Sending a strong message of peace and solidarity to Wales Muslim community, hundreds of people took part in a rally held in Newport city on Saturday to show solidarity with the religious minority in response to a planned far-right demonstration.
Saturday's rally was planned after the Welsh Alliance, an English Defence League (EDL) splinter, announced plans to hold anti-Muslim rally in Newport.
The far-right Walsh Alliance has announced its anti-Islam march a few months ago after a peaceful Muslim march last September.
More than 200 people, including socialist campaigners, Muslims and Christians, took part in the rally that marched from the Jamia Mosque on Commercial Street to Westgate Square.
"I have come here today to tell everybody that (not all Muslims) are the same," Ishfaq Hussain, vice secretary of the Islamic Society for Wales, said.
We are here to show Newport that we are a model town for unity. Newport is very diverse, it has great culture and I don't think anyone will ever really break that," Aftab Shah, who was among those outside the Jamia Mosque, told.
According to Shah, the far-right protesters must have cancelled their rally after hearing about their peaceful rally.
"We must stand together and never be divided. Newport has a long history and tradition of being a welcoming, tolerant city. That has to be our future as well," Jayne Bryant, Labour's Assembly candidate for Newport West, said.
source : www.abna.ir
