INDIA'S 67th INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATED

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Shivani Acharya, 9, of Birstall, celebrates with an Indian flag in Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre

India's 67th independence day celebrated

People gathered at an event last night to mark India's 67th Independence Day.

The celebrations began at 7.30pm at Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre, in Leicester.

The night, which was hosted by the Gujarat Hindu Association, began with a flag-raising ceremony.

Mr B C Pradhan, consul and head of chancery at the Indian High Commission in Birmingham, was the guest speaker.

Leicester South MP Jon Ashworth read a short message, as did assistant city mayor Piara Singh Clair.

Mr Ashworth said: "I firmly believe Leicester and the UK are stronger today because of the Indian community."

After messages had been read out, Bollywood dancers took to the stage.

The night before, hundreds of people celebrated Pakistan Independence Day in the city.

HUNDREDS CELEBRATE PAKISTAN INDEPENDENCE DAY IN LEICESTER

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Hundreds celebrate Pakistan Independence Day in Leicester

Hundreds of people poured on to the street to celebrate Pakistan Independence Day in Leicester last night.

St Peters Road, in Highfields, was closed by police from about 10pm as revellers gathered and celebrated by dancing, waving flags and sounding hooters.

The road, which was shut from East Park Road to Melbourne Road, re-opened at about midnight.

Inspector Ben Gillard, of Spinney Hills police station, wrote on social networking website Twitter: “Flags and high spirits in the Highfields for Pakistan independence day. All good natured.”

After the road re-opened he added: “Everything good humoured, people polite and friendly. A pleasure to police #credittoLeicester.”

Celebrations are also expected tonight to mark Indian Independence Day.

Festivities normally begin in the Belgrave Road area during the day and the street is often closed by police during the evening as revellers gather waving flags.

In Leicester, the celebrations traditionally involve a street party on Belgrave Road, a party in Cossington Park, and cultural performances at Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre. Thousands of people attend the annual celebrations in the City.

MAN CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTING TO MURDER GURU

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Man charged with attempting to murder guru

by Tim Healy

A 26-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder.

It follows allegations of an assault at the Gurdwara Namdhari Temple in Linden Street, Spinney Hill, Leicester, at approximately 5.25am on Sunday.

The alleged victim was Sri Satguru Uday Singh Ji, worldwide spiritual head of the Namdhari community. He was treated at the Leicester Royal Infirmary for injuries and later discharged.

The accused is due to appear at Leicester Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.

GURU INJURED IN AXE ATTACK

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Guru injured in axe attack

by Alan Thompson

Worshippers at early morning prayers looked on in horror as a man in the congregation took out an axe and attacked a visiting guru.

About 300 people were at the Gurdwara Namdhari, in Leicester, on Sunday morning when the horrific attack took place on Sri Satguru Uday Singh Ji, spiritual head of the Namdhari community worldwide.

The guru, who had been taking prayers, was hit on the right wrist as he tried to defend himself. The blow broke a bone. As worshippers stared in disbelief, the attacker struck again, cutting open his forehead.

Several members of the congregation then rushed the attacker, pinning him to the floor until police arrived.

The guru's elderly mother, who is accompanying him on his first visit to the UK, was sitting next to him and witnessed the attack.

The guru's wounds were tended by members of the congregation until paramedics arrived and he was taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary. He was later discharged.

His programme of activities in the UK, visiting members of the Namdhari community across the country, has been severely curtailed by the attack.

Witness Ranjit Singh Flora, vice-president of the Sikh community in the UK and secretary of the gurdwara, said: "This chap was in the congregation for the prayers, which began at 3.30am and were ending at 5.30am, just before sunrise. He walked in through the doors into the hall. He was wearing a religious outfit like the rest of the congregation and covered himself with a shawl."

He said the man had a strap of cloth across his chest, into which, it emerged, he had put what Mr Singh described as "an axe, about 30 inches long".

"I was sitting right at the front," said Mr Singh. "The programme was about to finish and the hall was full.

"He walked slowly down the walkway, then faster. As he came to the place where you bow down, he quickly took off the shawl and pulled out the axe, jumping on to the stage. He brought the axe down and Guru Ji put up his right arm to defend himself, which was fractured in the attack. He took a second swing at him, splitting his forehead above the left eye, down to the nose. It all happened so fast. There was a lot of blood.

"Members of the congregation, which came from all over the country, got up and overpowered him, asking him why he had done it.

"Everyone was shocked and shaking. Guru Ji's visit was very important to us. It was his first trip to England.

"He has a scar on his forehead and his right arm is in plaster.

"A chunk of flesh came off when the axe struck and it broke his wrist, but he is quite strong and energetic.

"He came back for morning prayers again this morning and police provided security."

Mr Singh Flora described the incident at the gurdwara, in Linden Street, Evington, as "very disturbing".

He said: "We are a peace-loving people. An attack like this is beyond our understanding. We don't know what his motive was."

Sri Satguru Uday Singh Ji became the head of the Namdhari sect in December, after the death of the previous leader.

Indian news organisation Punjab Newsline reported that since then there had been a "consistent campaign against him", launched by followers of another claimant for the Namdhari gaddi, or throne. It is not yet known whether disquiet over the accession had any link to the attack.

SPIRITUAL LEADER ATTACKED IN LEICESTER

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Sri Satguru Uday Singh Ji

Spiritual leader attacked in Leicester

A spiritual leader was taken to hospital after being attacked in the early hours of the morning in Leicester.

Sri Satguru Uday Singh Ji, the spiritual head of the Namdhari community worldwide, was taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary for treatment after the assault.

Police were called to the Gurdwara Namdhari in Linden Street, Leicester, at approximately 5.25am on Sunday August 11 following a report of an assault.

Officers attended the scene where Sri Satguru Uday Singh Ji was found to have been assaulted.

A 26-year-old man was arrested at the scene and remains in police custody.

At this time police believe it was an isolated incident, which was carried out by a single person.

Investigations are ongoing and police would ask anyone who has information about the incident or was in the Linden Street area between 3am and 6am on Sunday August 11 to contact them on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

PLAN FOR TWO-DAY FESTIVAL UNVEILED

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Plan for two-day festival unveiled

by Dan Martin

Organised by Leicester City Council, it will be an amalgamation of celebrations already held in the city, as well as a number of new events.

City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: "For the first time, we are bringing together a lot of separate events which will effectively double the size of the celebrations across the city.

"If it proves a success, as I am sure it will, we will look to make it a bigger and even better event last year."

The idea was conceived last year as part of a city council review of festival funding.

This year, the budget has been cut from £366,500 to £308,500 and will fall to £288,500 in 2014.

The events making up the City Festival will be mostly free and the mayor hopes it will become an annual event to bolster Leicester's bid to become UK City of Culture in 2017.

Humberstone Gate West and Gallowtree Gate will host the eighth annual Sports Fest on the Sunday, with coaching sessions on offer in basketball, football and boxing.

There will also be live music and dance, including Chinese dragon dancing.

On the Sunday, from 11am to 4pm many city streets will be shut so cyclists can take part in the annual Sky Ride.

On the same day the market will host Our Leicester Day, a celebration of the city's community groups, clubs and societies.

On Bank Holiday Monday, the city's history will be celebrated with the Old Town Festival at Magazine Square, Newark Houses Museum and Leicester Castle. There will be medieval re-enactments, the opening up of historic buildings and a food fair.

Leicester Mela, traditionally held in July, has been moved to the Monday and will take place around the Clock Tower with a Bollywood and Bhangra celebration of South Asian culture.

Town Hall Square will host the Journeys Festival over two days. Involving art, drama, music and poetry from refugees, it will tour the East Midlands.

Finally Orton Square, outside Curve theatre , will host End of Pier Delights on Sunday and Monday. It will be a seaside celebration for youngsters.

http://www.visitleicester.info/cityfestival/

FESTIVAL OF CHARIOTS ATTRACTS THOUSANDS

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Festival of Chariots attracts thousands

Thousands of men, women and children joined in to heave three huge chariots through the city streets yesterday as Lord Krishna was displayed to his devotees.

The 16th annual Rathayatra Festival of Chariots, staged by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, saw the parade draw in about 10,000 people from all over the country.

Some had travelled from afar afield as India, and dropped to their knees as the effigies of Lord Jagannath (Krishna), his sister Subadhra and older brother Balaram, were slowly pulled past.

The worshipers were in Leicester today to witness the celebration of the 5,000-year-old festival, which included singing and music and culminated in a large feast at Cossington Park.

Devotee Madhava Das, 29, who lives in the city, became a monk eight years ago.

Since then he has lived a disciplined lifestyle, visiting other parts of the country to share his beliefs.

He said: “This is the one time of year when those who maybe don’t go to the temple can see the deities, which come out once a year.

“It’s so people can see them - and by pulling at the ropes of the chariot it signifies that they are pulling the Lord into their hearts and lives. The music is essential too.

“We chant a mantra to glorify God and to celebrate life and spirituality.”

The three giant chariots, measuring up to 30ft tall, were taken from the Clock Tower, along Belgrave Gate, over the flyover and finished in Cossington Park, where a feast was waiting.

Live music, dancing and singing - which took place on a large stage - was also on the bill at the post-parade festival.

Ben Dowdeswell, 33, and Lee West, also 33, from the Derek Frearson Seven Star Praying Mantis Kung Fu group, who meet at the Peepul Centre, in Orchardson Avenue, entertained the masses with a Chinese lion dance.

Ben, from Barwell, said: “This, for me, sums up the great diversity of Leicester - a bunch of white guys dancing around in a Chinese lion costume at a Hare Krishna festival.

“I think it’s great, it’s our third year and they keep calling us and getting us back - so we must be doing something right.”

Two weeks ago more than one million people gathered in India for the largest staging of this worldwide festival.

Ezrsebet Varga, 46, who had travelled from London to take part in today’s event, said: “This festival has been celebrated for thousands of years, and people come from all over the country.

“In India it’s huge. More than one million people went recently.”

In 2010, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) were left with no place of worship after an explosion destroyed the temple in North Evington.

Now, the group members are hoping to set up a restaurant, heritage room and an informal library at the former HSBC bank, in Granby Street, Leicester.

A planning application for the former bank has been submitted to Leicester City Council.

WARNING FOR MOTORISTS AHEAD OF FESTIVAL OF CHARIOTS

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Warning for motorists ahead of Festival of Chariots

Motorists are being warned about possible delays due to the annual Festival of Chariots that takes place in Leicester tomorrow.

The Hare Krishna Festival of Chariots, known as Rathayatra, is the second largest festival of its kind in Europe, with 10,000 people expected to attend

The procession is due to start at the Clock Tower at 11.30am before moving along Haymarket, Belgrave Gate, Belgrave Road, Cossington Street and Rendell Road.

It is due to arrive at Cossington Park at about 2.30pm.

As well as delays along these roads, there will also be diversions for some buses. Passengers are advised to check with their bus company for further details.

The festival includes people pulling three huge chariots carrying the Deities of Lord Jagannatha (Krishna), his sister Subhadra, and Lord Balarama from the Clock Tower to Cossington Park, accompanied with music, singing and dancing.

DELIGHT AS RIAZ GIVEN HONOUR

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury: 

 

Delight as Riaz given honour

A charity working to strengthen interfaith relations has congratulated a member of staff who has received a major award from De Montfort University.

The director of St Philip's Centre, The Rev Canon Dr John Hall, expressed delight after Riaz Ravat, deputy director of the centre was honoured as Alumnus of the Year. He accepted the award at a graduation ceremony at Curve.

CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL: SUNSHINE'S ON ITS WAY, WHATEVER THE WEATHER

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Caribbean Carnival: sunshine's on its way, whatever the weather

by Yasmin Duffin

Thousands of people will enjoy a sunburst of colour this weekend as Leicester's annual Caribbean Carnival takes place.

Entertainers, floats and bands will take to the streets for the 28th carnival tomorrow.

The parade will leave Victoria Park, in London Road, at 1pm and enter the city centre before returning to the park at 4pm.

Celebrations will be taking place from at the park from midday until 8pm.

Entertainment will be provided by dancers, music and other performers throughout the day.

Carnival chairman Dennis Christopher said: "The theme is Colour My World because we want to bring all races and religions together."The street carnival will be full of beautiful colours.

"People should expect different foods, music, dance – from all cultures.

"Visitors can meet old and new friends and just enjoy themselves."The meaning of carnival, is emancipation of slavery – when slaves were freed, they did their own thing and that's what it's all about."

Mr Christopher said this was an important year for the carnival because of Leicester's bid to be UK City of Culture in 2017.

He said he hoped the carnival would play a major part in securing the coveted title for Leicester.

The carnival route will see the procession travel from Victoria Park, along London Road, Waterloo Way, Charles Street, Gallowtree Gate, Granby Street, Northampton Street, Waterloo Way and up London Road back to Victoria Park.

The main stage at Victoria Park will feature a variety of local, regional and national artists, ranging from the sound of R 'n' B, reggae, hip-hop and chart pop.

Mr Christopher said: "There will be all kinds of different music played but the majority will be calypso, steel band and soca – the rest will fit in between.

"I'm looking forward to it, I'm just hoping for a safe carnival and I'm keeping my eye on the weather.

"We've already started planning the 2014 carnival."

Police have given carnival goers advice on how to stay safe and crime-free at the event.

Chief Superintendent Stuart Prior said: "Last year around 15,000 people attended the event at Victoria Park and no crimes were reported.

"However, as with all events which attract large crowds, there are some simple steps that we urge people to consider to reduce the risk of them becoming a victim of crime."

To prevent the probability of crime, officers have suggested keeping valuables out of sight; keeping belongings with you at all times; keeping bags fastened securely and not to carry too much cash.

SEX EXPLOITATION TRIAL: THREE MEN PLEAD GUILTY

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

An artist's impression of the three men accused of sexually exploiting a 16-year-old schoolgirl

Sex exploitation trial: three men plead guilty

The trial of three men accused of sexually exploiting a 16-year-old schoolgirl was dramatically stopped today, for guilty pleas to be entered.

Aabidali Mubarak Ali (39), Rakib Iacub (20) and Wajid Usman (22), admitted seven of the 22 counts they originally faced.

The prosecution accepted the guilty pleas to the lesser number of offences “in the public interest” and to spare the “vulnerable victim” the ordeal of giving evidence in court.

The girl, now 17, was due to go into the witness box at Leicester Crown Court this afternoon to be cross-examined by three defence advocates.

The prosecution claimed the defendants ignored her young age and paid, or offered to pay her, for sexual activity.

During the trial, the court heard the victim had voluntarily sold sexual services to friends to raise money because she wanted to leave home.

She admitted taking cannabis and drinking vodka to excess to “ease my sorrow.”

Whilst in that vulnerable state, she met Iacub at a Diwali festival last November, which led to the co-accused and three other men becoming sexually involved with her.

Judge Michael Pert QC discharged the jury from further involvement.

Ali, of Guthlaxton Street, Highfields, admitted two counts of paying for the sexual services of a child under 18 - at a guest house in Saxby Street, Highfields, and at a flat in Kashmir Road, St Matthews - as well one offence of facilitating child prostitution at the flat, between last November and January.

Iacub, of Maynard Road, Highfields, admitted offering to pay for the sexual services of a child under 18 and facilitating child prostitution, at the guest house.

He also admitted offering to pay the girl for a sexual encounter in a car at Leicester’s Watermead Park.

Usman, an illegal immigrant from Afghanistan, of no fixed address, admitted one count of paying for the sexual services of a child under 18, at a flat attached to the Mogul Durbar, restaurant in East Park Road, Spinney Hills.

Usman stayed at the flat for three or four weeks, whilst informally helping out at the restaurant – which was ransacked by members of the Sikh community, mainly from Derby, who were protesting about the perceived lack of police action in relation to the victim in this case, in January.

A group of 40 to 50 men burst in and attacked innocent members of staff, who had nothing to with the child exploitation allegations, causing customers to flee in terror.

The prosecutor, Matthew Lowe, said today: “Regarding the guilty pleas, the matter has been considered at a very high level within the CPS, the police force and there’s been consultation with the complainant and those who are looking after her interests.

“It avoids a damaged and fragile young women giving evidence and being asked questions.”

They will be sentenced on August 30, along with three other men, who have already admitted related charges involving the same victim.

They are Bharat Modhwadia (25), of Wycombe Road, Humberstone, Leicester, Hamza Imtiazali (25), of Kashmir Road, and Chandresh Mistry (37), of Berridge Lane, Belgrave, Leicester.

Afterwards, head of Leicestershire Police Safeguarding department, Det Superintendent David Sandall, said: “The victim supports the action that’s been taken today.

“It’s a relief for her, and her family, that she won’t have to re-live her ordeal and be cross-examined by three defence barristers“She was targeted because of her vulnerability and that’s why she was exploited.

“She’s had a wide range of support, including from her family and the police to prepare her for the trial.”

He said although the police were informed about exploitation relating to the girl, before the Moghul Durbar restaurant was ransacked, it was not until after that incident that she actually made “disclosures” about what had happened to her.

He said: “She was supported by third parties and we were victim-led and didn’t pressure her.

“Within three days of her telling us we’d made arrests.“

Det Supt Sandall said the suggestion, by the victim in her tape-recorded police interview, that other Sikh girls may have been exploited was “proactively investigated”.

He said: “People haven’t told us of any other victim, but we would encourage anyone to come forward.

“We’ve worked closely with social care, health services and schools as part of this investigation.”

FIRST PERSON: A FEAST WHICH FOLLOWS A FAST IS NOT IN SPIRIT

Manzoor Moghal has written the First Person column in today's Leicester Mercury:

A feast which follows a fast is not in spirit

The month of Ramadan is once again upon us and Muslims everywhere are fasting. It is obligatory for Muslims to fast during this month, as laid down in the Qu'ran, and they refrain from food, drink and tobacco from dawn to sunset, which at this time of year would be an average of 19 hours a day in Britain.

Before the advent of Islam, fasting was also prescribed for other religions but, with the passage of time, their fasting practices became truncated, distorted and were tailored to the convenience of their followers, with the result that the whole concept of fasting in these religions became totally corrupted.

In one of these religions, a whole month designated for fasting allows its people to eat and drink everything except cooked food and a few other items during the fasting period from morning to evening.In another religion where fasting stretches beyond 30 days, its adherents have to give up one item of their daily favourite food, while allowing them to eat and drink everything else at any time.

In yet another religion, two separate fasting days are extended to 24 hours of total refrain from any eating or drinking, and it has four other days which are somewhat similar to the Islamic way of fasting.

Other minor faiths have some variations, but none of these are anywhere near the Muslim way, which has remained in its pristine purity since its inception some 1,400 years ago.

However, there is a worrying trend which has recently crept into the Islamic way of fasting and it has begun to undermine both the spirit and the letter of fasting.

The time of breaking the Muslim fast at sunset is called iftar, and Muslims do this generally by eating a couple of dates and drinking tea or a glass of milk or water, followed by the fourth obligatory prayer of the day called maghrib.

After this, they disburse to their homes where they eat a modest meal before they go into the long night prayers at their mosques.

Unfortunately, the breaking of the fast time iftar is being turned into feasting by well-heeled Muslims – and it is becoming fashionable practice among many Muslims in some countries, including Britain.

Arab Muslims in the Middle East gorge themselves routinely with large quantities of food every evening after breaking their fast, and Muslims in places such as Pakistan have big iftar parties in restaurants, hotels and community centres.

Of late, a national Muslim organisation is encouraging Muslims in Britain to organise such iftar parties, inviting non-Muslims to participate in order to socialise and promote better understanding between different faiths.

The month of Ramadan is for fasting and not feasting!

Manzoor Moghal is an author and social commentator

DOCTOR ILLEGALLY CIRCUMCISED DOZENS OF BOYS

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Doctor illegally circumcised dozens of boys

by David W Owen

A doctor has been ordered to pay more than £32,000 after admitting illegally circumcising dozens of young boys.

Dr Hassan Abdulla carried out the operations while working at the private Al-Khalill Clinic in Conway Road, Evington, Leicester, between October 2011 and January last year.

Leicester Magistrates’ Court heard that although he was qualified to perform the procedures, he did so without being registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC), which is required by law.

Dr Abdulla (62), of Scothern Lane, Sudbrook, Lincoln, pleaded guilty to five offences involving operations on individual boys when he appeared at court on Monday.

He also admitted to a charge relating to illegal surgery performed on a further 36 children.

He was fined £2,700 and ordered to pay over £30,000 in costs.

Carl May-Smith, prosecuting, told the court that healthcare services are required to be registered with the CQC so they can be “subject to regulation”.

He added it was important that people know whether such services “meet national standards of quality and safety”.

“Mr Abdullah should have known he needed to register, being a qualified health care professional with a duty to follow up on these matters,” he said.

Mr May-Smith said the CQC was alerted to Dr Abdulla’s illegal practice by members of the local community and the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust.

In bringing the prosecution, the independent health regulator carried out two visits to Dr Abdulla’s Evington practice.

Mr May-Smith said that what was found would not have met the national standards of quality and safety.

“Infection control practices were inadequate, equipment being used was out of date and staff were not appropriately trained,” he said, adding that five of the children Dr Abdulla carried out the procedure on suffered complications and required further medical treatment.

The court heard that Dr Abdulla had provided circumcisions for children, mainly of parents adhering to the Islamic and Jewish faiths, since the NHS halted offering non-therapeutic surgery back in 2005.

He had not been required to register with the previous health regulator, the Health Commission, before it was replaced by the CQCin 2009.

Russell Davies, in mitigation, said Dr Abdulla had sought to register with the CQC in September 2011 but had been unaware that his initial application had been rejected.

He pleaded guilty to the six charges on the basis that he should have known he could not provide the service without being registered with CQC.

The court heard, however, that the CQC wrote to Dr Abdulla when his application was refused and spoke to him by telephone.

Mr Davies added: “With Dr Abdulla’s behaviour, the objective was not commercial gain.

“He is not only a man of good character but someone with a hitherto unblemished record.”

Dr Abdulla was fined £450 for each of the charges and ordered to pay £30,099.80 court costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

Sentencing him, District Judge Timothy Daber said: “Without registration, the CQC had no power to regulate your practice, thereby putting patients at risk.”

Following the hearing, Fiona Allinson, compliance manager for the CQC, said: “This sends a clear message to any healthcare professionals that they not only need to ensure they are registered with CQC but we will take action against those who fail to do so.

“By not being registered, providers of care put people at risk as it is not possible for CQC to assess the quality of service being offered.”

FAITHS COME TOGETHER FOR SYRIA APPEAL

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Faiths come together for Syria appeal

A toy collection is being held for children affected by the conflict in Syria.

Sharen Ravat, chaplaincy service manager at Leicester College, will be holding a drop-in session for members of the public to hand over unwanted or unused toys on Sunday, August 4, from 1pm to 5pm at St Philip's Church in Evington Road, Leicester.

Many different faith communities have already pledged support, including Leicester Islamic Centre, Leicester Cathedral, Guru Tegh Bahadur Gurdwara and the Sikh Cultural and Welfare Society.

The toys will be given to the UK charity Hand in Hand for Syria, which will then distribute them at hospitals in the war-torn country.

Sharen said: "I decided to organise the campaign after being touched by the plight of children in Syria, many of whom have lost their loved ones, been injured, made homeless or just lost hope.

"The UN has already said that the Syrian refugee crisis is the worst since Rwanda with an average of 6,000 people fleeing every day.

"I am hoping that by offering toys to children, it puts an immediate smile on their faces."

For more information, call Sharen on 07919 290 313.

HINDUS PRAY FOR PRINCE'S HAPPY FUTURE

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Vinod Popat celebrates with Shraddha Seth, 10, and Shiv Aunarkat, 10

Hindus pray for prince's happy future

Hindus have prayed for a happy future for Prince George at a celebration of the royal baby's birth.

Dozens of members of the Hindu community were joined by the Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire, Jennifer, Lady Gretton, who is the Queen's representative in the county.

It is traditional for prayers to be said on the sixth day of a new baby's life.

Vinod Popat, who organised the event in Belgrave, Leicester, on Saturday, said: "According to the Hindu teachings, the Lord of Destiny comes to bless the child on the sixth day.

"We were celebrating the birth of the prince with singing and drummers, and praying for the Lord of Destiny to write a beautiful destiny for the future king."

Lady Gretton said: "The Hindu community here has come together to celebrate and I think it's wonderful how everyone has joined in."

Among those enjoying the entertainment was 14-year-old Krishna Savadia.

She said: "We've been celebrating the birth of the new prince because we've been so excited about it and we've had so much fun."

FIRST PERSON: BREAK DOWN BARRIERS FACING OUR COMMUNITY

Habib Akram (on right in photo below) has written the First Person column in today's Leicester Mercury:

Break down barriers facing our community

Habib Akram says Ahmadi Muslims are committed to peace and the UK but face prejudice from many people

Today is an historic milestone for my community - marking 100 years since our establishment in the UK. We have much to celebrate. We are committed to Britain and its prosperity. Our ethos Love for All, Hatred for None underpins our belief and is manifest in a nationwide peace campaign. In addition:

We have raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for UK charities.

• We support the annual Poppy Appeal and organise drives to join the Armed Forces as well as blood donation drives throughout Britain.

• We have engaged in widespread interfaith events and celebrated the Queen's Diamond Jubilee at each of our mosques across the country.

• We constructed the first purpose-built mosque in London, which opened in 1924, and was used as a bomb shelter during the war.

• We run western Europe's biggest mosque, in Surrey, with capacity for 10,000 worshippers.

• We have translated the Holy Koran into more than 70 languages, including braille. 

Britain has provided a home for thousands of Ahmadi Muslims over the past century. Our duty as Muslims is to be grateful to God and to give thanks to Queen and country for allowing us to practice [sic] our faith freely.

Islam teaches us to be loyal citizens and we believe it is our duty to serve the country, contribute to society and promote peace for all. When we say Islam means peace, we practice [sic] that.

Today will be a day of thanksgiving for us - the day falls during the blessed month of Ramadan.

However, the occasion also serves as a reminder of the acts of terror committed by extremists on my community.

Hundreds of Ahmadi Muslims have been murdered in Pakistan, where we are not allowed to practice [sic] Islam, and we continue to be persecuted in Indonesia and other countries where an extremist clergy is able to wield influence.

Even in Britain, there have been attempts to foment hatred against us through satellite Asian news channels or by firebrand clerics.

The result of this is that my community remains isolated from other Muslim communities, even in Leicester, and despite speeches and opinion pieces in this paper about the need for community cohesion, no attempt is made to reach out to us.

Invitations for other Muslims to join us at our interfaith events are ignored by all but a few.

So the need to build bridges and remove the barriers of prejudice is greater than ever. If the words that appear in this paper about building communities are not to be mere platitudes, real action needs to be taken now to break down the barriers of ignorance and prejudice.

As loyal citizens, we enter our second century here in the UK with much optimism. We hope to build on our achievements and, God willing, be of even greater benefit to this country.

Dr Habib Akram is president of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Leicester

LEICESTER SOUTH MP JON ASHWORTH TO JOIN RAMADAN FAST

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Leicester South MP Jon Ashworth to join Ramadan fast

by Dan Martin

Leicester South MP Jon Asworth is to join Muslims marking Ramadan by fasting for a day.

Mr Ashworth will go without food, from sunrise to sunset on Wednesday, with worshippers at the Masjid Umar Mosque in Evington Drive.

The Labour politician is repeating a fast he took part in last yearHe said: “Last year I fasted during Ramadan because I wanted to have a deeper and more spiritual understanding of Islam.

“It was such a rewarding experience, and that’s why I want to fast again this year.”

“Ramadan is such an important time for so many families across Leicester.

“I want to show my support to the local community, but more than that, I want to experience Ramadan for myself again.”

The MP will start the day with an early meal, called sehri, at the home of Gulam Husain, the secretary general of the mosque.

He will not eat until breaking his fast with dates and water at Masjid Al Falah on Keythorpe Street on Wednesday night.

He added: “I’ll be fasting for the whole day, but like many Muslims I’ll go about my day as usual and will be working from my constituency office.”

“Even though I’ll only be fasting for one day, I’m still glad that I can take part in Ramadan in my own small way.

“I know it’ll be tough, and I wrote a blog about it all last year, but I know this year’s fast will reinforce everything that I took away from the experience last year.”

OUR CULTURE CITY RIVALS ARE "CRAP"

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Our culture city rivals are "crap"

by Peter Warzynski

Leicester's three City of Culture rivals have been included in a national list of the UK's "crap towns''.

Hull, Dundee and Swansea all appear on the Crap Towns longlist – a collection of the 100 worst towns and cities in Great Britain.

However, Leicester – the home of Richard III, National Space Centre, Curve theatre and the Attenboroughs – is nowhere to be seen on the roster of rubbish places to live.

City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby welcomed the news, but said the real test would come in November when the 2017 UK City of Culture winner is revealed.

"Well, I already knew Leicester wasn't crap," he said.

"But I rather suspect that this list is a bit tongue in cheek because I know the three other City of Culture contenders have a lot to offer.

"So let's wait until November and we can prove once and for all we are the best city."

The 100 nominees will be whittled down to 50 via an online vote and included in a book of the UK's worst places to live.

Also making it on to the longlist is York – whose supporters are locked in a bitter battle with the University of Leicester over where the remains of Richard III should be laid to rest.

Despite Leicester's exclusion from the list, one county town made it into the top 100.

Loughborough can be found nestled comfortably between London and Louth, in Lincolnshire, on the alphabetical census of crapness.

Hearing the news yesterday, Loughborough MP Nicky Morgan said: "How deeply unfair. This has clearly been put together by someone who has never been to Loughborough.

"I know it's all a bit of fun, and tongue in cheek, but nobody wants to hear their home has been nominated as a 'crap town'.

"Oh well... I just hope people get voting and make sure that Loughborough doesn't make it any further than the top 100.

"We have a great town here, with a fantastic community spirit, wonderful tourist attractions and a top-class university."

David Cameron's constituency, Chipping Norton, is also on the longlist.

The quaint Oxfordshire market town – home to Jeremy Clarkson – is a surprise addition, but Crap Towns Returns editor Sam Jordison said it was not all about appearance.

He said: "Crap comes in many forms. Very often, the kind of towns that estate agents would describe as 'desirable' are the most stultifying, the most ugly and the most unpleasant to live in.

"They also tend to be full of the most ridiculous people. Our correspondents don't like Mayfair any more than they like deprivation and squalor.

"In fact, they often finger the affluent places as the cause of all the trouble in the first place. Or at least for failing to do anything about it and for having terrible, terrible pubs."

NEW LIGHTS HELP MARK RAMADAN

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury (though without a photo - I nipped over to Highfields and took this one myself):

 

New lights help mark Ramadan

New Ramadan lights have been installed in three streets.

The lights were switched on in Nedham Street, Melbourne Road and St Peter's Road, in Highfields, Leicester, last night to mark the start of a month of fasting by Muslims.

New signs declaring "Ramadan Mubarak" (greetings) have also been put up.

They will change to "Eid Mubarak" to celebrate the festival at the end of Ramadan.

Yahya Thada, of Muslim Khatri Association, said: "The improved festive lighting will enhance the celebrations and allow the wider community to be part of them.

"Leicester will have the largest lighting in Europe."

PUPILS' IDEAS TURNED INTO PRAYER TRAIL

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Bishop of Leicester Tim Stevens with Max Harlow, 10, Maya Topping, 5, Jack Chapman, 5, & Lauren Henry, 11 

Pupils' ideas turned into prayer trail

A sculpture prayer trail inspired by pupils has been created at a primary school.

The art was unveiled at Gilmorton Chandler CofE School in a ceremony attended by Bishop of Leicester, the Rt Rev Tim Stevens, and diocesan director of education, Canon Mary Lawson.

It features seven artworks based on a verse from Galatians interpreting goodness and gentleness, joy, love, patience and faithfulness, kindness and self-control.

There is also a pebble cross where children leaving the school will each place a stone.

Children came up with ideas for the trail, which were realised by Ruth Cutler, Dean Williams, Ian Tuck, Andy Moyes, Liam Hadjipetrou, John Tozer and Kerr Doig.

Head teacher Marie Sandford said: "We encourage all children to become independent, creative learners who also respect and care for others and for the environment."

Team vicar the Rev Emma Davies said: 'This project has been a wonderful way of helping the children think about some core Christian values."