St Andrew's Methodist Church in Undercliffe hosts service to condemn religious intolerance and remember the victims of Shanti Nagar

St Andrew's Methodist Church, on Otley Road in Undercliffe, hosted a service to honour the memories of those killed when Shanti Nagar was attacked and set on fire by militant extremists on February 6, 1997.

The church has since established the Shanti Nagar St Andrew's Trust, a charitable trust providing financial, material, and moral support to the current residents of the village.

It sends £3,400 a year in support, which has been used to pay for health workers and teachers, books and uniforms for school children, and medical treatments.

The annual commemoration is organised by Saleem Dutt, Martin Bashforth, and Faisal Khan.

Mr Khan said the event was a "peaceful gathering where Christians and Muslims joined to pray against persecution across the world."

Special guests included Bradford MPs Imran Hussain, Naz Shah, and Judith Cummins, Mohammed Rafiq Sehgal, president of the Bradford Council for Mosques, and community activist Asif Khan.

Mr Hussain, who delivered a speech as part of the service, said: "Religious minorities, both Christians and Muslims, are still being persecuted for their beliefs.

"The international community must do more to stop these injustices happening, we must never turn a blind eye.

"Hatred and injustice will never be tolerated."