A Zaidi

Warmest wishes to Muslims who are marking the end of Ramadan across the UK and around the world. May your Eid‑al‑Fitr be joyful and full of peace. Eid Mubarak.

Eid Mubarak to everyone celebrating in London and around the world. This Ramadan, I’ve had the privilege of breaking bread with Londoners of all backgrounds.

The Iranian regime executed a 19 year old for demanding democracy. I stand with his memory and the thousands of other young Iranians. Those who grieve the elimination of Iranian leaders over murdered protesters is telling.

The Islamic Republic has launched a new wave of executions, taking revenge on its own people after being humiliated militarily by the U.S. and Israel. This morning at dawn, 19-year-old wrestler Saleh Mohammadi was executed for taking part in the January protests. We are begging America and Israel to destroy and stop the Islamic Republic’s killing machine.

Too many are too polite to say this. But mass ritual prayer in public places is an act of domination. The adhan - which declares there is no god but allah and Muhammad is his messenger - is, when called in a public place, a declaration of domination. Perform these rituals in mosques if you wish. But they are not welcome in our public places and shared institutions. And given their explicit repudiation of Christianity they certainly do not belong in our churches and cathedrals. I am not suggesting everybody at Trafalgar Square last night is an Islamist. But the domination of public places is straight from the Islamist playbook. Trafalgar Square belongs to all of us. It is a national memorial to our independence and our salvation. Last night was not like a televised football match or a St Patrick’s Day celebration. It was an act of domination and therefore division. It shouldn’t happen again.