Community Spirit 'Strong' At Eid – Cameron

The Prime Minister has spoken about the strength of community spirit in the UK, as Muslim's around the world prepare to celebrate the festival of Eid-ul-Fitr.

David Cameron sent his best wishes to all Muslim families in the UK and around the world as they celebrate the end of Ramadan, saying: "peace, forgiveness and unity are the spirit of Eid".

However, on Monday morning The Prime Minister took the opportunity to address how the Muslim community had been affected by the riots that had spread throughout the Britain last month.

"This year many of you will come together to contemplate the appalling scenes we have witnessed on our streets and how our communities have been affected.

"Community spirit however remains strong in this country. I was particularly moved by the scenes of a united community coming together in Birmingham, not only to mourn the deaths of three young friends, but also to issue a strong message of unity and cohesion with people of other faiths.

"I wish you all a very happy and peaceful Eid ul Fitr."

The Muslim Council of Britain, contrastingly, focused on the good works carried out by the Muslim community during Ramadan, especially their charitable donations.

"It is a month where we not only refrain from food from dawn to dusk, but we also use the opportunity to remember God and His message of peace and justice, discipline and obedience, brotherhood and compassion by reading and listening to the Quran.

"It is a most rewarding month for charity and doing good works for all people, regardless of faith. Traditionally we have seen Muslims donate to charities in great numbers, and this year was no different especially as many of us were moved by the onset of famine in the Horn of Africa."

Meanwhile, Baroness Warsi also sent her best wishes to those in the UK and around the world celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr, and reminded it's participants to remember those in need.

She said: "This year, Eid comes at an especially poignant moment. A famine has been declared in parts of Somalia, and across the Horn of Africa. The terrible scenes of devastation have shocked us all. 12.4 million people require life-saving humanitarian assistance.

"I'm proud to say Britain is leading the way in responding to this awful situation, as we did with the floods in Pakistan last year. The British taxpayer is providing life-saving help to over 2 million people across the region, including access to drinking water and treatment for starving children. And members of the public have themselves already donated £53 million to the Disasters Emergency Committee Appeal, demonstrating the typical generosity of our country even in difficult economic times.

(DW/CD)