Shining a light on faith

Celebrating the Festival of Light 2010 are (back row, from the left) Rabbi Warren Elf, Anil Kara, Shamim Miah, Mufti Helal, Hafiz Mizam, Amal Said, (front, from the left) Faz Shah, Jenny Eden, Father Phil Sumner, Qari Shakir and Abida Rahim

FESTIVALS from different faiths followed in Oldham were celebrated at a joint event to bring people together.

December 1 was chosen for the Festival of Light 2010, which celebrated Christmas, Eid Ui-Adha, Chanukah and Diwali.

Held at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, the event was organised by Oldham Interfaith Forum, and got under way to the sounds of Crompton House School Brass Band.

People heard the stories behind the festivals celebrated by Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Christianity, before they were treated to a drum and dance performance from the Lee Street Temple Group.

The Interfaith Forum works throughout the year to bring people from different faiths together.

As part of One World week earlier in the year, it worked with Oldham Sixth Form college to stage an “any questions” event, in which 186 pupils took part.

It also arranges for schoolchildren to visit different places of worship across Oldham and Manchester.