Eid al-Fitr celebrated amid political furore over claims public Ramadan prayers an ‘act of domination’
On Friday morning, little space remained in Baitul Futuh mosque as thousands of people poured in to mark the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.
The south London mosque, one of the largest in Europe, offered a glimpse of the Eid al-Fitr festivities being celebrated by millions of Muslims across the UK. This year, however, a political furore around one of the most important holidays in the Islamic calendar has divided UK party leaders, drawn warnings of bigotry and left members of the community feeling disturbed and disappointed.
Earlier this week, Nick Timothy, the shadow justice minister, claimed Islamic prayers taking place in public are intimidating, un-British and an “act of domination”, after a Ramadan event in London’s Trafalgar Square. Reform’s leader Nigel Farage called the event, which has taken place five times without previous incident or controversy, an attempt to “intimidate and dominate our way of life”.
Taufique Ahmad, 22, standing outside the mosque as people entered for Eid prayers, said the “harsh and potentially harmful language” used against the community is “quite disturbing”.
