Eid-ul-Fitr Messages From the Political
Leaders of the United Kingdom – 2020
Dr. Mozammel Haque
After a month-long fasting in the blessed month of Ramadan, Muslim all over the
world celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr festival. The Eid festival is the festival of breaking
fast. Eid day begins with the congregational prayers in the Mosque, followed by
meeting with fellow Muslims in the community.
This year both the Ramadan and the Eid-ul-Fitr are
completely different. This Ramadan will be remembered forever as the Covid-19
Ramadan, unique in every aspect, where we had no access to the Masjid anywhere
in the world, including the Haramain.
Similarly, this year Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated
virtually. Celebration of Eid ul Fitr will be different which I have never witnessed in my 70-plus year life. Eid prayer
has to perform at home instead of mosque due to the closure of mosques under
Covid-19 pandemic for safety and security reasons. Families and friends should not meet, embrace each other in order to maintain social distancing and self-isolation.
Eid messages from political
leaders – 2020
22nd May 2020
Eid messages from the Prime
Minister, Leader of the Labour Party, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, First
Ministers of Scotland and Wales as well as the Mayor of London.
Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP,
The Prime Minister of U.K
Eid Mubarak
Followings are the 2020 Eid-ul-Fitr messages from the Prime Minister of the
United Kingdom, Rt. Hon. Boris Johnson, MP:
Saying heartfelt Eid Mubarak to Muslim friends and
neighbours, the UK Prime Minister said, “As Ramadan comes to a close; I want to
say two things to all our Muslim friends and neighbours, here in the UK and
around the world. A heartfelt “Eid Mubarak”, of course.” But also a very big
“thank you.”
Acknowledging the British Muslims’ sacrifices British Prime
Minister mentioned, ““Because over these difficult past few weeks Britain’s
Muslims have gone above and beyond in doing their bit to keep this country
going. For many that have been achieved by staying at home, saving lives by
sacrificing time with your loved ones even when I know you ached to be at the
mosque or breaking your fast with friends and family. Across the country, we’ve
also seen countless Muslims stepping up to help take care of their local
communities, or hard at work in vital sectors from schools to transport to
retail. Rarely has the Islamic commandment to provide charity to those in need
been better displayed.”
Mentioning about many heroes of Muslim faith serving on the
frontline, Boris Johnson said, “And of course, there are the many heroes of
Muslim faith serving on the frontline as part of our fantastic National Health
Service. Brave men and women who, in the best traditions of Islam, are
selflessly giving of themselves to help those in need – with some, including
the remarkable young hospital housekeeper, turned newly qualified nurse Areema
Nasreen, tragically losing their lives as a result. It has been a holy month
quite unlike any this country – or the worldwide Ummah – has ever known.”
“But if we keep going, if we stay alert even as
restrictions begin to ease, we will control this virus and we will save lives,”
he said..
Talking about the incredible contribution that Muslims make
in this country, Prime Minister Boris Johnson mentioned, “And as that happens I
am sure we will all see, once again, the incredible contribution that Muslims
make to life in this country – something that, even in these challenging times,
is always something we should celebrate.”
Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP,
Leader, Labour Party
Eid Mubarak
Followings are the 2020
Eid-ul-Fitr messages from the Leader of the Labour Party, Rt. Hon. Sir Keir
Starmer, MP:
“To everyone celebrating Eid-al Fitr here in the UK – Eid
Mubarak on behalf of the Labour Party.”
Talking about this Ramadan and the Muslim families, Labour
Leader Sir Starmer said, “I know this Ramadan has been especially tough for
Muslim communities. Families have not been able to see each other; people
unable to break fast together or even go to the mosque for prayers. Yet, I have
witnessed incredible resilience. Muslim communities and charities coming
together to deliver iftar meals to our frontline NHS staff and doctors.
“People providing to foodbanks to help the vulnerable and
significant donations to many charitable causes. I had the pleasure of joining
a ‘Virtual Iftar’ with Labour MPs and the Muslim community, and it was
heartening to hear how we’ve all stood together at a time of crisis,” mentioned
Sir Keir Starmer.
.
Mentioning about how the Covid-19 has disproportionately
affected BAME communities, Leader of the Labour Party said, “And, I know Eid is
one of those joyous occasions where communities all come together to celebrate.
Still, as ever, our number one priority remains to keep all of our loved ones
and communities safe. As the stark figures show, Covid-19 has
disproportionately affected BAME communities, and we will work together to
address these issues of health inequality and social injustices.”
Sir Keir Starmer also mentioned: “To these ends, I have
entrusted Baroness Doreen Lawrence to lead a review into the impact of
Coronavirus on Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities.”
“I want to personally thank everyone that is continuing to
help keep us safe, and there is no doubt we will come out stronger together
when this crisis ends,” he said.
“I wish you all a pleasant and enjoyable Eid.
Eid Mubarak.” Finally Sir
Keir Starmer concluded his Eid message wishing pleasant and enjoyable Eid to
the Muslim communities,
Rt Hon Nicola Sturgeon, MSP,
First Minister of Scotland
Eid Mubarak
Followings are the 2020 Eid-ul-Fitr message
from the First Minister of Scotland, Rt. Hon. Nicola Sturgeon, MSP:
Sending her warmest wishes to all Muslim communities in
Scotland and around the world, the First Minister of Scotland said, “I am
sending my warmest wishes to all Muslim communities in Scotland, and around the
world, this Eid al-Fitr.”
“I know that this year’s Ramadan has been incredibly
difficult for Muslim communities and Eid al-Fitr, traditionally a celebration
which brings people together, will be no exception,” Rt. Hon. Nicola Sturgeon
said.
Thanking Scotland’s Muslim communities to protect NHS and
save lives, the First Minister of Scorland said, “I want to thank Scotland’s
Muslim communities for following the guidance to protect our NHS and save
lives. I am sure that you will continue to do so, and thereby help keep your
families, communities and Scotland safe during your celebrations.”
Nicola Sturgeon again mentioned Muslim contribution and
said, “Thank you for the huge contribution you all make to our society, which
is particularly valued during these challenging times.”
“I wish you a happy, peaceful and safe Eid. Eid Mubarak,” concluded her Eid message.
Rt Hon Sir Ed Davey MP,
Acting Leader, Liberal
Democrats
Eid Mubarak
Followings are the 2020 Eid-ul-Fitr message from the Acting
Leader of the Liberal Democrats Rt. Hon. Sir Ed Davey MP with warm wishes to
the Muslim communities at home and abroad.
Sir Davey said, “I would like to send warm wishes to
Muslims at home in the UK and around the world celebrating Eid al-Fitr. I’m sure that this Ramadan must have felt
unusual and I know that observing a socially distanced Eid will not be easy
either.”
Sir Ed Davey also mentioned, “This year, I joined MPs and
party members in fasting for one day of Ramadan and this culminated in a
Liberal Democrats Iftar – the first for our party. The fast was challenging at
times, but I’m so proud that we were able to do this one small act as a symbol
of our solidarity with British Muslims at this time.”
Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats also said we will
remember the sacrifices of those many of them were Muslims. He mentioned, “I
want to thank the doctors and nurses who have sacrificed their lives in the
battle against Covid-19. We will always remember them, and we must never forget
that many of them were British Muslims.”
“A thorough investigation into why BAME communities have
been disproportionately impacted by this virus is needed now more than ever,”
Sir Davey mentioned.
Talking about Eid festival, Sir Ed Davey said, “Of course,
Eid is known as “the Festival of the Breaking of the Fast”, and it’s usually a
time to come together with loved ones to enjoy festive meals and share gifts but
instead, during these challenging times, people will remain isolated in their
homes, going out only for essential food and brief periods of exercise.”
He also said, “Though this will be tough, I’m sure that the
sacrifices we all make now will reduce the impact of this virus.”
So to everyone celebrating Eid, I wish you joy and peace. Sir Ed Davey concluded his Eid message saying, Eid Mubarak!
Rt Hon Mark Drakeford AM,
First Minister of Wales
Eid Mubarak
Followings are the 2020 Eid-ul-Fitr messages from the First
Minister of Wales, Rt. Hon. Mark Drakeford AM.:
He said, “I would like to send my very best wishes to
Muslims throughout Wales and across the world who are marking the end of the
holy month of Ramadan. The resilience and creativity of our Muslim communities
in Wales have filled me with hope.”
The First Minister of Wales Drakeford mentioned, “The key
Islamic values of charity and compassion during Ramadan have never faltered
through this difficult time we are all facing. Many of you have focussed on
helping those who may be less fortunate, and have united neighbours,
communities and families using new technologies.”
Speaking about the enormous contribution of the Muslim
communities of Wales, the First Minister of Wales Drakeford said, “I know that
this year Ramadan has been a very different from other years but, this Eid, I
will reflect, and I hope you will, on the enormous contribution the Muslim
communities of Wales make to Welsh society each and every day.”
“To all who are celebrating, ‘Eid Mubarak’, The First
Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford concluded his Eid Message.
Rt Hon Sadiq Khan,
Mayor of London
Eid Mubarak
Followings are the 2020 Eid ul Fitr messages from the Mayor
of London, Rt. Hon. Sadiq Khan.
He said, “I’d like to send my warmest wishes to Muslims in
London and around the world as we celebrate Eid.”
Talking about this year Ramadan, the Mayor of London
mentioned, “This Ramadan has been unlike any other – with mosques left empty
and all of us unable to break our fasts with family or friends beyond our
households as many usually would.”
The Mayor of London gave an idea of how Eid will be
celebrated this year. Mr. Sadiq Khan said, “But as these long summer fasts draw
to a close, rather than celebrating Eid in Trafalgar Square, uniting in mosques
across our city or embracing our family and friends as we normally would, we
must all continue to play our part by keeping our social distance.”
Sadiq Khan paid tribute to those observing Ramadan while
working on the frontline, “I’m proud of everyone for the sacrifices they have
made and continue to make during this time. I want to particularly pay tribute
to those who have been observing Ramadan while working on the front line. Their
fasts have been incredibly tough as they have worked around the clock in
incredibly demanding circumstances to help us all.”
The Mayor of London said this dedication required
commitment and creativity. He mentioned, “It has required commitment and
creativity from the whole community to be together but physically apart, and
like many Muslims, I have enjoyed taking part in virtual iftars and connecting
with others through online gatherings and prayer. I am sure that this spirit of
togetherness will last beyond Ramadan.
Sadiq Khan also said, “Although this has been a challenging
time for all of us, I’ve been inspired by communities coming together to
support not just their family and loved ones but to offer kindness to those who
need it the most. We have seen the very best of our city with extraordinary
acts of charity and empathy proving that our sense of community will never be
confined by walls.”
The Mayor of London also expressed his inability not to
join with everyone to celebrate Eid in Trafalgar Square. He said, “It is
disappointing that we cannot join together with communities from every faith,
background and walk of life to celebrate Eid in Trafalgar Square this year, but
it was the right decision to cancel to protect the National Health Service and
help save lives.
“I look forward to the time that we can gather together
again,” The Mayor of London his Eid message saying, “From my family to yours, Eid Mubarak.”
Courtesy: The Muslim News
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