http://www.theasiannews.co.uk/news/s/1020702_muslim_group_fearful_of_eid_lights_switchoff

A MEMBER of a leading Muslim community group is seeking reassurances
from Rochdale Council that the popular Eid lights will be returning next
year.

Mohammed Shafiq, of the Ramadhan Foundation, fears this will be the last
time that the colourful lights in Milkstone Road will be displayed.

He has vowed to start a petition if the council decides to axe the
lights, but he is hoping that support from the local community will
persuade the council to guarantee the future of the celebrations.

He said: "I’ve heard that the council has not yet made a decision on
whether to bring the lights back, which is very worrying and
disappointing, especially after the successful switch-on last Thursday,
which was attended by ward councillors and the mayor.

"The Muslim community and the whole of Rochdale takes pride in the fact
that we have the resources and facilities to put up the Eid lights.

"It would be very damaging for community relations if the council
decides not to put up the lights again.

"The lights are the best way that the Muslim community can demonstrate
how we celebrate Eid to the wider community and the lights are very
popular.

"We celebrate Christmas in Rochdale and it’s only right that we
celebrate Eid in a similar way."

Jill Hodkinson, Rochdale Council township manager, admitted that the
authority plans to discuss all options before making a final decision.

She said: "The number of residents attending the switch-on event has
reduced significantly during recent years.

"However, no decision has been made about how the lights will be used at
the Eid celebrations next year.

"We do need to look at the options as Eid moves towards the summer
months."

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,2196026,00.html

Jewish schools will be told tomorrow that they can spend government
money securing their grounds because of fears of antisemitic attacks.
Security fencing, CCTV and swipe-card entry systems can now be
installed, they will be told in a letter from the Department for
Children, Schools and Families.

'Pupil safety and school security are, of course, priority matters for
all schools and pupils of every faith or none,' it will say. 'But Jewish
schools and pupils can feel, and sometimes are, particularly
vulnerable.' Jim Knight, the schools minister, will also meet with John
Mann, the MP who chairs the all-party parliamentary group against
antisemitism, which published a report tackling the issue last year.

Knight welcomed calls by the King David school in Manchester for the
state to pay for such security measures and urged schools to apply for
funding.