Ipswich praised for race relations
19 August 2006 | 01:16
AS THE foiled terror plot to blow up transatlantic flights causes tensions between ethnic groups nationwide, a community leader from Ipswich has today praised the town for its admirable race relations.
Sushil Soni, honorary vice president of the Ipswich and Suffolk Council for Race Equality, has spoken in the aftermath of last Thursday’s attempted mid-flight bombings.
While Muslim leaders across Britain are working tirelessly to restore trust between different faiths, Mr Soni has commended the attitudes in Ipswich.
Mr Soni, who moved to the UK from India in 1962, said: “Community relationships in Ipswich are very strong.
“The effect of September 11 in New York and the July 7 London bombings by terrorists hardly left any scar on the town of Ipswich and I’m happy to say that seems to be the case with the latest terror scare.
“It has caused tension across the country but here in Ipswich we should recognise the fact the groundwork has been done to stop it.
“I heard a couple of people in the town saying they had a funny look on the streets after 9/11 or 7/7 but it soon filtered out. We are very lucky here.”
Mr Soni is among a group of community leaders from ethnic minority groups who have strived to maintain good relations, working closely with the police and civic authorities.
He is a founder member of the Ipswich and Suffolk Indian Association, a teacher for SIFRE, the Suffolk Interfaith Resource, a member of the local education authority’s Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SAFRE) and secretary for the Eastern Region Unison Black Members Group.
Mr Soni said: “Of course there’s always more which can be done to build on the existing relationships. “One of the reasons we held an Indian mela festival this summer was to get people together – it was a great gathering.
“We make people aware we are always here and willing to help.”
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