Mosque service for blast victims

AN OLDHAM mosque held a special service to pay tribute to those caught up in Monday's terror attack.

Madina Institute and Masjid Community Hub, in Clarkesfield, welcomed all faiths to their remembrance service last night.

Nargis Khan, one of the organisers, said: "We are saddened by what can only be described as a cowardly attack. We stand with the people of Manchester and we want to promote compassion, mercy and love and not cowardly acts such as this.

"We are trying to build bridges within the community not walls. Manchester is dear to us and we want the people to know they are in our thoughts and we are very much with them right now."


MOSQUES in Greater Manchester have urged people to stay calm and alert in wake of Monday's terrorist attack.

A joint statement from Oldham Mosques Council, Manchester Council of Mosques, Rochdale Council of Mosques, Bolton Council of Mosques and Stockport Muslims said: "The Greater Manchester Muslim community is saddened and horrified by reports of yet another terror attack, this time in our very city at the Manchester Arena yesterday. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families and our emergency services that are at the forefront of dealing with this tragic incident.

"This is and will always be a mindless and unjustifiable act. We note that GMP are treating this as a terrorist incident and offer any support that they may need at this difficult time, we urge our communities to remain calm and alert.."

Mufti Helal Mahmood, development officer at OMC, added: "The entire Muslim community is in shock and anger over this barbaric attack in Manchester. We are deeply saddened and our prayers and thoughts are with the families of all those innocent people."



OLDHAM'S outgoing mayor Councillor Derek Heffernan, who was Oldham's Peace Mayor, said in a letter of condolence: "I offer my deepest condolences to the victims of this dreadful attack and their families. I hope that the injured recover fully and quickly.

"We must stand together and face this terrible tragedy with strength and dignity. I am appalled to hear about this callous, cowardly attack .

"The cowards who committed this atrocity cannot be allowed to win. Our City, and especially our Borough, must return to normal as quickly as possible.

The City of Manchester and the Borough of Oldham will continue to strive for worldwide peace.

"Oldham is a leader in the worldwide peace movement. The young people that I spoke to during my year as mayor will continue to show these cowards that they cannot win."