City’s Indian and Pakistani citizens in unity talks.
Members of Milton Keynes’ Indian and Pakistani communities met last week to demonstrate a shared commitment to peace and cooperation.
The meeting, arranged by the Milton Keynes Council of Faiths, was responding to a request from the Milton Keynes Pakistani and Kashmir Welfare Association, following recent international tensions between the two nations.
The gathering brought together representatives from both countries’ communities in the city to increase understanding of how events far away can impact peoples’ lives in Milton Keynes.
The event was attended by Thames Valley Police Area Commander Emma Baillie who underscored the importance of unity and dialogue in addressing community concerns and fostering understanding, as well as working with communities to help the police understand where the tensions are that could lead to civil disorder.
During the meeting, representatives unanimously agreed on topics including:
- The importance of the history of India and Pakistan which used to be one country, and educating communities about this
- The fragile nature of communities with families close to the border
- The danger of propaganda masquerading as impartial truth
- The need to check sources before sharing and to train others to do so
- Young people often have a clear understanding of the issues and strong desires for peace. They should be given time to speak, and be listened to
- As the world is complex, make Milton Keynes better and show off the best in humanity in how we relate to each other
“This meeting marked a significant step towards building a stronger, more cohesive community in Milton Keynes,” said a Council of Faiths spokesperson. “Together, we aspire to be a beacon of hope and cooperation, proving that despite our differences, we can work hand in hand for a peaceful future.”
“We were very happy to support this event,” said Thames Valley Police. “Milton Keynes is blessed to have religious and community leaders who are very proactive at keeping community cohesion at times of global concerns.
“Conflict in another part of the world can really impact those who live here especially if our residents have extended family overseas impacted by violence, but addressing concerns early as a combined group prevents any escalation here. Together we are stronger, and Milton Keynes is very good at displaying this approach.”
