Queen Elizabeth II – (Credit: Julian Calder/Governor-General of New Zealand). King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla on September 9. (Credit: Stringer/Anadolu Agency)
Nadine Osman
Queen Elizabeth II, the UK’s longest-serving monarch, died aged 96 following a 70-year reign. She died peacefully on September 8 at her Scottish estate, Balmoral, where she had spent much of the summer.
The Queen came to the throne in 1952 and witnessed enormous social change. Her heir, King Charles III, said the death of his mother was a “moment of great sadness” for him and his family and that her loss would be “deeply felt” around the world.
“We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished sovereign and a much-loved mother. I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world,” he said.
Mosques, Islamic institutions and Muslim leaders from across the UK paid tribute to the Queen. On September 9, the day after the Queen’s passing, worshippers gathered in mosques nationwide for Friday prayers, where special khutbah [sermons] were delivered.
Imam Wajid Hussain of Bradford Central Mosque broke from his traditional sermon to pay tribute. “British Muslims stand in unity with the British people at this time of deep sorrow. Millions will greatly miss her. She left an unparalleled legacy of cooperation in the Commonwealth for democracy, common prosperity, and peace. She deservedly will have a special place in the hearts of her subjects and the annals of history,” he said.
A spokesman for Shahjalal Mosque Manchester said, “We express our deepest condolences to the family members and the citizens of Great Britain. We pray to God to ask for guidance, support, and love towards God, which fills the heart of His Highness King Charles!”
The coffin of HM Queen Elizabeth II being carried by gun carriage along the Pall Mall during her funeral on September 19. (Credit: Chiral Jon/Flickr Commons)
Dr Ahmad Al Dubayan, Director General of London Central Mosque & Islamic Cultural Centre (ICC), said, “Her Majesty did not only engage with the Muslim communities, but she was also the first monarch to visit a mosque and recognise the multifaith and multicultural diversity of this great nation.”
In London, Shaykh Abdul Qayum, Head Imam at East London Mosque (ELM) and London Muslim Centre, delivered a speech on death and life.
“Allah tells us in the Qur’an that when we hear of the tragedy of death, we should say ‘Inna lillaahi wa innaa ilaihi raajiun’, meaning ‘Indeed, we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we return’. This is not a supplication, this is a reminder to us about the significance of death, and especially that we will all face this.”
ELM also tweeted, “We pass on our sincere condolences to the Royal Family on the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. The Queen has served as monarch for 70 years, longer than any other in British history, gaining love and respect across the globe. The Queen spoke of the value of all faiths, and the healing power of faith to unite communities. She will be most remembered for her sense of duty and her devotion to a life of service.”
The Lancashire Council of Mosques, an umbrella body for mosques and religious education institutions in the county, extended “thoughts and sincere condolences to the Royal family and the nation during this period of national grief. The Queen was admired in our times for her outstanding leadership qualities and kind, selfless dedication to public service. We hope all the best for King Charles III.”
In Gloucester, Imam Hassan of the Masjid-e-Noor Mosque said, “We as a community of people of all faiths are coming together to remember and celebrate all her achievements and her dedication to public service. We know His Majesty King Charles III has a lot of love for our community and our county of Gloucestershire. We wish him all the best in his new reign as our king.”
Masjid Mu’adh Ibn Jabal in Leicester opened a book of condolences and illuminated its interior purple in tribute to the Queen. Nadeem Mir, Chair of Calderdale Council of Mosques, said, “On behalf of all the mosques and the wider community in Calderdale, we convey our deepest condolences and sympathy to the Royal family.
Our prayers and thoughts are with the family.” He added, “We as a community will always remember our late monarch with an enormous fondness for her ability to inspire social cohesion and interfaith understanding. Today we, as a nation, stand united in grief as we mourn the loss of our beloved HM Queen Elizabeth II.”
Zara Mohammed, Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), expressed “sorrow” at the passing of the Queen and offered her condolences to the King and the Royal Family.
She said, “Her Majesty’s reign saw extraordinary change in our country. Over seven decades, the UK has seen itself transformed into a multicultural and multi-faith society. Her Majesty was the first monarch to engage with the newly established Muslim communities here in the UK. Though the first British mosque was seen in the Victorian era, the Queen was the first monarch to visit a UK mosque during her Jubilee celebrations in 2002.
The audiences at events and ceremonies hosted by the Royal family reflect the diversity of Britain. All of us, of all faiths and none, will remember Her Majesty’s legacy of public service and celebrate her achievements.”
Dr Muhammad Abdul Bari MBE, DL, FRSA, educationalist, author and former MCB Secretary General, recounted his “fondest recollections” of his time with the Queen at Buckingham Palace. “My wife Sayeda and I were invited to an event in 2007, as people were leaving; we found ourselves in proximity to Her Majesty the Queen, Prince Charles and Princess Anne.
I knew Princess Anne well through my duties with LOCOG and had also met Prince Charles a number of times. We drew closer and greeted them properly. Our short hello became a few minutes of relaxed conversation on various issues, such as community relations, pressures on the Muslim community and the challenges of modern life. We parted from them feeling uplifted.”
Suleman Nagdi, spokesperson for the Federation of Muslim Organisations, expressed deep condolences on behalf of the Leicestershire Muslim community.
“She has been a living example both in her living years and in the memories that we now carry of our monarch who has earned the love and respect of peoples of all nations’ right across the globe… Her Majesty has seen tremendous changes in our world, together with exceptional challenges.”
Imam Qari Asim, Chair, Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board, described the Queen as “the most remarkable lady of our times,” who had “epitomised some of the noble, but increasingly rare, qualities in public life-2007. ”
Bushra Nasir CBE DL, CEO of Drapers’ Multi-Academy Trust and one of the first female Muslim secondary school head teachers in the UK paid her condolences to the Royal family for losing “a parent, grandmother, great-grandmother, a relative as well as the Queen.”
Nasir said she was left with an “everlasting, beautiful memory” of seeing the Queen at a royal garden party, as well as having the honour of having the Queen open Drapers’ Multi-Academy Trust’s first school ten years ago. She added, “The Queen was a member of the Drapers’ Livery Company, and this made the Queen very special to our students and staff. The Queen met some of our primary pupils and the headteacher, and this memory is etched into their memories forever.”
Nasir said she used her CBE and the role of Deputy Lord Lieutenant (DL) of Greater London, both bestowed on her by the Queen, “to serve the public and contribute to the Queen’s vision of service to the public good.”
Esecta Managing Director Narjice Basaran said, “I grew up with a view of Windsor Castle from my bedroom and walking past the castle on the way to school, I’d check to see if the flag was up and think the Queen is home probably drinking a cup of tea behind those big walls.
She has been constant throughout the changes in the UK, from politics to how my own family have integrated and come to recognise themselves as British…As a woman, I have to respect her sacrifice and commitment to her family, her position, and her faith, which was probably a life-long struggle. .”
A spokesman for the Islamic Foundation said, “We express our deep condolences to King Charles III and the entire Royal Family at this difficult time. During Her Majesty’s extraordinary reign of over 70 years, she remained selflessly dedicated to serving her nation and worked for the common good and unity within the country and internationally. We will continue to draw inspiration from her legacy.”
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