YOUNGSTERS celebrated Pakistan Day and also presented speeches and workshops to discuss how to live in a multicultural society.

The event, at Unity Hall, Nelson, was motivated by the Anjaman Islah-ul-Muslimen, a group of friends from Nelson who have been arranging events for children for 20 years.

Mohammed Hanif, director of Hyndburn and Rossendale Racial Equality Council and one of the organisers, said: "We are a group of about 16 people who get together once a month and donate money to organise four events for children each year; particularly one at Christmas and another on the prophet's birthday.

"We look at religion and how we fit in and look at the community we are living in. We see it as our job to educate children to give them life skills and help them to get involved.

"We had more than 300 children at Unity hall and 80 children organised the event and gave speeches and readings. The youngest was three-and-a-half.

"They then split up into 35 groups, again led by the children, to discuss the issues. All the youngsters who took part were given a present.

"Writing their own speeches and delivering them in front of an audience gives them more confidence and teaches new skills."

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