The Leader, Cllr Peray Ahmet, and the Mayor of Haringey, Cllr Sue Jameson, were joined by representatives of the borough’s Multi-Faith Forum to celebrate this global event and raise the Commonwealth flag in N22.
Following a warm welcome from the Mayor, the President of the London Islamic Cultural Society (LICS)/Wightman Road Mosque, Bibi Khan MBE, read the Commonwealth Affirmation.
Bibi said:
Joining as members of one worldwide Commonwealth community and valuing the personal dignity and worth of every citizen, we raise this flag as a symbol of the ties of kinship and affinity that we cherish.
We draw inspiration from our diversity, and the opportunities for working together, as a rich source of wisdom and a powerful influence for good in the world.
We affirm our commitment to upholding the values set out in the Commonwealth Charter, to serving one another in a spirit of respect and understanding, and to advancing development, democracy and cooperation locally, nationally and internationally.
Cllr Jameson then raised the Commonwealth flag prior to multi-faith prayers from Father Ben Kerridge, the Vicar at the Holy Innocents Church in Hornsey, Bibi Khan MBE and Judith Prinsley, who represents Muswell Hill Synagogue and is on the Board of Deputies of British Jews.
Proceedings were rounded off by St Thomas More pupils Ayana, Chukwuzam, Divina and Ezechiel reading the late Benjamin Zephaniah’s poem ‘We Refugees.’
