Leicestershire Police and Crime Commissioner Lord Willy Bach will join Chief Constable Simon Cole for a special radio interview later this week to mark the start of Ramadan.
The PCC and Chief Constable have been invited to join Ramadan Radio Leicester on Friday to celebrate the start of the Holy month and to reassure communities of the efforts being taken locally to stem the spread of the Covid-19 and support vulnerable people. The programme, Covid-19 Community Response is hosted by Cllr Kirk Master, Deputy PCC.
With lockdown restrictions in place and mass gatherings prohibited, Ramadan’s holy celebrations will be different this year with families forced to rely on technology to unite with loved-ones and participate in prayers.
The PCC and Chief Constable, who is chairman of the Local Resilience Forum which is coordinating the complex local response to the crisis through its Covid-19 Strategic Coordinating Group, will discuss the unprecedented changes local people have had to adapt to since the outbreak began and how community spirit is bringing people of all faiths, cultures and backgrounds together to help one another.
Willy Bach said: “This is a special time for Muslims in Leicestershire and a time when, traditionally, families travel long distances to be with one another. Unfortunately, this isn’t possible this year but I’ve no doubt that our communities will find alternative ways to share those precious moments and reach out to their friends and family members.
“In these deeply unsettling times, we need reassurance and to feel connected and radio is able to bridge the distance. We’re very grateful for the opportunity to reach out to the Muslim community during this blessed month to share the local work going on to support vulnerable groups and to keep people safe.”
Chief Constable, Simon Cole QPM, said: “I am honoured to be invited onto Radio Ramadan to talk to our Muslim community here in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
“We recognise that Ramadan this year will look and feel very different due to the restrictions but we are confident that our communities fully understand and support the Government’s social distancing measures. The message this year is that is being led and shared by Muslim community leaders is to fast and pray at home and share Ramadan digitally or via other means. This is the way to help save lives.
“We will continue to protect and engage with all of our local communities during this time.
“For us as an organisation, we are also very mindful of our own staff and officers who will be observing Ramadan and the support we will need to give to them during this holy month.”
Radio Ramadan is a special Islamic Radio which broadcasts 24 hours a day throughout the month of Ramadan in the UK.
The interview will be aired on Friday (April 24) at 5pm on Ramadan Radio Leicester 95.1 FM.
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Posted on Wednesday 22nd April 2020