Royal recognition of Covid impact during Ramadan
THE Prince of Wales referred to the recent death of his father during a virtual iftar to mark the end of Ramadan on Monday (10), saying: “This year so many families, like my own, will have an empty seat at their dinner table.”
At an event organised by the British Asian Trust (BAT) and the Naz Legacy Foundation, Prince Charles reflected upon the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on families across the world.
He also touched upon the death of his father, the Duke of Edinburgh, who passed away last month.
In a recorded video message, Charles said: “The last year I know has been deeply challenging for us all, and I am only too aware of the impact of the pandemic on the Muslim community. This year so many families, like my own, will have an empty seat at their dinner table and friends will no longer be able to share the celebratory hug after Eid prayers. I can only say how deeply saddened I am by this tragic situation and how my heart goes out to all those who have lost their loved ones.”
The event, organised to mark the end of Ramadan, was also attended by foreign secretary Dominic Raab; Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster; Sarah Mullally, Bishop of London; the chief Rabbi, Ephraim Mirvis; and London-based Imam Mohammed Mahmoud, among others.
During Ramadan, the Naz Legacy Foundation co-hosted a number of virtual iftar events which attracted more than 30,000 attendees. Previous guests and speakers include health secretary Matt Hancock; solicitor-general Lucy Frazer and Labour MP Angela Rayner.
The virtual iftars have been supporting the #IfICanSheCan UK Aid Match Appeal.
BAT is raising funds for the appeal, to support its Livelihoods programme that equips women with new skills so they can earn a livelihood in south Asia.
Donations made by the UK public to the appeal before May 31 will be doubled by the UK government, to support people in the poorest parts of Pakistan to rebuild their lives as BAT has been selected as a UK Aid Match project partner.