Republican News · Thursday 8 August 2002

United colours of Belfast

Sinn Féin Mayor of Belfast Alex Maskey donned traditional African garb when he visited Cairde Bhunscoil Phobhal Feirste's Sceim Samradh in Belfast on Tuesday 29 July to promote Cairde's anti-racist ethos.

Joe Lenaghan of the Equality Commission also visited the Sceim Samhradh and presented Cairde manager Caoimhín MacGiolla Mhín with an anti-racism pack for schools which the Equality Commission has produced.

Also present was Tura Arutura of the African Cultural Centre, who said: "Working with Cairde has been a great experience. As a Zimbabwean I fully respect these children who show great pride in their language and culture and in turn show me the same level of respect and enthusiasm for my culture".

Maskey welcomed the work that Cairde Bhunscoil Feirste is doing "to raise awareness of cultural difference and racism in our society".