I wish a happy and peaceful Eid to all Muslims in the UK and across the world as they gather with their families to celebrate and mark the end of Ramadan. British Muslims make a vital contribution to all aspects of our society and have helped to shape… read more
I send my warmest good wishes to Muslims here in the United Kingdom, and right around the world, who are celebrating the festival of Eid al-Fitr.
For more than three million British Muslims, who make a huge and valued contribution to our national life, Eid is a truly special time.
Coming after the prayer and deep reflection of the holy month of Ramadan, Eid is a joyous occasion, to be celebrated with family and friends.
In the UK, we rightly take pride in being an open and diverse multi-ethnic and multi-faith democracy.
Over the last month, many British Muslims have shared with neighbours of all faiths and of none the holy practices of Ramadan – from doing charitable work to help in the local community, to coming together to break fast at the end of the day.
This spirit of fellowship and service lies at the heart of every great faith, and it is something around which we can all unite.
Sadly this month has also seen some dark and tragic events, including the truly appalling attack outside the Finsbury Park mosque.
It was the second terrorist attack on the streets of our capital city this month, and it was every bit as sickening as those which came before it.
Attacks like that seek to drive us apart, and our response to them must be to stand even closer together, united, to affirm that hatred and evil will never succeed.
So in that spirit of unity – and on behalf of the whole British people – let me wish you a happy a peaceful celebration.
Eid Mubarak.
read moreJeremy Corbyn MP, Leader of the Labour Party, commenting on the evacuation of tower blocks in Camden, said:
“My thoughts are with all those residents affected by the evacuation of tower blocks in Camden. This is a disruptive and worrying time for them. The council has taken a difficult decision on the advice of fire safety experts, but the safety of residents must always come first.
“Tower blocks across the country have now failed fire safety tests in the wake of the Grenfell tower disaster. This is now a nationwide threat – and the Prime Minister needs to get a grip and lead a national response, including convening the Cobra committee to coordinate government and public action.
“I urge the government to make sure all necessary support – including, crucially, financial support – is urgently made available to councils across the country so they can deal swiftly and effectively with the scale of the fire safety challenge.”
read moreSpectacular celebrations are underway today to mark the ninth annual Armed Forces Day, honouring the exceptional work and dedication of our brave Servicemen and women deployed around the world. read more
A record 300 plus events including parades, military displays and community fetes are taking place right across the country to say thank you to the Armed Forces community for the outstanding work they do; Sailors, Soldiers, Airmen and women, both Regulars and Reservists are being recognised alongside the wider defence family such as Cadets and veterans past and present.
Today the National Event was held in Liverpool attended by His Royal Highness The Earl of Wessex representing The Queen and the Royal Family.
Prime Minister Theresa May, who attended the event, said:
Our world-leading Armed Forces work day and night to defend our country and our way of life, both at home and abroad.
In the aftermath of the Manchester attack, military personnel played a vital role on UK streets, providing visible reassurance to our communities. And further afield they continue to take the fight to Daesh in Iraq and Syria, helping to drive the terrorists back and give ordinary people in those countries the chance to rebuild their lives.
I am proud to have attended the Armed Forces Day celebrations in the great city of Liverpool this year, joining thousands of people in expressing our gratitude to the men and women who do so much to preserve our freedom.
Other guests in Liverpool included Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon, Vice Chief of the Defence Staff General Sir Gordon Messenger, Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson, hundreds of Service personnel, Cadets, veterans and thousands of members of the general public.
Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said:
Today is a valuable opportunity to give something back to the Armed Forces community, which works so hard to keep us safe each and every day.
We have much to thank them for. In the last few years alone, our Armed Forces have fought Daesh terrorism, rescued thousands of migrants in the Mediterranean and helped protect us here at home.
I commend Liverpool for a spectacular event and thank organisers across the country for their efforts to mark Armed Forces Day.
The National Event began at 11am, with gun salutes heralding the start of the parade from St George’s Hall, accompanied by a flypast from an RAF Typhoon and ending with a flypast from the Red Arrows. The military villages then opened and visitors enjoyed an afternoon of exciting displays along the Pier Head including planes, helicopters, diving tanks, inflatable boats, tanks, a field hospital, simulators and marching bands. The Royal Navy’s type-23 frigate HMS Iron Duke has been docked in the city for the celebrations.
Later in Liverpool there were due to be flypasts by a Royal Navy Wildcat helicopter and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. Gun runs, Dragon boat racing and spectacular closing performance of Beat Retreat.
Liverpool’s Assistant Mayor and Cabinet Member for Culture, Tourism and Events, Councillor Wendy Simon, said:
What an incredible event! It truly is a day of celebration, and from the start it has been a sea of colour and sound – a fantastic spectacle for everyone. It was wonderful to see serving personnel, side by side with cadets and veterans marching through Liverpool, cheered on by the crowds lining the streets.
This city has risen the occasion and I’m delighted to say we are giving the armed forced the ‘thank you’ they deserve.
As well as the national event in Liverpool, significant events have been organised across the country including in Caerphilly, Plymouth, Bangor (Northern Ireland) and Edinburgh. A number of smaller events from fetes to film screenings will take place, some of which will be held as far afield as the Falkland Islands and Cyprus.
UK Armed Forces are currently involved in over 20 operations in more than 25 countries, from South Sudan to Iraq. But many of those back at home will be in attendance at events across the country.
Also present will be many veterans that make-up the estimated 2.56 million Armed Forces veteran community living in the UK. Young Cadets will be present too; together the Sea, Army, and Air cadets have almost 100,000 members, many of which will be at events up and down the country.
UK businesses have showed their support too. The Royal Mail is postmarking Saturday’s mail with “Armed Forces Day 24 June 2017”, supermarket chain Morrisons is offering free drinks to Service Personnel and Toby Carvery are offering a free meal.
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