A mosque and a charity have joined forces to thank their neighbours for their 'support and kindness', following the tragic deaths of a couple in Blackburn.
The Masjid-e-Quwwatul Islam in Stansfeld Street became the focal point where people paid their respects after the deaths of Ismail Ahmed Leli, 80, and Fatma Leli, 78. The mosque is based just around the corner from Hardman Street where the couple were found dead last week.
On Tuesday, the family, Benefit Mankind, mosque members and children went door-to-door to thank residents for their ‘support and solidarity’ they had shown during what was an incredibly difficult and emotional time for the community.
Organisers said they wanted to demonstrate that ‘during moments of sadness and difficulty, communities can come together regardless of faith, background or culture’, supporting one another and strengthening the bonds between neighbours.
The Vicar of St Luke’s, Rev Jason Gardner, Rachel Gardner and assistant priest John Lilse joined the initiative, saying they wanted to share the importance of different faiths standing side-by-side and promoting unity, understanding and compassion within the community.
Local children helped distribute gifts which were provided by Morrisons in Blackburn.
A spokesperson for Masjid-e-Quwwatul Islam said: “We wanted to personally thank our neighbours and the wider community for the tremendous love and support they have shown. At difficult moments, acts of kindness remind us what community truly means.
“We may come from different faiths, cultures and backgrounds, but we are neighbours first. Peace, compassion and respect are values that unite us all.”
Colette Charnock who lives close to the mosque said she had been ‘heartbroken’ to hear of what had happened.
“It was absolutely shocking. I was totally upset.
“They were a lovely couple and had been on that street for so many years.”
She said it was wonderful for the family to reach out and added: “It was a very good idea to say thank you since the sad news.
“It is good that we are one community. All together. Never been divided. I don’t believe in divisions.”
CEO of Benefit Mankind Dr Hafiz Abdussamad Mulla said: “At times of sadness and difficulty, it is more important than ever that we come together rather than allow ourselves to become divided.
"Blackburn is a community made up of many faiths, cultures and backgrounds, but the values of love, peace, kindness and compassion belong to us all.
“Unity is not simply about standing together when times are good; it is about being there for one another when our neighbours are hurting.
“The support shown by the wider community over the past week has been incredibly moving, and this initiative is our way of saying thank you while reminding everyone that there is far more that unites us than divides us.
“Our message is simple: choose love over division, peace over hostility and compassion over indifference. When we look after our neighbours and stand side-by-side, we build stronger, safer and more caring communities for our children and future generations.”
More than £5,000 has been raised on the JustGiving page by the charity in memory of Haji Ismail Ahmed Leli and Hajiani Fatima Ismail Leli.
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