Bradford’s Centenary Square glowed warmly this week. Community leaders, faith representatives, and local residents came together to unveil a multi-faith festive tree.
This annual tradition captures the city’s spirit better than any speech or slogan.
The multi-faith tree was installed beside the city’s main Christmas tree. The Bradford Bronte Rotary Club organised it again, inviting businesses, organisations, and individuals to sponsor baubles that symbolise their commitment to an inclusive civic life.
As each ornament was hung on the branches, it served as a small act of solidarity. It visually reminded everyone of the people who live, work, and worship alongside one another.
At the launch event, civic leaders and representatives from Bradford’s major faith communities attended.
The Deputy Lord Mayor, Cllr Fozia Shaheen, praised the city’s tradition of coexistence. Many speakers reflected on how meaningful moments of unity are, especially when global events often emphasise division.
For Rotary Club president Saleem Kader, the celebration was both festive and personal. He recalled arriving in Bradford in the 1970s, a time filled with its own challenges and misunderstandings.
This experience, he said, inspired a lifelong commitment to connecting people and building trust among communities. “Bradford already knows how to live together,” he remarked. “Sometimes, we just need a reminder of how much that matters.”
Faith leaders shared his views. Pastor Nathan Javed of Grace Urdu Hindi Church described the event as a display of shared compassion – a gesture of “love and care” offered to the city and everyone who calls it home.
Long-serving Rotary member Anne Griffin noted that multiculturalism in Bradford is not just a slogan, but a lived experience. It strengthens each time people gather across different traditions and backgrounds to celebrate their common ground.
As the speeches ended, religious figures stepped forward to hang their baubles. Each one represented a community, organisation, or business dedicated to promoting peace and understanding. The result was a tree that shone not only with colour but also with meaning.
