Posts in: Local

Please see attached letter from Sir Peter our City Mayor which was delivered to 10 Downing Street by the FMO delegation and on behalf of Sir Peter by Assistant Mayor Manjula Sood MBE.

We thank the City Mayor for his continued support of this initiative.

Jon Ashworth MP for Leicester South has sent a message wishing the community of Leicester an Eid Mubarak. See attached copy of letter.

The FMO are warmed to hear that the MP for Leicester South and two officers from Spinney Hill Police station have taken up a day of fasting as part of Ramadhan.

Jon Ashworth MP who also fasted last year, was present for Suhoor (breakfast to start the fast) at Masjid Umar and also attended the Iftaar (fast breaking) at Masjid Al Falah. 

Like my Leicester constituents I continue to look on in absolute dismay at the unfolding events in Gaza. The ongoing attacks on a besieged people are heartbreaking and this is no means of achieving peace in the region. As I condemned the kidnapping of Israelis I condemn the lethal indiscriminate bombing campaign that has led to the loss of so much innocent life including women and children. The way forward is to end this tragic cycle of violence and enter into negotiated settlements.

Jon Ashworth, Labour MP for Leicester South, will be fasting for the day on Thursday24 July as part of Ramadan. Jon has completed a day’s fast the last two yearsduring Ramadan, and will be repeating the experience this year.

"A special food drive has been held in the city by the Federation of Muslim Organisations during the month of Ramadhan.

It was held in association with the Islamic Society of Britain, LIA Relief Trust and Madani Schools Federation and was supported by Leicester South MP Jon Ashworth.

Tributes have been paid to a respected faith leader who dedicated his life to improving community relations in Leicester. Syed Faiyazuddin Ahmad, of Kimberley Road, Stoneygate, died on Tuesday, aged 80, at the Loros hospice, following a battle with cancer. Mr Ahmad was a founder member of the Leicester Council of Faiths in the 1980s, a former chairman and an honorary life member for his contribution to community relations.  Mr Ahmad was a trustee of the Islamic Foundation in Markfield for many years and is recognised for his contributions in the UK and abroad.

On Saturday 19 July the Federation of Muslim Organisations will be holding a food collection drive.

This food drive is in association with the Islamic Society of Britain, LIA Relief Trust and Madani Schools Federation.

Speaking before the event, Jon said:

“I would like to thank the Federation of Muslim Organisations and the other organisations for putting in place this important food drive. I know from experience that there are people in my Constituency that will benefit from this event, and for this I am thankful.”

We recently wrote to Jon Ashworth MP (Leicester South) with our concerns over the escalation of violence against the people of Gaza.

We received a reply from Jon which is attached below.

We will continue to press our local MP's to make representation to the Government to do all possible to seek an end to the violence and bring about a resumption of peace talks towards a lasting peace in that region.

The trial of eight people surrounding the tragic deaths of four innocent members of a local family has concluded with guilty verdicts but we now await sentencing. Shehnila Taufiq and her three children Zainab, Bilal and Jamal all died following an arson attack on their home in Spinney Hills, which took place on September 13 last year. They were respected members of the Muslim community who were active in local community life.

Recent publicity about the group “Britain First” and the disgraceful events in the mosques in Bradford, have led me to drop you a line. I would want you to know that they certainly do not represent the Christian community in this country, and that we do not recognise their brand of “Christianity”.