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Muslim leaders and British dignitaries came together on iftar banquet in Mansion house for the first time ever. (IOL) |
LONDON "” British dignitaries and Muslim leaders came together on Friday, September 29, in Mansion House, the official residence of the Lord Mayor of London, for an iftar banquet, in the first ever move of its kind.
"This is an unprecedented and historic event," Inayat Bunglawala, spokesman for the umbrella Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), told IslamOnline. net.
"No iftar banquet has ever been held in Mansion House before."
Organized by Lord Mayor of London David Brewer, the banquet brought together a galaxy of Muslim leaders as well as diplomats, parliamentarians, and judicial and business leaders.
Bunglawala said the event was evidence on the growing Muslim influence in Britain's financial centre.
Hosting Muslims as guests of honor on an iftar banquet at Mansion House illustrates their growing influence in the economic and trade fields in London, he told IOL.
Throughout its history, the City of London has been dominated by Christian traditions and communities as well as the Jewish influential role in the banking world.
British Muslims, estimated 1.8 million Muslims, most of them are of Pakistani and Indian origin, started fasting on Saturday, September 23.
During Ramadan, adult Muslims, save the sick and those traveling, abstain during daylight hours from food, drink, smoking and sex.
Islamic Banking
The event was also seen as a proof to Britain's aspiration to become a Western centre of Islamic banking.
Bunglawala said It signals recognition of the economic strength of British Muslims.
Britain has pledged to become a gateway for Islamic finance and trade, giving impetus to efforts exerted by the country's sizable Muslim minority to that end.
Mansion House is now eyeing Muslim capitals as well as the Arab and Muslim investments, added the Muslim activist.
Mansion House is one of the grandest surviving Georgian town palaces in London.
It was built between 1739 and 1752 and is considered the official residence of the Lord Mayor of the City of London.
It has a distinguished place in London's economic and financial history.
Critical
Bunglawala said the iftar banquet was held at a critical moment in the history of the Muslim minority in Britain.
This year's Ramadan came at a very tense climate in Britain after accusations leveled against British Muslims of plotting to hijack and blow up US-bound planes in mid-air, he said.
The iftar banquet was also meant to underline London's cultural and religious diversity.
"The City of London is at the centre of a global world of financial services. One of its strengths is that the hundreds of thousands of skilled workers who work here and in Canary Wharf come from a wide variety of backgrounds, countries and cultures," Brewer told reporters.
"Indeed, London is now a world centre in the growing field of Islamic finance."