REPRESENTATIVES of the Board of Deputies of British Jews made a two-day visit to East Lancashire last week.

They visited Jamiatul Ilm Wal Huda school in Blackburn and the new Raza Jamia Mosque in Accrington and met Islamic community leaders.

During the second day of the visit on Friday Senior Vice-President Sheila Gewolb who led the delegation condemned the terrorist attack on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, as a 'callous, depraved act'.

She pledged: "By visiting mosques and Muslim communities in Lancashire, we are saying loud and clear that the Jewish community are allies and friends to Muslims.

"We are leaving Lancashire now with even stronger relationships with our Muslim friends.

"We will continue fighting anti-Muslim hatred no matter where it arises, as we have done before, whether it is on the street, in the media, or in politics.”

On Thursday Board of Deputies Vice-President Edwin Shuker held meetings with the Lancashire Council

of Mosques, the leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council Cllr Mohammed Khan, and equalities expert Cllr Saima Afzal MBE.

Mr Shuker was accompanied by Deputy Karen Maxwell, and Interfaith Officer Anthony Silkoff.