Mike Penning congratulates organisers of Hemel Mela
18th August 2009
Mike Penning has congratulated all those involved in the organisation of Hemel’s first Mela.
Hemel Hempstead MP, Mike Penning, joined hundreds of local people in enjoying Hemel’s first Mela on Saturday. The family event which promoted the social and cultural aspects of Hemel’s Pakistani community was a great success.
Mike said:
“I congratulate the organisers on a superb event. The Saturday Community School, Global Pindd and Abaan Suqlain of Global Pindd Youth Group did a tremendous job and the mela was enjoyed by everyone who attended.
“I welcome this initiative by the Pakistani community to share their wonderful heritage of music and dance with the wider Hemel community.”
Cllr Suqlain Mahmood added:
“The event was a wonderful exhibition of cross community co-operation and cohesion at its best. It was a great opportunity for the Pakistani community to show the positive sides of Pakistani culture – especially when the national press focus so much on extremism.
“We were delighted that Mike Penning attended – and especially that he wore traditional dress for the occasion.”
“We are very pleased with the success of the event and I would particularly like to thank Dacorum’s Town Centre Manager Jim Guiton, Cllr Alex Bhinder and Tony Gaines – who sang in Urdu.”
