PM, Theresa May hosts an Eid reception (Photo: Downing Street)
Ahmed J Versi
Prime Minster, Theresa May, thanked Muslims at Al-Manaar Mosque situated short distance from Grenfell Tower, for opening up the mosque to the survivors of the fire.
“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,” May said at Eid reception held in Downing Street on June 18.
The Prime Minster praised the hospitality of the Muslims at the mosque when she visited them for iftar the week before.
“What 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!”
She added that such act of hospitality “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.”
May then paid tribute to the role that British Muslims are playing in society which are too often goes unacknowledged and unrecognised “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.”
The Prime Minister every community in Britain “are respected, feel valued, and free to practise your religion in peace.”
May condemned the terrorist attack against Muslims in Finsbury Park last Ramadan.
“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.”