Officers in Bury celebrate Eid with their community

Wednesday, 2 April 2025 08:30

By David Murphy

Chief Inspector Michael Barton and Inspector Abed Hussain celebrate Eid in Bury

The name Eid al-Fitr translates as "the festival of the breaking of the fast".

- Thousands of people gathered to celebrate the Muslim festival of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan on Monday 31 March 2025.

- Neighbourhood officers in Bury had conducted several proactive engagements with faith leaders across Bury’s nine mosques to ensure their safety and a peaceful Ramadan.

- The Bury Muslim Forum – which consists off all nine mosques in Bury, the Muslim Community Hubs and key leaders - invited mosques into the police station one month out from Ramadan to allow faith leaders from each mosque to tell police any concerns they may have and any issues that could arise during the month.

Officers actively engaged with community members to promote safety awareness during Ramadan.

Led by the Chief Inspector for Neighbourhood Policing in Bury, Michael Barton and Inspector Abed Hussain, officers have struck up a vital relationship with members of the Muslim community across the district.

Inspector Hussain, who conducts engagement with the Muslim communities across Bury, said: “I am very grateful for all the cooperation that all the mosques have given me and the trust they have put into the police. There was a real sense of community spirit at all the mosques we visited on the day.

“All the mosques are doing amazing work in Bury and we will continue to work closely with them advising us on key religious dates and how they would like to be policed in Bury.”

Ch Insp Barton and Insp Hussain attended Jamia Khizra Mosque where Insp Hussain joined in with Eid prayers and celebrated Eid with the community.

Around 2,000 worshippers attend the mosque and all where very appreciative of the officers.

After the prayers, officers were greeted by Eid Mubarak, shaking hands with the congregation and having photographs taken.

Molana Bilal, Head Imam from Jamia Khizra Mosque Parker Street, said: “After the Eid prayers, we advised all youngsters not to cause any antisocial behaviour and to celebrate Eid with their families peacefully. I am very grateful to Bury police for all their support during Ramadan.”

Abdul Haffez, Anjum Chair of Jami Khizra Mosque, said: “Throughout the month of Ramadan, the police have made us feel safe. I would like to give a big thank you to the police for all their efforts during Ramadan.”

Officers were invited to Imaam Bargah Hornby Street where Chief Inspector Barton and Inspector Hussain were brought to the front of the congregation in recognition of their contribution towards a peaceful Ramadan, where they received a round of applause. Approximately 500 people were in attendance.

Saqeb Raza, Chair of Imaam Bargah, said: “Officers will pop in and visit us with all the respect, they will come out and meet the congregation, have a tea or a coffee and speak to our congregation.

“Year on year our relationship with the police has improved and it is excellent. They work very hard to protect us and I would like to thank them from us all in this community.”

Chief Inspector Michael Barton added: “I’m hugely honoured to be invited to celebrate Eid in all the mosques across Bury. This engagement is vitally important to continue building relationships between the police and the community of Bury.

“We work hard to keep our communities safe, not just during Ramadan but throughout the year. To experience this hospitality and to break fast throughout Ramadan is truly humbling

“The warmth and the welcome the police has been given has been excellent and greatly appreciated.”