First workshop in Blackburn mosque attracts 100 people (From Lancashire Telegraph)

First workshop in Blackburn mosque attracts 100 people

1:00pm Friday 2nd November 2012 in News By Bill Jacobs, Local government reporter

A HUNDRED people came to a public health workshop yesterday at the Jamia Ghosia Masjid on Chester Street — the first such event held in a Blackburn mosque.

The attendance — above the 60 target — delighted organisers who have six more events aimed at the Asian community in the next eight months.

Lancashire Council of Mosques chairman Salim Mulla urged other mosques in Burnley, Nelson and across the east of the county to join the Baiter Sehat (Better Health) drive.

The cancer awareness workshop was organised by the One Voice network, set up to improve the health and well-being of the borough’s deprived and often ethnic minority communities, and the NHS Blackburn with Darwen Care Trust.

It followed concerns that the 400 breast cancer cases diagnosed in East Lancashire last year included an alarming number of Asian women.

One Voice trustee Abrar Hussain said: “The workshop was well attended by more than 100 people, mainly women. It centred around breast and cervical cancer but also looked at lung and bowel cancer.

“We will be holding a further event in a mosque but we are using different venues around the town. Our first was at Bangor Street Community Centre and we will be looking at mental health at St Cyrus’s Church next month.”

Coun Mulla said: “I hope to see mosques in Burnley, Nelson and across the east of the county taking part in such events.”

The workshop offered a full health check, important advice on cancer issues, and a special area for women to discuss issues around breast cancer.

They were also able to speak to survivors and cancer nurses.

The project will culminate in a Health Mela next summer.