Community leaders, councillors and representatives from across Reading came together for a festive celebration.
The Reading Pakistani Community Centre in London Road hosted a seasonal lunch, its first since 2019, due to the various covid-related restrictions.
Guests were encouraged to speak briefly about themselves.
The Imams from the Aisha Majid in Earley and the Reading Islamic Centre in South Street voiced gratitude for good community relations.
They also voiced respect for Christmas as a religious holiday, and said they enjoyed good relationships with Christians in Reading.
The Revd Sonya Wratten, vicar of Reading Minster, and Robert Dimmick, a former town mayor and a member of the Society of Saint Francis, were also in attendance.
The mayor of Reading, Cllr Rachel Eden (Labour, Whitley), said: “We’re so proud of our Reading aren’t we? What makes us special is the people, who come together in good times and bad, to make our town better.”
Reflecting on her beating the bounds walk that saw her walk Reading’s borders, and what she learnt from it, Cllr Eden said: “It reminds me of that proverb: if you want to walk fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, go together.”
Tweeting about the lunch, Matt Rodda, the Labour MP for Reading East, said: “It was a privilege to join friends from across Reading’s different communities for the Reading Pakistan Community Centre [RPCC] Christmas meal.
“Thank you to the team at the RPCC for being such generous hosts – it’s great to see this important event make its return.”
After the speeches, all stood for the Pakistan national anthem.
Then guests enjoyed Pakistani cuisine, and the Sangeet Group from Slough sang.
Members of the newly formed Reading Private Hire Association (RPHA), a new taxi union, were also at the event.
Kamran Saddiq, the chairman, welcomed the opportunity to speak with councillors about their campaign to have access to the eastbound Kings Road bus lane for a trial period.
The RPHA has also highlighted other issues they face, such as waiting times for licenses and MoT certificates.
Guests attended the event on the invite of Muhammad Saleem and other members of the RPCC.
Amjad Tarar, secretary of the RPCC, said: “We thank all for a great turn out at our annual Christmas lunch, organised by RPCC, which was first established in 2005 under the leadership of Muhammad Saleem.
“It provides a great opportunity to bring together the proudly diverse community of Reading in this festive period, with guests from various interfaith groups, the deputy Local Policing Area commander for Reading, Matt Rodda, leader of the council Jason Brock, along with many councillors, the Mayor and many other dignitaries.”
The lunch was held on Wednesday, December 14.
