The new Lord Mayor of Bradford Councillor Ghazanfer Khaliq today spoke of his wish to unite the district's communities following a flare-up of violence in the city.

Coun Khaliq, a Muslim who worships in the Thornbury Road mosque near his home, was installed as first citizen at the mayor-making ceremony in City Hall today.

He follows in the footsteps of Councillor Mohammed Ajeeb, who hit the national headlines as Bradford's and Britain's first Asian Lord Mayor in May 1985.

Coun Khaliq, whose wife Shahnaz Khaliq will be Lady Mayoress, was born in Chak Harzam, Mirpur, in Pakistan.

His mother, who is still in Pakistan, will be able to see him become first citizen of the district he has lived in for 25 years because highlights from the mayor-making ceremony will go on the Internet for the first time.

The couple have four children aged 16, 15, seven and five.

Coun Khaliq invited the heads of all major faiths to attend the ceremony as a symbol of his wish to bring the district together.

Representatives from the Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Jewish and Sikh faiths gave their blessing and good wishes for his year of office.

He said: "I would like to see better understanding between the different communities and try to build good race relations in Bradford.

"I am very concerned about the recent violence. It promoted a negative image of the city when it has a great deal to be proud of."

Coun Khaliq, 50, who has represented Bradford Moor for Labour for 13 years, aims to improve services for young people, the elderly and people with disabilities.

His leisure activities include playing cricket, snooker, pool and walking.

Coun Khaliq has served as chairman of the disabilities sub-committee, a member of West Yorkshire Police Authority and Bradford North Area Panel.

He said he would do everything possible to promote Bradford's bid to be Europe's Capital of Culture in the year 2008.

"It is, in fact, already the capital of many cultures," he said.

Coun Khaliq trained as a capstan setter operator but has also worked as a community liaison officer, social worker and has been self-employed, running his own business.

He and Mrs Khaliq, 42, have been married for 18 years and the new Lady Mayoress enjoys dressmaking and cooking.

Retiring Lord Mayor Councillor Stanley King carried out his last civic engagement only an hour before handing over his chains of office.

Coun King, who is returning officer for Bradford North, South and West parliamentary constituencies, and the High Sheriff of Bradford, John Stoddart Scott, returning officer for Keighley and Shipley, received the election writs, which were presented to them by a senior Royal Mail official.