Theresa Villiers, MP for Chipping Barnet has issued the following message on the eve of the Eid al-fitr annual festival...
“I would like to wish Eid Mubarak to all of my constituents who are celebrating this weekend. I am so sorry that the coronavirus outbreak means that large scale community and extended family gatherings for Eid cannot take place this year. I realise that these traditional get-togethers are an important part of this special time of the year for the Muslim community and that there will be great disappointment that many of the usual Eid activities have to be scaled back or cancelled altogether.
I do hope that families will still be able to enjoy festivities within their households and that Eid greetings can be sent to extended family and friends via the electronic means we have all had to get used to since the lockdown began.
Ealier this week, I was privileged to be asked to join a panel for the first ever virtual Barnet Iftar. It was open electronically to anyone in the borough and it was an honour for me to be able to take part alongside people like Inass Ibrahim who, like so many others, has been doing incredible volunteer work to help people in Barnet get through the Covid emergency.
I appreciate that fasting when you are stuck at home is probably even more difficult than when you are out and about leading a busy life. So well done to everyone who has been able to observe this year's fast for the Holy Month of Ramadan. I wish you well with breaking the fast and hope you have a very Happy Eid!"
Eid al-fitr marks the end of the month-long sunrise to sunset fasting of Ramadan. It is traditionally marked by community open air prayers and shared family meals.
