VICTIMS of genocide were remembered yesterday at a special memorial concert hosted by Bolton Interfaith Council.

The ceremony, scheduled to fit in with Refugee Week, saw Bolton Council of Mosques, Bolton Hindu Forum, Bolton Christian Community Cohesion and Bolton Interfaith Council conduct prayers and readings to remember victims of genocide around the world.

Situated on Bolton Town Hall steps, pupils and teachers from Gilnow Primary School and Brandwood Community Primary School performed Sing With Me, and Bolton Interfaith Council ambassadors Sophia Ademolu and her sister Christiana sang the hymn Amazing Grace and John Lennon’s Imagine.

Maria Obera from Smile of Hope — a project which aims to raise awareness and promote integration of cultures in Bolton and Manchester — spoke about her own personal story, coming over to Bolton from Mozambique, before the group performed a drumming piece.

The Mayor of Bolton Cllr Martin Donaghy attended the service, along with leader of Bolton Council Cllr Cliff Morris.

The afternoon was to remember victims of conflicts in Syria, Sudan, and central Africa, and the 200 Nigerian schoolgirls who were kidnapped in April by Islamic militants Boko Haram.

Chan Parmar, strategic officer at Bolton Interfaith Council, said: “Each year during Refugee Week we remember the victims of genocide from around the world, and remember the suffering that so many people have gone through — such as losing their loved ones and moving so far away from their homes.

“Today’s event was excellent. The contribution of people from Africa and all other support from communities in Bolton made it a memorable event.”