Boris Johnson: 'fast during Ramadan to understand Muslims'

[Uthman]

Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, has encouraged people to undergo a day of fasting to help them gain a better understanding of their ''Muslim neighbour''.

Speaking during a visit to the East London Mosque and London Muslim Centre he said Muslims in the capital were ''challenging traditional stereotypes'' to show they wanted to be part of the mainstream.

Mr Johnson's visit coincided with the holy period of Ramadan in which participating Muslims fast from dawn until sunset.

''Whether it's in theatre, comedy, sports, music or politics, Muslims are challenging the traditional stereotypes and showing that they are, and want to be, a part of the mainstream community," he said.

''That's why I urge people, particularly during Ramadan, to find out more about Islam, increase your understanding and learning, even fast for a day with your Muslim neighbour and break your fast at the local mosque. I would be very surprised if you didn't find that you share more in common than you thought.

''Muslims are at the heart of every aspect of society. Their contribution is something that all Londoners benefit from. Muslim police officers, doctors, scientists and teachers are an essential part of the fabric of London.

''Islamic finance is contributing to the economy by changing the way Londoners invest, save, borrow and spend. There are valuable lessons that people of all backgrounds can learn from Islam such as the importance of community spirit, family ties, compassion and helping those less fortunate, all of which lie at the heart of the teachings of Ramadan.''

Source

 

[glo]

Thanks for sharing, Uthman.
That's a very positive message from the Mayor of London. Is he going to try fasting himself, I wonder?

 

[Bub]

masha'Allah

 

[Uthman]

Thanks for sharing, Uthman.
That's a very positive message from the Mayor of London. Is he going to try fasting himself, I wonder?

Possibly! Apparently his great grandfather was a Muslim who had memorised the Qur'an by heart.

 

[aadil77]

I like Boris johnson - he's funny guy, just look at his face and listen to his lisp and it'll make u crack up

He's keeping good links with the london muslim community just like ken livingston, wise man

 

[IslamicRevival]

Wow, Brilliant message from Boris Johnston. Totally unexpected.

Its been a while since i heard an influential figure speaking good about Islam and Muslims in general

 

[13th Yarba]

Boris Johnsons great grandfather was Ali Kemal Bey the interior minister in the government of Damat Ferid Pasha, Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire, who was murdered during the Turkish War of Independence, and through Prince Paul, Johnson is a descendant of King George II of Great Britain, and through George's great-great-great grandfather King James I of England, a descendant of all the previous British royal houses. (courtesy of wikepedia)

i find it interesting that the mayor of london has such distinguished forebearers from christian and muslim backgrounds - it is a good example of how we all share common ancestors.

when i was young at school we would have a sponsored fast once ayear in support of african famine relief but i would not support encouraging children to fast who were not muslim - they might not enjoy it and might take a way a negative impression. i think that the idea in principal is a good one though, maybe there are other more enjoyable aspects of our religions that children could share to bring greater understanding.

 

[Tony]

Boris Johnson is a great man, I have long held respect for him and it only ever grows, he is a good old Brittish eccentric and has the best sense of humour of any British MP. I have to admit the first time I saw him I thought he was a Matt Lucas Comedy character !! Anyway this is the latest thing that Boris has done that proves his worthyness to be Mayor of London, even when he made an ill advised comment that upset the people of Liverpool, he immeidiatley went back and apologised in the streets. A truly good man, may Allah bring him into the light of Islam, Ameen

 

[Rabi'ya]

Is this the same man who we were campaigning against before he came into office :?
I'm sure there were petitions and emails being sent around to stop him getting his position. Amazing how media portays thigs isn't it?

 

[Cabdullahi]

ken livingston was a good man....will boris follow the same footsteps

 

[- Qatada -]

:salamext:


Remember alot of people like this try to get the sympathy of the muslims, and usually have some form of motive.

Remember that guy who got the votes from the Muslims in Blackburn and then started to criticize the niqab?

 

[Rasema]

Is this the same man who we were campaigning against before he came into office :?
I'm sure there were petitions and emails being sent around to stop him getting his position. Amazing how media portays thigs isn't it?

:wa:
I agree. When will we learn to not trust the kufars. 'A good man,'wow, you don't even know him.

All of them, talk about peace while causing corruption on Earth,their hypocrites. They're very affectionate when it comes to speaking but the actions don't follow, and I bet they ridicule and mock our fasting ...

Of course, I'm not speaking about every single one Non-Muslim out there...................................................................................................................................

 

[Rasema]

Boris Johnson is a great man, I have long held respect for him and it only ever grows, he is a good old Brittish eccentric and has the best sense of humour of any British MP. I have to admit the first time I saw him I thought he was a Matt Lucas Comedy character !! Anyway this is the latest thing that Boris has done that proves his worthyness to be Mayor of London, even when he made an ill advised comment that upset the people of Liverpool, he immeidiatley went back and apologised in the streets. A truly good man, may Allah bring him into the light of Islam, Ameen

My deeply respected brother.

Please read the following articles:

Principles and Guidlines for Muslims' Relations with Non-Muslims
http://www.islam-qa.com/en/ref/26721/kind non muslims


Being Friends with Non-Muslims
http://www.islam-qa.com/en/ref/11793/kind non muslims

:wa:

--------------------

 

[Tony]

The Muslims should differentiate between different kinds of kaafirs in their dealings with them. They should make peace with those who make peace, and wage war against those who wage war, and wage jihad against those who stand in the way of spreading the message of Islam and causing it to prevail of earth.

Jazak Allah Khair sister Rasema, I particularly liked this paragraph, pg 5 of first link

 

[Rasema]

The Muslims should differentiate between different kinds of kaafirs in their dealings with them. They should make peace with those who make peace, and wage war against those who wage war, and wage jihad against those who stand in the way of spreading the message of Islam and causing it to prevail of earth.

Jazak Allah Khair sister Rasema, I particularly liked this paragraph, pg 5 of first link

Lol, and I particularly love this one

"With regard to non-Muslims, the Muslim should disavow himself of them, and he should not feel any love in his heart towards them. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“O you who believe! Take not My enemies and your enemies (i.e. disbelievers and polytheists) as friends, showing affection towards them, while they have disbelieved in what has come to you of the truth (i.e. Islamic Monotheism, this Qur’aan, and Muhammad), and have driven out the Messenger (Muhammad) and yourselves (from your homeland) because you believe in Allaah your Lord! If you have come forth to strive in My Cause and to seek My Good Pleasure, (then take not these disbelievers and polytheists, as your friends). You show friendship to them in secret, while I am All‑Aware of what you conceal and what you reveal. And whosoever of you (Muslims) does that, then indeed he has gone (far) astray from the Straight Path”

[al-Mumtahanah 60:1]
But this does not mean that a Muslim cannot interact with them in a nice manner that will encourage them to enter Islam, so long as that is within the guidelines of sharee’ah, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Allaah does not forbid you to deal justly and kindly with those who fought not against you on account of religion nor drove you out of your homes. Verily, Allaah loves those who deal with equity”

[al-Mumtahanah 60:8]"

Best wishes.

 

[Amadeus85]

In following weeks, Boris Johnson will advise Londoners to:
- make circumstition to your sons to understand better jews
- to travel to Vatican City to understand better catholics
- to grow long beard and buy a dagger to understand better london sikh community.

 

[Uthman]

Fascinating. Well on that informative note:

:threadclo