The leader of Oldham council said the civil unrest after the Southport stabbing was the one day she “wasn’t proud to be British” as she signed a new document recognising the importance of faith in community.
Far-right protesters clashed with police in Southport and damaged a mosque after misinformation about the attacker’s identity was spread online.
Councillor Arooj Shah said: “I thought it was shocking and disturbing using something so horrific to futher and peddle their divisive narrative.
“I think it was the one day I wasn’t proud to be British.”
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, Cllr Shah – GMCA Portfolio Lead for Equalities and Communities – and co-chairs of the Greater Manchester Faith and Advisory Panel met on Tuesday to formally sign the Faith, Belief and Interfaith Covenant.
The Covenant is a joint commitment developed to improve engagement, collaboration and delivery between public services and faith and belief communities across Greater Manchester, recognising their important contribution to society and strengthening community cohesion.
It was adopted in March 2024 and has supported several new important actions, including the establishment of the Wigan Interfaith Forum and a new Trafford Faith Action Network, as well as closer links connecting faith and belief with issues around migration and homelessness.
The leaders also discussed community recovery and resilience following the summer civil unrest.
Cllr Shah spoke about how the Covenant recognises faith and belief communities’ contribution to society across Greater Manchester.
She said: “You often see in some of the most challenging circumstances that they step up anyway.
“But I think [the Covenant] is a powerful way to show as leaders across Greater Manchester that we value their contribution.”
Cllr Shah said faith and belief communities “play a hugely important role” in fostering peace and praised the support from the Mayor.
She said: “The Mayor – through every policy agenda – has had a passion towards addressing social inequalities.”
Cllr Shah believes the Covenant could inspire the other regions of England to unite – like Greater Manchester – and sign similar agreements.
She added: “Greater Manchester – through Andy Burnham – is always leading the way.
“I’m proud to be a leader across the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.
“They’ll copy us like they do with everything else!”
Feature image: Oldham Town Hall by Diego Sideburns (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
