We join Nick Clegg in wishing those of you who are celebrating today a very happy Eid-al-Fitr.
Here is his video message, with transcript underneath:
As Ramadan ends, I want to wish Muslims across the UK and around the world a joyful Eid al Fitr.
I know that, on both a spiritual and physical level, Ramadan will have meant an intense period of worship and devotion as you strive to draw nearer to God. As Allah says in the Quran – “Oh you who believe, Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may learn God’s consciousness”.
This includes focussing and reflecting on Islamic values such as loving your neighbour and taking care of the poor. And Muslims up and down the country contribute a huge amount to their local communities as imaams, local councillors, school governors, charity trustees and in countless other roles: doing good wherever and in whatever ways you can.
For many of you, that involves choosing to share this blessed month with people of other faiths and none, throwing open your doors to family, friends, colleagues and neighbours and welcoming them at iftar.
This generosity of spirit helps to make Britain a more open society, and on this Eid al Fitr, I want to thank you for the very real difference you’re making.
I hope you enjoy your Eid celebrations.
Eid Mubarak.



2 Comments
It is good to see Nick Clear trying to be a bit more inclusive. It’s great, I like it. Whilst allowing for the fact Mr. Clean is not a Muslim his grammar choices could have been a little better.
I think the following text would have been an improvement:
As Ramadan ends, I want to wish Muslims across the UK and around the world a joyful Eid al Fitr.
I know that, on both a spiritual and physical level, Ramadan will have meant an intense period of worship and devotion as one strives to draw nearer to God. As Allah says in the Quran – “Oh you who believe, Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may learn God’s consciousness”.
This includes focussing and reflecting on Islamic values such as loving one’s neighbour and taking care of the poor. And Muslims up and down the country contribute a huge amount to their local communities as imaams, local councillors, school governors, charity trustees and in countless other roles: doing good wherever and in whatever ways one can.
For many, that involves choosing to share this blessed month with people of other faiths and none, throwing open one’s doors to family, friends, colleagues and neighbours and welcoming them at iftar.
This generosity of spirit helps to make Britain a more open society, and on this Eid al Fitr, I want to thank you for the very real difference you’re making.
I hope you enjoy Eid celebrations.
Eid Mubarak.
——
The celebrations are also Mr. Clegg’s celebrations… Unless he got no invites at *all* this year which would be a bit sad…
Sounds very good, very well thought out, but wouldn’t it have more weight and impact if it came from the PM rather than the DPM, and perhaps even more if it came from the Queen? Why is it a politician’s role to do this, rather than say a religious person’s?