Community group shares festive message

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Councillor Saima Afzal has lent her support to a project that highlights how the local Muslim community appreciate the festive season.

The councillor for the Blackburn Central ward is one of the faces in One Voice’s festive video, ‘I’m a Muslim and I Love the Festive Period’. The video hears from seven members of the Blackburn Muslim community talking about the Christmas period and what it means to them and their families.

They share their feelings of Christmas as the perfect time for togetherness, as well as celebrating the warm atmosphere that exists in all communities at this time of year.

In the video, Councillor Afzal recalls Christmases spent watching films with her sisters and exchanging gifts. Speaking about her involvement in One Voice’s video, Councillor Afzal commented:

“It means a lot to me to have played a small part in helping One Voice to highlight how the spirit of Christmas is enjoyed by different communities across the borough. From enjoying time off from work and school to be with our families, to reaching out to offer support to vulnerable and lonely people, the festive season is a very special time of year.”

Community organisation One Voice produced the festive message as part of their ongoing community cohesion and integration initiative. It follows their successful Ramadan project ‘I’m Not a Muslim But I Will Fast for One Day’, which highlights the non-Muslim residents of the borough who fast alongside friends and colleagues during Ramadan. This initiative has been running since 2014, and recently picked up a Highly Commended accolade in a national marketing awards.

Zaffer Khan is Chief Executive of One Voice and directed the ‘I’m a Muslim and I Love the Festive Period’ video. He said:

“It is important to challenge myths and perceptions that the festive period is not enjoyed by the Muslim community. The video highights that this is a magical time of year for all communities.”

Watch One Voice’s festive message, ‘I’m a Muslim and I Love the Festive Period’:

For more information about One Voice and their work in the local community, visit www.onevoicenetwork.org.uk.