UK MP fasts with Muslims to show support amid COVID-19 crisis

UK MP fasts with Muslims to show support amid COVID-19 crisis

LONDON: A member of the UK Parliament, Sir Edward Jonathan Davey, on Saturday fasted and took part in an online Iftar, or breaking of the fast, with Muslims to show support for the country's community of three million observing the month of Ramadan under a strict lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Ed Davey, a Liberal Democrat leader and MP of Parliament for Kingston and Surbiton, took part by abstaining from food and drinks from sunrise until sunset and then shared his experience online.

The goal was to show solidarity with the UK's Muslim community, who have been forced to come to terms with a Ramadan behind closed doors, unable to congregate in the homes of friends and acquaintances for Iftar or to visit the mosque.

Muslims around the world are experiencing an unprecedented Ramadan, a holy month of prayers, fasting, and social congregation, under the shadow of the novel coronavirus.

Hina Bokhari, a British-Pakistani councilor for the Liberal Democrat party, organised the party's first ever day of fasting.

"This was the first time that a major UK political party held a party-led Iftar and encouraged members to volunteer to fast like this — a hugely-significant milestone,” said Bokhari.

Bokhari’s father, Naz, came to the United Kingdom from Pakistan's Sialkot city back in 1960, becoming the first diaspora headteacher in Britain. He inspired his daughter to become involved in politics when she saw the effects that budget cuts had on the education sector. Continue reading