BOPA Conference in UK on Asian Contribution In First World War

Dear friends,

BOPA organised a conference to raise awareness about “Asian Contribution in World War 1” in Coventry at Belgrade Theatre on Saturday 17^thJanuary, 2015 at 2 PM. This event was organised to support Mr Paul Sabapathy, HM Lord Lieutenant for West Midlands who wanted to highlight that history of British Asians in UK did not start with immigration in early sixties but goes far back to the days of World War 1. Col Bob Gamble and his team from Royal British Legion also supported BOPA with this event because it is one of their aims to ensure that British Asians also take part in Centenary Commemoration of World War 1 taking place in the country.

I am attaching a programme for the day and it was a great learning experience for all those who attended the event. The Belgrade Theatre team was at its best in helping BOPA to stage this important event for Asian community that was represented by members from all communities, community leaders, faith leaders, political leaders from all parties, academics, representatives from local schools, civic dignitaries, HM Lord Lieutenants from West Midlands & Warwickshire, senior servicemen from Royal Navy, Air Force and Army.

Lord Bishop of Coventry Dr Christopher Cocksworth, Patron of BOPA, extended welcome to all the guests on behalf of BOPA and Lord Mayor of Coventry Councillor Hazel Noonan opened the event on behalf of City of Coventry. Various dignitaries included Baroness Flather (BOPA Patron), Acting Concullate General of India, Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Mayor of Rugby, Mayor of Solihull, Mayor of Walsall, Commodore Jamie Miller with two other Commanders from Royal Navy, Many senior ranking officers from Air Force, Army, cadets and officers from world famous Gurkhas.

We were successful in getting help from Media – TV& Radio, published media and also electronic and social media. The event was a great challenge for the volunteers of BOPA team and I am proud to say that BOPA team demonstrated that we can take any challenge. It was amazing experience for us and also for our visitors and the greatest achievement for us was to make everyone join in roars of “Bole So Nihal” and a bigger challenge was to inspire everyone to join in roars of “Allah O Akbar” and my friends informed me that five minutes after this great excitement, local police was seen in the upper balcony trying to investigate if everything was OK. One of my Hindu Brahmin friend who was visiting from India, later wrote to me that he never imagined that he’ll ever join everyone in saying “Allah O Akbar” and he was compelled to do so because he was momentarily convinced that it was OK to do so in the interest of showing respect to fellow citizens, peace and harmony. Lord Mayor of Birmingham Councillor Shafique Shah, won the hearts of everyone when he distanced Islam and British Society from Extremist elements and urged everyone to contribute to peace and harmony.

On behalf of BOPA team, I would like to thank everyone who supported us with this event, particularly servicemen, Lord Lieutenant Tim Cox and Lord Lieutenant Paul Sabapathy who gave us so much time and helped us with media coverage – taking our messages to Hindu, Sikh & Muslim fellow British Asians. Lord Lieutenant Paul Sabapathy has won the hearts of British Asians by being an example himself and in the process endeared Her Majesty the Queen to the British Asians in UK.

I am attaching some photos, programme, only some of the numerous feedbacks and links to media coverage for your kind attention.

We hope to get your support in future BOPA events.

BBC Midlands News – Saturday 17^th Jan evening news

https://www.youtube.com/edit?o=U&video_id=Zv5sQw4cXAQ

Sikh Akaal TV – Sikh Community

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElkHOA7ADlQ&feature=youtu.be

Takbeer TV – Muslim Community

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PueqsVMw7DU&feature=youtu.be

Kanshi TV – Venus TV – Indian Community –

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N34lmYpwNow

Tally Koren – Jewish Singer – Free Will Peace song

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tk-355kfk7c