Eid Mubarak!

For thirty days, from dawn to dusk, Muslims forgo food and water. They do this in obedience to the Divine Command to fast, as did the prophets and communities which went before. But, to what purpose do they fast? The Holy Quran tells us that Muslims are commanded to fast so that they may purify themselves of the desires of this world and learn to love humanity. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (s) said that unless one gives up lying and cheating there is no purpose in fasting because Allah does not care for our going hungry and thirsty. A man’s fast is not accepted by Allah unless, when he breaks his fast, he goes to check to make sure his neighbour is not hungry.

The month of Ramadan ends with the festival of Eid which, loosely translated, means the day of recurring happiness. Happiness at being privileged to serve humanity for a whole month without the desire for any reward in return. We did it because love for Allah starts with love for the whole of humankind. So Eid Mubarak to one and all, and prayers that Allah keeps everyone free from harm and difficulties regardless of their colour, creed, religion, sect or nationality.

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The Ahmadiyya Association for the Propagation of Islam (Ahmadiyya Anjuman Ishaʻat Islam) was established in Lahore in 1914 to promote the informed understanding of Islam in the West. In the UK it operated the Shah Jehan Mosque in Woking until the early 1960s. Its new headquarters is at Dar-us-Salaam, 15 Stanley Avenue, Wembley, HA0 4JQ, UK. In 1924, in Berlin, it built the first mosque in Continental Europe of the modern era. The German Government recognises the Berlin Mosque as part of the German national heritage. From its European and other centres around the world this organisation has taught that Islam promotes peace, harmony and mutual respect between all communities and nationalities.

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