Community gathering highlights unity across faiths
Speakers while addressing a meeting in Hounslow-UK on Wednesday evening.
LONDON
The Goan community in Hounslow gathered at the local marketplace on Wednesday for an open evening to express anger, frustration and solidarity with Goans in India following recent controversial remarks about their patron saint, Saint Francis Xavier, in Goa.
The event, organised by Peter Miranda and Elvis Fernandes at the Market Place in Hounslow, West London, drew a large crowd from across Hounslow and surrounding areas.
Community members from across faiths attended in significant numbers, reflecting the depth of feeling on the issue. Hindus, Muslims and Catholics stood together, highlighting a shared Goan identity that transcends religious differences.
Several speakers addressed the gathering, calling for respect and accountability.
Among them was Andrew, who spoke on the importance of cultural identity and unity in the face of criticism. The organisers, Peter Miranda and Elvis Fernandes, also addressed attendees, thanking the community for its support and urging continued collective action.
In her address, Pamila Rodrigues, Labour Party candidate for Hounslow Central ward, outlined plans to submit a formal petition to a local Member of Parliament, noting that Hounslow is represented by three Labour MPs. She said the aim was to ensure the concerns of the Goan community are raised at a higher level.
She added that she would urge the MP to write to the Indian High Commission in the United Kingdom, seeking accountability from the Government of Goa over the remarks.
Bunty Vaz was the emcee, maintaining the flow of the evening while also addressing the audience. He introduced Shakeela, a Goan Muslim, whose presence underscored a key message of the event: unity across faiths.
The gathering concluded with a renewed call for unity and collective action. Attendees said the event demonstrated the strength of the Goan community in Hounslow and its determination to respond firmly while remaining united across religious and cultural lines.
