Ramadan event helps victims of terror outrage

ONE Last Time . . . Livia Luckson performs on stage

MEMBERS of different faiths joined together to share Ramadan and support unity in Greater Manchester following the Manchester Arena Attack.

The event saw local Muslims and non-Muslims from across the region gather at Oxford Road's Contact Theatre for a night of food, talks, prayer, and music as part of the #ShareRamadan initiative.

Oldhamer Sam Malik organised the event and described the evening as an attempt "to bring people together in solidarity, and to strengthen unity and relationships among communities", particularly in the wake of the recent tragedies in Manchester and London and the backlash against local Muslim communities.

Fellow organiser Andy Hall, a mentoring adviser and Christian from Oldham, fasted in support prior to the event and explained how this had been a difficult but, important experience, which had given him time to reflect.

More than 100 people attended the evening, which started with speeches, including Dr Siema Iqbal, a local GP, whose trauma surgeon husband had treated victims of the Arena attack but whose children were scared to go to school by bus the next day due to a fear of Islamophobic attacks.

There was also time to chat, laugh and sing alongside 12-year-old Livia Luckson, who performed a rendition of Ariana Grande's "One Last Time".