London Mayor Sadiq Khan shares Ramadan plans, wishes Daily Star readers
London Mayor, Sadiq Khan, in a conversation with The Daily Star's UK correspondent today, shared his and the Greater London Authority's (GLA) plans to observe the holy month of Ramadan.
Replying to a question, he started by saying, "I wish all The Daily Star readers a very happy Ramadan, Ramadan Mubarak... We're able to mingle with friends and family to have iftars and feasts with friends and family, will go to the mosque for congregational prayers and taraweeh."
Terming the month very important for Muslims, he said Muslims the month provides us opportunity to involve in charity, compassion and generosity.
"Last few years were tough. So many have thought of having a good Ramadan, but it will be challenging because the time lag between dawn and sunset is very long. Many will struggle but the great thing about London is that our religion is not just tolerated, it is respected, celebrated and embraced by non-Muslims and so the GLA will be doing a number of iconic iftars."
He said that the first iftar begins on Monday (April 4) at the Tower of London with the Naz Legacy Foundation. There will be leaders from other religions, the Jewish chief Rabbi, the Catholic Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Imam Mahmoud from East London Mosque and many others, young people across London, and the GLA will be doing more iftars during the month of Ramadan.
The month will end with a fantastic celebration in Trafalgar Square, the most famous square in the world.
"...Here in London, you know, we're free to practice our religion. And many, many non-Muslims understand about Ramadan and fasting, which is fantastic," he added.
To an open invitation to the historical Brick Lane Mosque situated in Banglatown, he said, "I know the mosque very well. It's a mosque that's got a really rich history. You'll remember when the first migrants arrived from Bangladesh, a mass numbers, it was their generosity and foresightedness of our elders who although they had low paid jobs, they put money aside to hire premises and then buy premises... we know these fantastic mosques like Brick Lane Mosque, which is expanded hugely, but more than happy to attend for iftar and prayer."
And finally, he finished with a message for Tower Hamlets Muslims, saying this year for many in Tower Hamlets was a very important anniversary with the creation of the state of Bangladesh.
"I'm sure that across London, across our country and across the globe, many Muslims will be performing good deeds in this holy month of Ramadan," he finished, wishing the The Daily Star readers a very Happy Ramadan.
Comments