THE AFGHAN community celebrated its tenth annual cultural day with a festival of music, fashion, food and comedy.

The event at Brent Town Hall welcomed members of the public to enjoy and learn about the beleaguered country’s positive side.

The British Afghan Women’s Society, which organised the event, also raised much-needed funds for ACT 4 Education a charity that provides equipment for schools in Afghanistan.

Zarghona Rassa, director of the Society, said: “It was a fantastic day. It was the first time the young people organised the event which is really important.

 “It’s not often you see young Afghan boys and girls singing and dancing together. We want to change perceptions of the community.”

The society also aims to educate its own community about maintaining its culture and fostering through workshops.

Ms Rassa said: “The largest group of unaccompanied (immigrant) minors are Afghanis but there are no Afghan foster parents. We need to change this.”

Brent’s Mayor Cllr Harbhajan Singh opened the event praising the Society’s work before enjoying the colourful sights and sounds himself.