An inspiration

Photo: CLIVE LAWRENCE

CHAMPS . . . Nanu Miah (left) and Afruz Miah with the award

OLDHAM Muslim Centre has received a prestigious award for its work to change perceptions of Islam in the wider community.

Volunteers received the Community Cohesion gong at the Fusion Awards, a celebration of the North-West’s most dedicated community workers, business people and unsung heroes.

Volunteers at the centre, in Neville Street, Chadderton, focus on serving the needs of the local area and working towards its common good.

Through their work, they demonstrate how religious centres can play a positive role in improving local neighbourhoods. Volunteers host seminars and workshops about religion to promote tolerance between different communities and have also encouraged local residents to raise money for charities in the borough.

Nanu Miah and Afruz Miah attended the awards ceremony at Blackburn’s Ewood Park on behalf of the centre.

Nanu said: “This is thanks to the help of our young volunteers. We only opened two years ago and we’re going from strength to strength.”

Fusion organiser Shuiab Khan added: “The work of Oldham Muslim Centre is an inspiration to us all.”