Prime Minister Theresa May hosted the annual Eid al-fitr celebration at 10 Downing Street, amidst serious allegation of 'Islamophobia' gripping the Conservative party.
As resilient as the Prime Minister is, she welcomed and met the invited guests with open arms, and paid homage to the community's contribution to Britain's Big Society, an idea conceptualised by her predecessor David Cameron.
The queue outside 10 Downing Street meandered all the way to the Westminster subway, as people from the Pakistani, Somalian, Indian and the Bangladeshi community waited eagerly to enter the premises. Inside people gathered, networking, exchanging pleasantries over soft drinks, mango lassis and canapes at an Eid reception held at No 10's garden terrace for the first time.
11 year old Hasan Razawi accompanied Ali Abbas Hussnain from the Scottish Ahlul Bayt Society, while Rukhsana Yaqoob, President of Muslim Teachers' Association, dressed in a beautiful necklace and salwar kameez felt thrilled to be invited. She was accompanied by Shahina Ahmad, Principal, Waltham Forest Girls' School. Some key guests included Clare Moriarty CB, Permanent Secretary of the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, Mohammad Ejaz Aslam, Chairman of Gravesend & Dartford Muslim Association, and his Committee, Students Omar Sharif, Ismael Arshad and Hani Mustafa, Cllr Mohammed Ilyas, Cllr Shamshul Shelim, Major Naveed Muhammad & his team from the British Army, Zahra Shah, CEO, British Pakistan Foundation, Asad Aamir Ansari from Deloitte, Enam Ali, Founder, British Curry Awards, Abdullah Rehman MBE, from Tell MAMA, Nasir Awan, MD of Awan Marketing, Birmingham and Lady Sheikh, to name a few.
The event was compered by Rt Hon Sajid Javid, the new Home Secretary, who said how he enjoyed Eid at his younger brother's on Sunday and joked that Bas Javid, Chief Superintendent with West Midlands Police, ate all the samosas. He welcomed guests and called upon Mrs May who greeted guests with the traditional 'Asalam Alei-Koom' and wished everyone 'Eid Mubarak'.
Dressed in a grey suit and wearing a multi-coloured watch, Mrs May spoke to individuals and listened to what they had to say. In a short and crispy speech, addressing the audience the Prime Minister said, “It gives me great pleasure to welcome you here for this Eid reception, a chance for me to say a huge thank you for your tremendous contribution to our country.
“I know Eid is a festival dear to the hearts of Muslims – and it is a great honour to share in a little of your celebrations with you today.
“I want to begin by telling you about an iftar meal I attended last week. It was at the Al-Manaar Mosque in North Kensington – a beautiful, spacious mosque whose representatives we have here this evening.
“I was there to thank them for everything they did following the horrific fire at Grenfell Tower when they – along with other faith communities – demonstrated such extraordinary community spirit, helping those in immediate need, and organising donations for those who had lost everything.
“But what also made the evening special, what also made it memorable, was the iftar: a simple act of hospitality – of sharing a meal – and the warmth, generosity – and patience – of everyone there, and that despite the long hours of fasting, which I can only imagine feels even longer during a British summer!
“It is an act of hospitality that has been replicated many times over this year – as people of different backgrounds across the UK have shared in iftars this Ramadan, including in Bristol where an estimated 3,000 residents attended one such iftar.
“And it is an act which represents the strong communities in so many parts of the UK and of which we can all feel rightly proud. Today, as this Government works to build a stronger, fairer Britain, I want to ensure all our communities thrive in a country that works for everyone.
“A county where everyone can make the most of the opportunities on offer.
“And that whatever community you are from or religion you are, you are respected, feel valued, and free to practise your religion in peace.”
The reception coincided on the first death anniversary of Makram Ali, the father-of-six who died in the Finsbury Park terror attack. Paying tribute to him and speaking about the new £3.4million to protect places of worship Mrs May said, “That’s why we have committed to £3.4 million to protect places of worship from hate crime, including £1 million for vulnerable faith institutions following the Finsbury Park attack last year. Over 40 Muslim places of worship have had funding approved under these schemes so far.
“What happened in Finsbury Park was a sickening and horrific terrorist attack – an attack on ordinary people going about their daily lives, an attack on a community, and an attack on all of us.
“But what we also saw was the spirit of community that apprehended the attacker, and the spirit of our thriving, diverse, vibrant city as people rallied round those affected in support and solidarity.
“That spirit, and the shared values that underpin it – respect, compassion and justice – are what make this country such a great place to live."
She then went on to speak about the role of British Muslims in today's Britain, “And I want to pay tribute to the role that British Muslims are playing in that – from the millions of pounds you contribute to charities every year, the local and national activism that is helping to make this a better place to live, to the work carried out every day by Muslim doctors, nurses, entrepreneurs, civil servants, sporting professionals, media presenters and those in the armed forces,” she added.
“Of course, too often such contribution goes unacknowledged and unrecognised.
“And I know many of you here are doing incredibly important and positive work – in an array of different fields. So let me say thank you to all of you.
“You demonstrate how, up and down the country, so many Muslims are quietly and steadily, making a huge difference in the communities where you live, and to society as a whole.
“Now let us enjoy these celebrations together. And to all of you – and to Muslims across the UK – Eid Mubarak.”
The Eid reception coincided with the inaugural England match. Earlier in the day, Mrs May had sent this message to the Three Lions: "Best of luck to the England team - the whole country will be cheering you on back home."
The Armed Forces had 9 representatives present at the reception. Imam Asif Hafiz OBE, who is the Islamic Religious leader at the Ministry of Defence told Asian Voice, “The Eid celebration by the Prime Minister is important in many ways, a very positive gesture for the Muslims in part of Britain. Muslims in Britain is a trusted community, of all backgrounds, including people at the highest level of government. Today's event sends out positive vibes, it proves the Muslims are fully integrated in the society.”
Major Naveed Muhammad from the Royal Army told the newsweekly, “It is a really good way to get recognition for the community. It helps us to be a voice for the voiceless.”
Flt Lt Muhammad Sohail Azad, an engineer with the Royal Air Force told AV, “It is an honour to be present here today. It's my first time at the Eid in Downing Street. This celebration is recognition for the community and our contributions. We are humbled to be invited.”
The Prime Minister recognised Moawia Bin-Sufyan, from South Glamorgan, for promoting interfaith dialogue and community cohesion, with a Points of Light award at the Downing Street reception on Monday.
