Council signs a pledge to peace

OLDHAM’S pledge . . . the Mayor of Oldham, Councillor Ateeque Ur-Rehman, presented with the Coat of Arms from Mazara Del Vallo by Peace Talks Oldham members

OLDHAM Council has become the first in the UK to sign a new European declaration that aims to promote a “culture of peace”.

The Mayor, Councillor Ateeque Ur-Rehman, council representatives and volunteers from Peace Talks Oldham have signed the Pledge to Peace, a commitment that will see Oldham put in place projects and actions.

The mayor received a coat of arms from Mazara del Vallo, a Sicilian town which recently held an international festival to celebrate peace and culture.

Councillor Ur-Rehman said: “This signing reinforces Oldham’s positive work to promote peace throughout the borough. Plans are already in place to hold a second Oldham Peace Day event to celebrate International Peace Day in September.

“These are all events shared by communities across Oldham, irrespective of ethnicity or faith — and who ultimately want peace.

“It is great to have links with Mazara Del Vallo, which is a city exemplary at promoting peace in Europe, and this will enable us to learn how we can help promote peace within our communities and beyond.”

Representatives from Peace Talks Oldham, Richard Outram and Maria Dawn Ellis, attended the festival and delivered a letter of friendship and a gift from the Mayor of Oldham to the city’s Mayor. They also met with the ambassador to the Pledge to Peace, Prem Rawat.

twitter: @AlexCareyOC