A festival in Cheetham has brought together Mancunians from different backgrounds in a celebration of diversity and mutual respect against a backdrop of conflict in Israel and Gaza.
The Cheetham Cultural Festival, now in its 19th year, took place last week involving four days of events.
Antisemitic and Islamophobic incidents in Greater Manchester have spiked after the escalation of conflict in Israel and Gaza.
Sabz Khan, involved in organising and marketing the Cultural Festival, said: “It was the perfect opportunity for us to show there is unity and the world leaders who are causing this war are not a true reflection of humanity.
“We had many visitors who felt afraid of visiting the Jewish Museum and the Mosque. Once they arrived, they enjoyed their time and were very much moved by this little corner in North Manchester being a shining beacon in a world where all we see on the news is divide and tragedy.”
The festival featured events at Khizra Mosque, the Sikh Gurdwara, Manchester Jewish Museum, the New Testament Church of God, and the Ukrainian Cultural Centre.
A highlight of the festival was performances at the Royal Exchange Theatre by local ambassadors highlighting diversity in the city – which reportedly brought many to tears.
Poppy Soldatos, Community Development Fieldworker at Winning Hearts and Minds who helped organise the festival, said: “The love and respect we all have in our community is an all year-round thing. We celebrate cultures and we learn from each other.
“Our little Cheetham and Crumpsall community always has its doors open to embrace everyone #nohatehere.”
