, friendly, caring and he can also be witty
And he has vastly improved all Inter Faith relations in our city
He has treated all his experiences as new learning curves
And through sheer hard work he has reaped the success he deserves
So it came as no surprise that someone who started his working life in a Mill
Went on to get a CBE from Prince Charles which was a great thrill
He is very tall and an imposing figure but I am not sure whether he has big muscles
But I am certain that he will represent the North West people excellently in Brussels !
May your achievements continue to inspire everyone you talk to and see
I wish you all the very best in the European Parliament, AFZAL KHAN MEP
Heather D. Fletcher © 2014
Heather Fletcher stated " I think in terms of equal attendance of Muslims and Jews, new faces and social interaction this was one of our best ever events. I think it shows that the Forum is in good shape as we enter our tenth year."
Forum Co-Chair Jonny Wineberg said “"These social events strengthen relationships and understanding between our two communities and run alongside the work we do on defending religious slaughter and circumcision, challenging antisemitism and Islamophobia and educating future generations about our faiths."
The picture below shows many of the attendees. Afzal Khan is seated next to the cake.
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The Muslim Jewish Forum of Greater Manchester
Established to develop the cultural and social ties between the Muslim and Jewish Communities of Greater Manchester