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Mostafa Ragab (Chair of the Egyptian Assoc
UK), Jim Rose (Director of Leisure Services), Mayoress Margaret
Tinsley, Mayor James Tinsley, Afaf AIy (Chair of Egyptian Soc in
NI), Ken Fraser(Head of Racial Equality for OFMDFM), Dr E
Ghareeb, and PSNI Inspector Jeremy Adams at the Egyptian Society
gathering in Lighters Restaurant US4207-402PM Pic by Paul Murphy
THE Chairman of Northern Ireland's Egyptian
Society, who lives in Lisburn, has said events such as a recent
dinner at Lagan Valley Island Civic Centre to mark the end of
the Islamic holy month of Ramadan are sending 'a strong anti
racist message' to everyone in the province.
Mrs. Afaf Aly said this was particularly
important at what was 'a critical time of change' as Northern
Ireland became a multi cultural community more tolerant of other
religions and races.
She said the dinner, which was sponsored by
the Society and the City Council, allowed an exchange of culture
between local people and the province's Muslim and Arab
community.
I was happy to see people from both
communities sitting beside each other and chatting in a friendly
way," she said.
Mrs. Afaf Aly said the event had successfully
introduced Islamic culture to everyone attending but added the
best part of the evening had been the announcement by the Mayor
Councillor James Tinsley of the end of Ramadan and the beginning
of the Festival of Eid.
The exact timing of this announcement, she
explained, is linked to the lunar month. Those attending the
dinner heard an introduction by Dr. Mohy Ismail, a Consultant
Surgeon at Downpatrick Hospital
Other speakers included Mr. Tinsley, the Imam
of the Belfast Islamic Centre Sheikh Anwar Mady, and Mr. Mostafa
Ragab who is Chairperson of the Egyptian Community in London.
A presentation on the work of the Egyptian
Society was given by its Treasurer Dr. M. Fawzy, a Consultant
Radiologist in Craigavon Hospital.
Other guests included Consultant Surgeon Dr.
Essam Ghareeb, Consultant Gynaecologist Dr. Wael Elsergany and
their families.
Also attending were PSNI Inspector Jeremy
Adams, Mr. Ken Frazer of the First Minister's Office, Lisburn
City Council's Director of Leisure Services Mr. Jim Rose,
Consultant Radiologist Dr. Paul Rice and Consultant Surgeons Dr.
Victor Loughlin and Dr. Alan Archbald.
This year the Islamic holy month of Ramadan started on
September 13. During the period following the start of Ramadan
Muslims fast from dawn and break their fast at dusk.
Ulster Star
26/10/2007
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