News / Bristol Multi Faith Forum
Community event marks end of South Asian Heritage Month
“Bristol is nothing without all its communities,” Paul Goggins, the deputy lord mayor of Bristol City Council said on Sunday.
He was speaking at an event held at Za Za Bazaar to mark the end of South Asian Heritage Month.
The event, called the Harmony Buffet, was organised by The Bristol Multi Faith Forum in partnership with the Pakistan Association of Bristol (PAB) and the Indian Community of West of England (ICWE).
is needed now More than ever
The Multi Faith Forum was instituted by Bristol City Council twenty years ago to foster harmony between the many different ethnic and religious groups in the city.
The Harmony Buffet also marked the 77th year of Independence for both India and Pakistan.
India gained independence from Britain on August 15 1947 and Pakistan on August 14 1947.
The event also marked the Independence Days of India and Pakistan – photo: Milan Perera
Tom Aditya, the chairman of the forum, led the proceedings.
During the event, Paul Goggins referred to the city’s recent far-right riot and reminded attendees of a chant that rang out from counter protestors.
He said: “They said, ‘we are many, you are few. We are Bristol, who are you?’. I think that sums up Bristol’s spirit”
Community and faith leaders took to the stage during the Harmony Buffet – photo: Milan Perera
Goggins praised the many contributions people of South Asian descent have made in Bristol, across various sectors including healthcare and business.
He spoke about being in hospital last year and how he was supported in his recovery by nurses from Kerala, in South India.
Soon after he spoke, Claire Hazelgrove, MP for Filton and Bradley Stoke, gave a brief speech.
She said: “ I was at the event here last year. Then I was a mere candidate.
“Community and country always come first.
“It’s heartfelt to see so many people representing so many faiths and no faith, people representing various political parties and lots of people who don’t particularly support political parties. And that’s what is so wonderful about our communities.”
She praised Tom Aditya and the Multi Faith Forum for building bridges across communities and added: “We live in the same community (Bradley Stoke) and I am so proud to be able to work with you formally to serve our communities and country right.”
Claire Hazelgrove, MP for Filton & Bradley Stoke, praised the Bristol Multi Faith Forum for bringing communities together – photo: Milan Perera
Another person who spoke was Afzal Shah, former Labour councillor for Easton, who called Bristol a “beacon”.
He said: “Bristol is a bit of a beacon when it comes to community cohesion.
“When we look at Bristol…we see that every facet of life, whether it’s business, whether it’s in civic life, the South Asian community has been exemplary. They’ve made huge contributions.”
The ceremony was followed by a communal buffet at Za Za Bazaar – photo: Milan Perera
Among others who spoke during the event included the Lib Dem councillor Raj Sood representing South Gloucestershire Council.
Attendees sang the national anthems of India and Pakistan before digging into a communal buffet.
@TomAditya, chairman of Bristol Multi Faith Forum on the joint celebration of the Independence Days India and Pakistan on Sunday at @ZaZaBazaar pic.twitter.com/RalRF7d1P3
— Milan Gregory Perera (@stbonscc) August 19, 2024
Speaking to Bristol24/7, Tripti Megeri, secretary of Multi Faith Forum, said: “This is our second recent event after the Harmony Summit in Bradley Stoke. It is mainly to bring Indian and Pakistani communities together because for so long there have been divisions.
“A few years ago we came up with a plan to bring the two communities together. This is the third year we are celebrating this event with community support.”
All photos: Milan Perera
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