The indigenous Asian population of Bradford is being urged to offer a welcoming hand to Eastern European newcomers to the city.
The influx of migrants from countries such as Poland, which has seen the population of Eastern Europeans in Bradford treble in the last year, has led to minor tensions as they settle in inner city areas traditionally home to the Asian community.
But Mohammed Ali, chief executive of QED Bradford, which provides education, employment and training for ethnic minorities, forecast a bright future for the city with the migrants playing their part.
QED has been commissioned to identify the causes of tensions between the two groups and improve cultural understanding and communication between them.
Mr Ali said there were some tensions about the clash of cultures but they were not as big as they had been made out to be.
He said: "What we are trying to do through the project is make sure the misunderstanding and tension that could exist does not get worse. We want to create networks of communication where people can come together to talk to each other."
Mr Ali said they were looking to create events where people could taste each other's food and listen to each other's music, as well as a football match between the settled communities in the city and new arrivals from Eastern Europe.
"In time, the Eastern Europeans will become part and parcel of society and I don't see a clash of cultures with the settled communities bringing problems on the streets of Bradford in the future."
The migrants have mainly settled in the Leeds Road, Great Horton Road, Manningham, Girlington and West Bowling areas.
Dr Bary Malik, president of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association in Bradford, said he believed the Eastern European population in Bradford had increased from 5,000 to 15,000 in the last year, but he was not aware of any serious tensions with the Asian community.
Dr Malik said: "Eastern Europeans are becoming the second largest ethnic community in Bradford and the lifestyle of some of them is totally different.
"But many of them are highly skilled people and they are very hard working. There are joiners, plasterers, bricklayers and tilers. They will do a job for a cheap price and there may be a concern that they are taking over the jobs of the Asian community."
He said shops selling Eastern European food had opened in Great Horton Road and Leeds Road, but there had been some problems.
But he added: "Many are churchgoers and the Catholic church can play an important part in bringing the communities together, as can the faith communities in mosques and Muslim centres.
"They are a new community and should be welcomed and integrated into society."
Martin Smith, Bradford Council's executive member for safer communities, said: "There is some small scale tension on both sides but we know where it is and are keeping a lid on it. We have a good network of communications so we can spot these things early."
A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "It is impossible to expect that everyone will get along with one another, but we are not aware of any serious issues.
"We would, however, encourage people to report any concerns that they may have, as we will investigate all reports seriously and do not tolerate racially-motivated crimes of any description."
e-mail: steve.wright @bradford.newsquest.co.uk
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