London’s mayor says residents should join in Ramadan fasts

LONDON (RNS) London Mayor Boris Johnson has called on the city’s millions of residents to join Muslims in fasting for at least a day during the Islamic observance of Ramadan to better understand Islam. Then, says Johnson, Londoners should break their fast by visiting one of the numerous mosques that dot the British capital. Johnson, […]

LONDON (RNS) London Mayor Boris Johnson has called on the city’s millions of residents to join Muslims in fasting for at least a day during the Islamic observance of Ramadan to better understand Islam.

Then, says Johnson, Londoners should break their fast by visiting one of the numerous mosques that dot the British capital.

Johnson, speaking at the East London Mosque and London Muslim Center, said such an experience could demonstrate a welcoming of Muslims into Britain’s mainstream society.


“Muslims are challenging the traditional stereotypes and showing that they are, and want to be, a part of the mainstream community,” Johnson said.

“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 neighbor and break your fast at a local mosque.”

Some 1.6 million Muslims in Britain’s population of 61 million people are estimated to be observing Ramadan, which ends Sept. 20.

But the London mayor’s fast-for-a-day campaign was not welcomed by everyone in the city. Terry Sanderson, president of the National Secular Society, suggested it could deepen social divisions.

“This (Johnson’s) message obviously seeks to flatter Muslim voters,” Sanderson told journalists, “but that does not make it any less of a silly overstatement.”

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