Multi-faith festive tree unveiled in Bradford

Ilyas Master (left), representing the city's Muslim community, attaches a bauble to the tree in Centenary Square alongside organiser Saleem Kader

A multi-faith festive tree has been unveiled in Bradford city centre.

Representatives from the city's many different faiths were at the ceremony in Centenary Square earlier.

Each of them fixed a bauble to a 15 ft (4.5m) tall fir tree which stands near a similar-sized tree in the parade space outside City Hall, both provided by Bradford Council.

The Black Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) Business Community arranged the event to celebrate the "positive way" the city and wider district embraces multiculturalism.

Organisers say the multi-faith festive tree is symbolic of how the region embraces multiculturalism

Saleem Kader, a member of the group which is part of the West and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce.

"It [the tree] represents the city and the baubles on there represent the various businesses that come from different backgrounds that work throughout the city.

"This event is really to celebrate how well we exhibit multicultural existence in Bradford and I think it's important to remind people of this."

Mr Kader, who has run Bombay Stores for almost six decades, said times were financially tough but businesses in Bradford had a "fighting spirit".

"I think the message has to be keep doing what you're good at, keep being proud of the city and proud of Bradford...and proud of being a Bradfordian."

Representatives from the Hindu, Muslim, Christian and Sikh communities took part in the ceremony

Ilyas Master is a Bradford businessman and a leader within the Muslim community.

"I'm here to show the community spirit, but also how we can work together," he said.

The city's Hindu community was represented by Jayanti Mistry, who runs a security systems company.

He said he had lived in the city for most of his life and was at the unveiling to celebrate and hoped it would become an annual event.

"This event brings the community and all the faiths together to celebrate this special season of joy together."

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