A PROJECT that "twins" places of worship in Bradford will be celebrated at City Hall event today.

The project, the first of its kind in the UK, involves 16 places of worship - including mosques (masajid), Church of England and Catholic churches, gurdwaras, Hindu temples and Buddhist centres.

The twinned organisations meet regularly, and hold community events that bring the different faith groups together.

This afternoon Lord Mayor of Bradford Councillor Zafar Ali will recognise the significant project at a City Hall event.

The project has taken place in six areas of the Bradford district: West Bowling, Leeds Road, Manningham and Great Horton in Bradford, plus Keighley and Shipley.

Within each area, at least two places of worship have committed to meet regularly, work on a joint project, honour each other’s faiths and provide mutual support "in times of need."

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The faith group representatives will be presented with a certificate of acknowledgement to show thanks for their commitment to creating faith links for the common good.

Steve Hartley, Bradford Council’s Strategic Director, Department of Place, said: “Bradford Council is committed to supporting community cohesion within our district. We already have strong links between our faith communities and this project builds on this foundation. Each twinning arrangement helps increase understanding and respect between different faith organisations, and leads to further joint work, for the benefit of local people living and working in those areas. I’d like to thank all the faith groups who have taken up the invitation to get involved.”

In the West Bowling area two places of worship just yards from each other, Madini Masjid and St Stephen's Church, hae been involved in a successful partnership.

Saleem Hussain, of the Madni Masjid, West Bowling, said: “Madni Masjid BD5 and St Stephen’s Church have built up strong bonds of friendship through collaborative work over many years, which have contributed to make a positive impact on people’s lives.

“Our collaborative work started nine years ago working together on a drugs awareness project for parents and children. Each year Madni Masjid and St Stephen’s Church also collaborate on helping homeless people over the cold winter months – with St Stephen’s Church providing bed and warm shelter and Madni Masjid contributing towards food.

“Together we have undertaken bike rides to show unity and respect and raise money for Marie Curie Hospice, with routes around Bradford to further afield – Liverpool, Scarborough and Manchester.

“Some competition is always rewarding – with the Masjid and Church rising to the challenge on the Badminton court.

“We’ve also had open days and MP visits – where people were interested to see the collaborative work that helps to improves people lives. We hope to continue this good work between our faiths for many years into the future.”

Ravinder Dharni, of Bradford Lakshmi Narayan Hindu Temple, Leeds Road, said: “Our Temple / Mandir has been participating in the Faith Walk along Leeds Road for many years. This Faith walk takes place on the first Saturday of each month and links Places of Worship from four different faiths, namely a church, mosque, Hindu temple, Sikh gurdwara and a cathedral. Over the years, all the faiths have benefited from this partnership work and this has also led to other joint projects.

“All the people who attend this faith walk have positive views and a better understanding of the other faiths afterwards. Some people are so impressed that they have then revisited with friends, family or colleagues. My colleagues and I always look forward to new people coming to visit our temple.”

This twinning project, with such a number of different faith groups participating, is the first of its kind in the UK. It is based on a church/mosque twinning principle originally devised in London.

The Places of Worship Twinning agreement requires participating organisations to meet together at least twice annually, undertake at least one joint project annually, "respect and honour each other’s faiths" and support each other in times of need.