Dunfermline Muslim Awareness Day

4th November 2007

Positive action towards Islam and celebration of 60 years of Pakistan’s Independence and Eid.

FRAE Fife and Fife Council in partnership with the Muslim communities of Dunfermline and the West Fife villages organised their first Awareness Day last Sunday with more than 500 people attending the event.

The key speakers, leaders of the Fife Region, included; Head of Fife Council Administration, Cllr Peter Grant; Chair of City of Dunfermline Area Committee, Cllr Joe Rosiejak; Chief Executive of NHS Fife, George Brechin; Assistant Chief Constable Allan Burnett, Fife Constabulary; Dunfermline Procurator Fiscal, Andrew Grant; Fife Council Locality Manage, David Paterson; and FRAE Fife Co-ordinator Naeem Khalid, and were among those who joined the Dunfermline Muslim communities at the Glen Pavilion in Dunfermline.

They stressed the importance of understanding and respecting Muslim religion and culture amongst the Fife multicultural community, they also assured about their readiness to help and support the individuals and groups alike in many ways.

The purpose of the day was to promote awareness of the Muslim and Pakistani culture and tradition; create awareness of the barriers and issues facing Pakistani Muslims; bring the wider community together; and to promote healthy living.

Ms Tecla Wight, FRAE Fife Community Development Worker for the Dunfermline Muslim Women's Group, advised: “Dunfermline Muslim women want to raise awareness of their community in positive ways. I am glad to see all the gathered attendants taking part together in such a lively and nice event.”

Highlights from the event included key-note speeches, information stalls of service providers, Pakistani’s buffet dinner and Jeetsu Group’s performance.

Ali Tahir, the Chairperson of Fife Muslim Social Group, underlined sport and health as one of the most important subjects for the children, who are our future.

With thanks to; Ade Johnson, FRAE Fife and the rest of the team; Mukhutar Ahmed, Chairperson of Dunfermline Muslim Association, Ajaz Mohammed, Kismet Leisure Centre and Shameem Salim.

Marta Weychan