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A doctored picture of a Mayor attending a Pride occasion has been condemned.
Hundreds took half in a sequence of celebrations and actions throughout the borough as a part of the official Blackburn Pride occasion over the weekend, which has been hailed as a giant success.
Those sharing an edited model of a photograph of the Blackburn with Darwen Mayor, Councillor Suleman Khonat, holding a cardboard ‘Insta’ body from the East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust have been labelled as “pernicious” and “ignorant”.
On Saturday, a parade by means of the streets of Blackburn made its manner by means of the city centre, and among the many individuals was Cllr Suleman Khonat.
Over the weekend, a picture was shared throughout WhatsApp with the Mayor holding up the selfie body, which had been edited to point out the phrase “I Love Qawm-e-Lut”.
The phrase refers back to the Quranic story the place punishments have been meted out to the individuals of Lut. The phrase had been written above the East Lancashire Health Trust selfie body picture and shared over the weekend.
Further social media posts criticised the Mayor for participating within the festivities, calling it a “shame”, however this response to the picture has obtained condemnation.
Community activist Asif Mahmud spoke out over the picture which he mentioned had been created to trigger resentment. He additionally identified how some Muslim households had attended the festivities on the day.
He mentioned: “I applaud the Mayor for attending the Pride occasion.
“The doctored pictures that are circulating are pernicious and other people ought to keep away from forwarding such photos.
“The LGBTQ+ neighborhood fortunately have now equal rights and must be supported by the Mayor and all different members who’ve civic positions.
“Those who unfold anti LGBTQ+ messages are typically coming from a place of worry and ignorance.
“The LGBTQ+ neighborhood has confronted discrimination and persecution for a lot too lengthy and we should assist them.
“People have a proper to disagree, however they don’t have a proper to cease them residing their lives the way in which they want to. An excessive 5 to Mayor Solly Khonat.”
Cllr Khonat was contacted and mentioned he was “undeterred” however wouldn’t remark any additional.
Cllr Jim Shorrock, who helped to organise the Blackburn Pride occasion, added: “There have been no actual points on the day and everyone had a improbable time. It was higher than anybody may have anticipated.
“One of probably the most fantastic issues was that we had a very numerous viewers with individuals from all communities participating and having fun with the festivities.
“It is the job of the Mayor to attend all occasions and we totally condemn any derogatory feedback made by a minority of individuals. It is completely unacceptable.”
