Tajammul Gurmani
Manchester
The Khidmat Group, in collaboration with the Manchester Urban Ageing Research Group (MUARG) and Guidance Hub, launched a publication titled “Khidmat: Our Stories” at Guidance Hub, Cheetham Hill, Manchester The Lord Mayor of Manchester, Councillor Shaukat Ali, was the chief guest, while Maqsood Ahmed OBE presided over the event. Other guests included Deputy Lord Lieutenant Dr Syed Nayyar Abbas Abidi MBE, Ex-Lord Mayor Councillor Naeem Ul Hasan, Councillor Shazia Butt, Hammad Raza Khan, Waseem Chaudhry, Dr Fasah, Dr Nadia Hassan, Dr Remsha, Dr Noor Sabah, Ex-Mayor Qamar Uz Zaman Gill, Mrs Kausar Parveen, Pamila Malik, Shakeel Kamar, Tariq Lodhi, Ch Mohammad Ishaque, Saqib Raja, Ziaur Rehman, Mehmood Asghar, Sabira Naheed, Syed Kashif Sajjad, community leaders, researchers, and members of the local community.
Chairman of the Khidmat Group, Dr Mohammad Younas Perwaz, in his welcome address, paid tribute to Maqsood Ahmed OBE for his vision and dedication in establishing the Khidmat Group. He explained that the book brings together the inspiring life stories of ordinary people aged 55 and above, presented in clear and accessible language so they can be enjoyed by readers from all backgrounds. Dr Perwaz particularly appreciated the efforts of University of Manchester researchers Dr Camilla Lewis and Dr Niamh Kavanagh, who worked tirelessly with the Asian community to transform research into a book, photography project, and exhibition. He highlighted that this University of Manchester publication is available online in both English and Urdu, making it accessible to a wider audience. He said the stories reflect the resilience, determination, and sacrifices of the first generation of migrants who settled in the United Kingdom. He added that the publication provides younger generations with valuable insight into the challenges faced by their elders and the contributions they have made to society.
The Lord Mayor of Manchester praised the initiative for recognising and preserving the rich heritage of older residents. He presented certificates of appreciation to contributors and participants in recognition of their involvement in the project. He described it as a fantastic opportunity within his constituency. Hammad Raza, coordinator of Khidmat Group, explained how the organisation has been working for the past two years, including conducting interviews and preparing the Urdu translation of the book. The ceremony concluded with a dinner.
