THE borough's Asian leaders gathered on Saturday (Aug 15) to witness the hoisting of the Pakistani flag.

The event coincided with Pakistan Independence Day.

More than 20 ethnic minority representatives attended the ceremony in Knowsley Street as the flag was hoisted outside Bury Town Hall.

Among those attending were Councillor Connie Fitzgerald, Bury's deputy mayor; Dr Mohammed Salim, chairman of Bury Racial Equality Council; and other prominent Asian figures in the borough.

It was a significant day for Bury's Pakistani community and for Pakistanis across the globe. It marked the anniversary of the end of British rule in India in 1947 and the formation of Pakistan - a homeland where Muslims could freely practise their religion.

Pakistan Independence Day is also a remembrance day for the hundreds of thousands of men, women and children who were killed during the partition struggle in August 1947.

Dr Salim said: "The Pakistan Independence Day celebrations are a unifying element, as they aim to promote unity within Bury's Pakistani heritage community as well as encouraging all community groups to interact with one another. We've come a long way in creating and sustaining a harmonious, multi-cultural community - after all, curry is now Britain's favourite dish."

Ninety-five per cent of Bury ethnic citizens are of Pakistan origin, many of them second and third generation - born and brought up in Bury but sharing Pakistan's cultural heritage, such as language, dress, diet, religion, customs, and traditions.

In the light of these strong cultural ties, the Mayor of Mirpur, Pakistan, made a courtesy call on Coun Fitzgerald in May to explore the development of a friendship link involving the two towns.

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