Bury’s leaders sign the Declaration of Hope

Civic and faith leaders joined forces to sign a Declaration of Hope to promote tolerance and harmony.

The move comes in the wake of several high profile international incidents, and the Declaration aims to confirm the values of peace and oppose elements that seek to divide communities.

Among those who met in the Mayor of Bury’s parlour to sign the declaration were Councillor Mike Connolly, leader of Bury Council; council chief executive Mike Kelly; councillors and community representatives; Greater Manchester Police and faith leaders.

The signing formed part of the ‘We Stand Together’ campaign, a national movement to celebrate diversity and difference, encourage community cohesion and build upon the positive work already taking place. This was launched last week by Tony Lloyd, Police and Crime Commissioner for Greater Manchester, and by Sir Peter Fahy, Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police.

The Mayor of Bury, Councillor Michelle Wiseman, thanked everyone for their attendance and re-iterated Bury’s commitment to keeping all of its communities safe.

• As part of the ‘We Stand Together’ campaign, the Mayor recently held her third Prayer Breakfast in the Elizabethan Suite at which Sir Peter Fahy gave a speech on leadership and faith.

ENDS

Press release issued: 19 March 2015.

Picture: Civic and faith leaders gather in the Mayor’s Parlour to sign the Declaration of Hope.

Note to editors: A copy of the Declaration can be found at the Town Hall reception desk.

Those who signed the declaration:

1. Cllr Mike Connolly, leader of Bury Council
2. Cllr Michelle Wiseman, The Mayor of Bury
3. Mike Kelly, chief executive of Bury Council
4. Cllr Rishi Shori, deputy leader of Bury Council
5. Liaqat Ali, Bury Islamic Centre and Mosque
6. Ghulam Mujtaba, Noor ul Islam Mosque
7. Khalid Khan, Jamia Khizra Mosque and Islamic Centre, with Walmersley Road Mosque
8. Reverend Simon Cook, Bishop of Manchester Borough Dean for Bury
9. Rabbi Jonathon Guttentag, The Mayor's Chaplin
10. Chief Inspector Joanne Marshall, GMP Bury Division