On Wednesday, April 2, Prime Minister Keir Starmer hosted a reception in Downing Street to mark Eid, welcoming leaders from across the Muslim community.
Having hosted an Iftar event in Downing Street during Ramadan and attending a Big Iftar in Westminster Hall just a few weeks ago, the Prime Minister said that wishing people Eid Mubarak in Downing Street was a special moment – and he championed the contribution the Muslim community makes across society and the economy, “We do need to say a big thank you to our Muslim communities for your incredible contribution, in every sphere, and it is every sphere…all the different walks of life, different sectors.
“That contribution is there, whether that’s the NHS, whether it’s business, education, and civil society in particular – who support every day in our communities - and of course to charities – who are incredibly generous in giving to others.”
He also congratulated the community for its work to spread the spirit of Ramadan and welcomed people from all faiths and backgrounds to similar events up and down the country stating, “And it’s been a real privilege to have that sense of contribution over Ramadan, and with the fantastic, welcoming Iftars we’ve seen, open to Muslims – and this is really important – and non-Muslims alike.
“People like me feel really welcome, and I think that’s an incredible thing about, not just what you do, but the way that you do it.
“And we’ve seen this from Windsor to Belfast, from Cardiff to Glasgow, and of course in mosques up and down the country, which have provided so much support, so many free meals, a welcoming hand, and spread the spirit of Ramadan, by bringing people together.”
At the same time, he acknowledged that as British Muslims have observed Ramadan here, it has been incredibly difficult watching others observing Ramadan in pain and suffering around the rest of the world - particularly in Gaza. He said, "We need that ceasefire deal – upheld in full. And in January, we provided an extra £17 million in humanitarian aid to surge support, which desperately needs to get into Gaza – at volume and at pace."
He added that alongside international events, it is appalling that 2024 was the worst year on record for anti-Muslim hate crime, and added, “I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: there is no place for Anti-Muslim hatred in Britain – no place. And I know there are people working hard to push back against this hatred and division and working hard to combat it too.
“We’ve announced £29.4 million through the Protective Security for Mosques scheme, and a scheme for Muslim faith schools. And that is good – but it’s also really bad. It’s really bad that we are having to put money towards the protective security for mosques.
“I am glad we are doing – it is the right thing to do, and we are working on it – but I do think it’s a reminder that we need to look forward to the day where we are putting our money into other things with you, rather than protective security around mosques or around faith schools.”
He concluded by championing the response to the unrest we saw in Southport, where communities came together to help their local Mosque. He said that was the best of our society, which we see time and time again.
He said that as Prime Minister, he is determined that not only is the contribution made by Muslims given true recognition, but that we celebrate it at every opportunity.
Labour leaders such as Shabana Mahmood, London Mayor Sadiq Khan and Hajira Piranie attended the reception. Piranie later shared a message on Instagram, expressing gratitude to the Prime Minister for acknowledging the contributions of the Muslim community. She wrote, “As a young Muslim Indian girl who grew up watching her parents work tirelessly to build a life in this country, I never imagined being invited as a guest to the Prime Minister’s home to celebrate Eid.
“It’s a special moment that means so much to my family, and for so many others who made this country home. It’s a reminder that our voices, our traditions, & our celebrations belong here too. Keir Starmer said tonight that this is not just his home- this is our home.”
