Grays: South Asian Heritage Month marked by officers, councillor and community

The Essex Police Multi-Ethnic Support Association (MESA) and Thurrock Councillor Qaisar Abbas organised a special event to mark the South Asian Heritage Month on Friday 16 August 2024 in Grays.

The children and artists wearing traditional dresses participated in different activities. The three cakes were cut to mark Pakistan and India’s independence days and South Asian Heritage Month. The event was supported by volunteers of Best British Centre, QAGS Foundation and Sikh Temple. The Gurdwara also provided refreshments and langar, meals, for the event.

The event was held at Grays Community Hall and attended by MESA Chair, Chief superintendent Jenny Barnett, along with fellow MESA members suerintendent Tim Tubbs, Chief Inspector and Thurrock district Commander Anthony Atkin, Inspector Anokhi Chouhan, Sergeant Sadik Miah, Police Constable Luke Watson, Detective Constable Jessica Newberry, DC Jacob Gray, and Essex Police staff Christian Robinson, Hannah Kelly, Julie Joyce.

Local councillors and residents also attended, including Sri Lankan artist Joseph Seelan and international boxer Amanaio Parascjiv.

There were also representatives of community businesses and interest groups C2C, the Job Centre, Thurrock Fostering, EPUT, NELFT, The Change Project, Thurrock History Society, Thurrock Museum, Tilbury Mosque, Grays Park Mosque, Thurrock Hindu Temple, Taleem Mosque, Stanford-Le-Hope Mosque, Grays Gurdwara, the Thurrock Nepalese (Gurkha) Community, Welcome to the UK,parents from Empowering Parents Empowering Communities, British Indian Ocean Territory Citizens, Harrods Lakeside, Skyline, KDH Projects and Thurrock Awareness Ride.

The event was started by observing one minute silence to remember victims of the Southport murders. The internationally renowned Bagpiper, Jo Goddard, played a special lament to remember victims and their families.

MESA Chair and Chief Superintendent Jenny Barnett said:

“The contributions of the South Asian people who came to the UK over many years, and their descendants who form a vibrant and economically active South Asian British community, cannot be underestimated.
"They have enriched our culture and our sense of being a United Kingdom and the diversity that they contribute to within the UK is one of the greatest strengths of our nation.
"It is a privilege to celebrate this month with them, and to be able to participate in this event."

Cllr Qaisar Abbas welcomed guests and said:

“It is an honour to host and organise this joint event to mark South Asian Heritage Month.
"Diversity is our strength, and we all need to stand together as one nation. South Asians have contributed positively to many fields not just in Essex but across the UK and it is now time to recognise and appreciate their contributions and achievements.”

The First Secretary (Political) of Pakistani High Commission, Mr Jawad Ali, said:

“I appreciate MESA, Essex Police and Cllr Abbas for organising this important event.
"The British-Pakistanis are contributing significantly to the development of Pakistan and UK and are acting as a bridge between the two countries.”

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