A cafe owner who led a ‘Banish Hate’ day has been praised by an American mayor.

Manzoor Ali, who runs Barakah Foods and Barakah Food Aid in Manchester decided to respond to the ‘Punish a Muslim Day’ with random acts of kindness.

Along with members of his family he organised a ‘Banish Hate Day’ and handed out free tea, cake and biscuits to people passing his shop.

Now he has received a £5 donation and a letter from Mayor Jake Spano who lives almost 4,000 miles away in Minnesota.

Mr Spano is Mayor of St Louis Park and sent over a £5 note which he has kept with him since living in London 28 years ago!

In the letter Mr Spano says, “Let me start by thanking you from across the Atlantic on behalf of my Muslim and non-Muslim friends. We need more people like you in the world! I’m sorry you face such fear, resentment and threats based on unfounded prejudices.

“Enclosed you will find one of my most treasured possessions, a £5 note that I’ve been keeping as a reminder of one of the greatest times of my life.”

Manzoor said, “When I opened the letter my wife looked at my face and I was choked and filled with tears.

“I have just been on a high. We were just giving a bit of tea to passers by. But look at where a little bit of positivity has gone.

“He has given us something that is so personal. A hand-written letter. It means a lot.

“What must have his heart have been feeling to send this?”

In the letter American Mayor Spano says, “I’m sorry you face such fear, resentment and threats based on unfounded prejudices.

“Enclosed you will find one of my most treasured possessions, a £5 note that I’ve been keeping as a reminder of one of the greatest times of my life.

“In 1989 & 1990 I lived in Ealing, England as a foreign student studying at Ealing College (now called the University of West London). At 18yrs old, it was my first time away from the U.S. and growing up in Kansas, it was an abrupt and glorious shock to my world view. Walking down the street to school, hearing all the languages spoken on the street and enjoying all the smells coming out of the stores and cafes opened my mind to a whole new world.

“As I have said to others, living in the UK was the most formative and inspirational experiences of my life.

“So, this £5 note has been with me for 28years, however, it’s time to return it to another inspirational element of life - you. Hopefully this will cover the costs of one of your guests and remind you that someone you do not know, is thinking and supporting you and all in my adoptive home.”

Speaking of the Banish Hate Day campaign he said, “The response was just phenomenal.

“This Punish a Muslim Day letter was horrible. But we can’t let things like this stop us leading our lives.

“And in many ways we needed to stop spreading this fear.

“Carry on your day regardless. Live your life and carry on.

“I was hearing of people saying they should be boycotting the UK. How silly was that?”

Manzoor has been organising food parcels for the homeless as part of ‘Barakah Food Aid,’ something he helped to begin eight years ago.

He said, “We started giving out food parcels to the homeless.

“We are now also providing food parcels for families that are struggling. We provide food and toiletries for a week.

“The community donate the food and money comes in small drips. We just try to do our bit to assist those most in need.”

For more information, visit facebook.com/BarakahFoodAid .