The great and good of Reading gathered for a Christmas event to promote unity and diversity.
Every year, the Reading Pakistani community holds a Christmas lunch to share values and togetherness for people of all cultures and faiths.
Community champions in the town were brought together for speeches, food and fellowship. Haroon Abbasi Al Azhari, Imam of the South Street Mosque, began the event to welcome guests.
He reflected on the shared reverence of Jesus and Mary in Islam and Christianity.
Dr Ejaz Elahi, who introduced the speakers, said that Christmas lunch would be a more sombre event this year given the ongoing bloodshed in Gaza.
The event has run for 17 years since the first Christmas lunch was organised by Mian Saleem Snr.
He said: "It's an event of peace and shared values, we've got people from all political parties here, and people of all different faiths, from churches, and our friends in the media.
"This event brings everyone together in one room, and we look forward to more in the years to come!"
Mr Saleem Jnr said: "It's an event that promotes unity. The way things are going around the world at the moment, it's never been a better time to show solidarity and unity, and that's what this event is all about."
Councillor Tony Page (Labour, Abbey), the Mayor of Reading said: “Within Reading we have diversity and from that diversity comes a great deal of strength.
“It’s something we as a community have worked on for many years, I’ve played my part and many others in this room have as well.”
Jason Brock, the leader of Reading Borough Council, said: “I thank the people that have come here to this lunch, it’s a really important statement of community cohesion in Reading.
“It’s so important, because community centres are not just buildings, they are activities that happen within them, and events like this bring people together in celebration but also moments of sombre reflection.
“I’m grateful to everyone who has organised it.”
Matt Rodda the Labour MP for Reading East said: “I thank the Reading Pakistani Community for their support for tolerance and diversity in our local town, and their thoughtfulness at this time.
“And I’d like to wish you all a merry Christmas, a happy New Year and seasons greetings in whatever way you are celebrating this time of year.”
Right Reverend Olivia Graham, the Bishop of Reading, noted that she was the first female speaker.
Reflecting on references in the Quran of Jesus and Mary, she said: “It reminds us of the shared foundations which we have as Abrahamic faiths.
“Thank you so much for your hospitality.”
After the speeches, guests tucked into chicken, rice, chickpeas, sundries and rice pudding.
Among those present were Reading councillors Amjad Tarar and Wendy Griffith (both Labour, Battle), Mohammed Ayub and Karen Rowland (both Labour, Abbey) and Rob White (Green, Park) the leader of the opposition.
Fellow Labour activists Sikandar Hayat and George Matthew were seen amongst party members.
Also present were electoral rivals Hanif Khan and cllr Rachel Eden (Labour, Whitley), who are both competing to be the Labour candidate for the new Earley and Woodley constituency.
The event was attended by representatives from Earley as well, including councillors Clive Jones (Liberal Democrats, Hawkedon) a parliamentary candidate for Wokingham, Shahid Younis (Conservative, Bulmershe & Whitegates) and Tahir Maher, a Liberal Democrat representative for Maiden Erlegh on Earley Town Council.
Former Reading councillors Gul Khan and Daya Pal Singh were also spotted at the meal, as was Kamran Saddiq, the chairman of the Reading Private Hire Association.
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