Yesterday, I put a message through Twitter that I would be participating in an event organized by the Southall Churches:Bethlehem Comes to Southall - The Procession of Witness

I wanted to take a moment to provide my thoughts on this event but not before congratulating all those involved in arranging the event as it was very well organized.

I entered St John's church (Church Avenue, Southall) and was very politely welcomed and seated to view the main Service. In the hall, I saw a few familiar faces belonging to members of the Sikh faith. After the Service we all left the hall for the procession where I took the opportunity to mingle. I approached an elderly Sikh and asked him his purpose of being there to which he replied that he simply wanted to share in this joyous occasion with the rest of the community.

Pause for thought
My mind turned to the recent tragic events of Mumbai and thought that if all of us demonstrated the same type of acceptance and desire to integrate with each other perhaps the world will be much safer and nicer.

The Procession began around 4.30pm from the Havelock Road through King Street, The Green, South Road, Southall Broadway where it ended at the McDonalds. En route sweets, fruits were distributed aplenty among participants free of cost. All those participating sung hymns and danced.

Pause for thought
The congregation was a fantastic microcosm of Southall comprising elderly men and women, mothers with their young children in prams and people of all skin colours. Also, some of the people I spoke to came from as far away as Coventry.

The fact that we had such a diverse range of people involved in this event tells me that Southall is more than just a melting pot. There is a strong sense of community here. There are close ties between those of different faith, age, colour and gender. These observations have helped me to reinforce my pre-existing pride in our community.

Gurcharan