Christians, Jews, Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims were among the 200 people who gathered at the Ilford Muslim Community Centre on Thursday 13 December to celebrate the Mawlid, Christmas and Chanukah. Among the guests were members of the British Armed Forces, the Royal Air Force, as well as officials from the Israeli Embassy and the Pakistan High Commission.

Bashir Chaudhry, who is the chairman of the League of British Muslims spearheaded the event. He told the Ilford Recorded that: “It was quite wonderful… Redbridge is one of the most diverse boroughs and yet it has managed to be one of the most integrated and cohesive in the country…My purpose for holding this event, celebrating all the religious festivals, was to ensure that there is community cohesion and an opportunity for people from different faiths to meet, network and share food.

“It was a hugely successful event, one that demonstrates that there is a need for more events of this nature.” During the course of the evening, Rabbi Hulbert took to the stage to light the candles of the Chanukah Menorah while reciting a prayer in Hebrew.

Source: 5pillars