BRADFORD COMMUNITY’S INVOLVEMENT IN MULTI CULTURAL AREA

Bradford, in West Yorkshire is a city with a Metropolitan District in the UK which has a population of around 467,665. ( 2001 census). According to the census records, the largest group are white 78%, followed by Pakistani 15%, Indian 3%, Bangladeshi 1%, Afro-Caribbean 1%, Mixed 1.5%. Christians make up 60.1%, Muslims 16.1%,...





BRADFORD COMMUNITY’S INVOLVEMENT IN MULTI CULTURAL AREA 


Bradford, in West Yorkshire is a city with a Metropolitan District in the UK which has a population of around 467,665.  ( 2001 census). According to the census records, the largest group are white 78%, followed by Pakistani 15%, Indian 3%, Bangladeshi  1%, Afro-Caribbean 1%, Mixed 1.5%.  Christians make up 60.1%, Muslims 16.1%, Hindus 1.5%, Sikh 1.0% Buddhists 0.1%, Jews 0.1%  No religion 13.3%, Not stated 8.1%.


ASYLUM SEEKERS


There are over 60 different Nationalities living here, some of whom are Asylum Seekers and Refugees from war torn areas of our world especially from Africa, Iraq, Iran Afghanistan and from different parts of Asia, mainly Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.  


Our ministry as Holy Family Sisters is to befriend, help and support Asylum Seekers and Refugees and so we  work as volunteers  in  different Centres  in the City where we hear their tragic stories at firsthand and try to respond.  Every Thursday morning, Celine works in an Information  and Advice Centre where she meets  many Asylum Seekers who have just arrived in Bradford. These people are in a very vulnerable position as they seek advice, money and housing. Celine has also met many from her own country (Sri Lanka) and is able to help with translation and give the advice and support they need. A group has been set up for the children of Asylum Seekers and Celine is also a volunteer there.  


Teresa goes as a volunteer to a drop in Centre for Women Asylum Seekers and  their children This is a chance to support them by listening, and befriending  in a safe relaxed setting.. Here, we get to know their needs and can refer them to suitable organisations. Second hand clothes and household goods are also available at  this Centre. 


Once a month, as a community, we cook  food  which we take to a Centre  where Asylum Seekers gather to get free food, information and advice. (Different groups prepare this food on a rota basis.)


In recent years, Bradford has campaigned hard and has become a City of Sanctuary. This is a national movement started in 2007 to build a culture of hospitality for people seeking sanctuary in the UK. We fully support this and attend their public gatherings and celebrations including those in Refugee Week as well as the annual Asian Festival (The Mela). Last year Teresa was singing Sesotho songs in one of the Tents and in the

City Square
(see photo) along with Asylum Seekers from many different countries who were happy to be in her band!! In addition to big gatherings, we also befriend and support individual families and put them in touch with our local SVP and other friends who can also help to meet some of their needs.


There is a great need to befriend the families of Asylum Seekers especially when they are waiting for a reply from the Home Office to their request for leave to stay in this country. Maria has supported many of these families and is currently involved with a single mum from Somalia who has been trafficked into this country, like many others. Sadly her two children are still in camps in Somalia and she has had no contact with them for 5 years. However, through the help of the Red Cross she has recently made contact by phone and her dream is to be reunited with these children one day. Some Asylum Seekers receive financial help in the form of vouchers (£35 per week) leaving them with no cash for essentials e.g. bus fares, phone cards and toiletries etc. This can leave them very isolated as they’re unable to attend the many support networks provided by Volunteers.




INTERFAITH


Since September 11th 2001, Leaders from the 7 different faiths e.g. Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Bahai, Jews, etc  started meeting on 11th of every month to pray together for Peace.  We attend these gatherings whenever we can. We also go on Interfaith Walks and  work as helpers in local colleges  in English classes for immigrants for whom English is a second language. Many of our local neighbours are Muslims from Pakistan. We have become good friends and are invited to their big occasions such as breaking the fast at the end of Ramadan and celebrating Eid, where  special prayers are said and food is shared. Last month we were invited to their family wedding  which went on for 10 days!


PARISH, LOCALSCHOOLS AND WIDER COMMUNITY


We live in West Bradford which is greatly enriched by  families from many diverse backgrounds and cultures. e.g. Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe, Philippines,  India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, as well as  Eastern Europe – Russia, Hungary, Poland, Georgia, etc. We are inserted in this community which provides us with many opportunities to meet them on many levels reminding us that we all belong to one large Family. We have direct contact with these people through the local school, parish and  wider community.


We end with a quotation from Sallie McFague’s book “A new climate for Theology”.


“The dignity of human beings and the integrity of creation rest, first of all, on our willingness to affirm the value of all life, not just our own or that of our own tribe or religion or country or class or species. Like the saints, we need to practise developing a universal love that knows no bounds, a love that becomes more and more inclusive.”


From the Bradford Community Celine, Teresa and Maria