Police in Wakefield are to be given an insight into the Islamic faith in a series of training sessions at a local mosque. Officers will attend one of six sessions being held at the Jamia Swafia Masjid mosque in Park Lodge Lane, Wakefield, aimed at increasing officers’ understanding of the Islamic faith as well as forging local contacts. They will be given an insight into Islam as well as a tour of the mosque and information about its role in the community. PHOTOCALL: Media are invited to the Jamia Swafia Masjid mosque in Park Lodge Lane at 12.30pm on Thursday January 28 where officers and other community representatives will be available for interviews and photos.
Two of our distinguished community members were honoured at the Primes Minister's residence, No 10 Downing Street, last week. Jahangir Khan and Majid Sadiq were invited to Downing Street as part of the Community Heroes reception where they met with Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Wakefield MP Mary Creagh and Shahid Malik MP amongst others. As well as attending the reception at Downing Street, the duo also toured the House of Commons. Jahangir Khan is the brain behind the Sahara Youth Centre on Chald Lane which provides sporting, educational and cultural activities for youngsters. Sport4U, run by Majid Sadiq, provides sports and recreational facilities for young people and is based at Lightwaves centre. Read on to see photos of the event.
The local Neighbourhood Policing Teams hold regularly PACT Meetings (Police and Community Together). PACT meetings are your opportunity to discuss issues affecting you in the area you live, raise concerns about problems you have and also to find out what the police are doing about any problems you may have. Local Priorities are agreed with you at the meeting and regular updates will be provided on the selected priorities. Wakefield Police encourage you to attend and so that we are able to work together to make the area you live a safer community. Read on to see the PACT documents in Punjabi and Urdu.
In partnership with Wakefield MDC’s Sport and Active Lifestyles and YDSS (Young People’s service), we are working on a bid that gives an opportunity to change Lightwaves into a world class youth & community centre. Please come to have a look and share your views. You are also invited to our annual Fast for Peace & Unity meal at 7.30 pm. There will be a collection for the schools project in Kotli, Pakistan. Open public consultation meeting on Tuesday 15 September between 5.30 and 7.00 pm. Presentation & discussion at 6.00 pm.
There have been a spate of incidents in the College Grove area recently where rubbish has been placed in people's bins. One morning local residents awoke to find their bins filled with rubbish that had been placed overnight by persons unknown. Unfortunately this problem has probably come about due to overcrowded rented houses in the area. If you see anyone dumping refuse illegaly then please report them to the council. You can report it to the council call centre on 01924 306090 or report it here.
Cageprisoners invites you to Toxic Legacy - The Gitmo Effect, for a discussion on the legacy of Guantanamo on the War on Terro featuring Omar Deghayes (former Guantanamo detainee), Yvonne Ridley (Broadcast Journalist, Cageprisoners Patron) and Andy Worthington (Journalist and author of The Guantanamo Files). The event will take place at 7-10pm on Friday 31st July at Wakefield City High School.
Well they are at it again. The same team that toured Pakistan, Kenya, Far East, Emirates and South America visited China recently to see the delights of the orient. Although cricket was not on the agenda this time around, the tour had a full programme of cultural visits. Places visited included Beijing, Xian, Guilin, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Abu Dhabi. See their photos here.
'Misconceptions of Islam in the Media' is an event being held at Wakefield Town Hall on Sunday 22nd February 2009. The event is scheduled to run between 1pm and 3pm with the guest speaker Abdur Raheem Green. The address for the venue is Wakefield Town Hall, Wood street, Wakefield, WF1 2HQ. All are welcome.
Sports4U are holding a football and dance session at Lightwaves Sports Centre every Saturday from 6pm to 9pm. The football session is for ages 10-19 whereas the dance course is for ages 14-18. Its all FREE - just turn up and enjoy.
In the latest crackdowns on drug dealers in Wakefield, West Yorkshire Police launched Operation Grassland targeting suspected drug dealers. The operation has netted more than 100 arrests, confiscated cars and money in dawn raids across the Wakefield district. Whilst the community welcomed this move there was an innocent casualty. One asian home was raided in the early hours early this week through aggressive and shock police tatics. The front door of the house was knocked through without warning and the house raided with the occupants, including young children, screaming in fear. The police were in search of a known criminal who had not lived at the address for some years. West Yorkshire Police has accepted responsibility, have had the door replaced and apologised to the family. However, no amount of apologising can erase the embarrassment this respected family faced after having their home raided and front entrance boarded for days. Members of he community have expressed extreme disappointment at this latest event. One local commented, "After 7/7 the police have been given an open license to terrorise people, especially BME communities. Just as Jean Charles de Menezes was chased and killed, the police , through their arrogance and aggression, are using heavy handed tactics against us.Yes, we want the police to clear the menace of drugs but not at the cost of terrorising innocent families and children". The family is said to be considering their options. It is worth noting that despite pleas from the community, the police have failed to apprehend and convict any major drug dealers from the College Grove area in the last few years.
Asalaam-a-lekum, as the holy month of Ramadan is nearly upon it is time for Muslims to reflect on their lives and how we may help ourselves and others around us. One of the major concerns in the South Asian communities is drug use and how this issue is tackled within the family and the community. It is acknowledged that there is a need for drug service provision for BME Communities, including anti- discriminatory strategies, publicity and breaking barriers associated with service access. Working with substance misuse is what we do everyday as a service, we realise that the issues concerning the BME communities are different to other ethnic groups such as stigma attached, shame to the family and denial, which sometimes hinders the process of receiving the professional help that is available. At Turning Point we offer a confidential service to anyone in the Wakefield and District area who are concerned about their own or another’s drug use, whether the drugs are illicit (Heroin, crack/cocaine, cannabis, etc) or prescribed (e.g. Tranquillisers).
"Set against the background of the global market, with exotic taste sensations and fabulous aromas, the Mela stage presents spectacular live entertainment including music and dance from around the world. Encounter street entertainers and marvel as face painters and henna artists set to work on living canvases - you!" Come along on and join the Wakefield Mela - part of the experience Summer Fun Festival 2008. Events include:
Saturday 2 August Cathedral Precinct, Wakefield 11am - 6pm
residence, No 10 Downing Street, last week. Jahangir Khan and Majid Sadiq were invited to Downing Street as part of the Community Heroes reception where they met with Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Wakefield MP Mary Creagh and Shahid Malik MP amongst others. As well as attending the reception at Downing Street, the duo also toured the House of Commons. Jahangir Khan is the brain behind the 
Community Together). PACT meetings are your opportunity to discuss issues affecting you in the area you live, raise concerns about problems you have and also to find out what the police are doing about any problems you may have. Local Priorities are agreed with you at the meeting and regular updates will be provided on the selected priorities. Wakefield Police encourage you to attend and so that we are able to work together to make the area you live a safer community. Read on to see the PACT documents in Punjabi and Urdu. 
There have been a spate of incidents in the College Grove area recently where rubbish has been placed in people's bins. One morning local residents awoke to find their bins filled with rubbish that had been placed overnight by persons unknown. Unfortunately this problem has probably come about due to overcrowded rented houses in the area. If you see anyone dumping refuse illegaly then please report them to the council. You can report it to the council call centre on 01924 306090 or 
Well they are at it again. The same team that toured Pakistan, Kenya, Far East, Emirates and South America visited China recently to see the delights of the orient. Although cricket was not on the agenda this time around, the tour had a full programme of cultural visits. Places visited included Beijing, Xian, Guilin, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Abu Dhabi. See their 
Sports4U are holding a football and dance session at Lightwaves Sports Centre every Saturday from 6pm to 9pm. The football session is for ages 10-19 whereas the dance course is for ages 14-18. Its all FREE - just turn up and enjoy.