Prime Minister sends Ramadan greetings

The Prime Minister sends his greetings to all Muslim communities for the holy month of Ramadan, in Britain and around the world:

Full Transcript:

It’s the holy month of Ramadan – a time when mosques open their doors, community centres welcome in their neighbours, and even churches and synagogues offer up their spaces as Muslims break their fasts – and people of all faiths and none are often asked to join.

Coventry Cathedral is holding its own multi-faith iftar. In Manchester, they’re combining an iftar with England’s European Championships appearance. And homeless shelters up and down the country are holding ‘Iftars with the Homeless’.

Of course, fasting is what comes to mind when we think of Ramadan. It’s part of the month that really puts Muslims’ faith to the test – especially during these long, warm days.

But there is much more to it.

There is all the energy and money people donate to those who are less fortunate and all the extra time spent in prayer and contemplation.

Uppermost in all our minds this Ramadan are those whose lives have been torn apart by the twin evils of Assad and Daesh, all those families spending this holy month in refugee camps mourning loved ones; yearning to go back to school or work; wondering when they’ll return home again.

Our thoughts – whatever our backgrounds or beliefs – are with them. And we must continue to support the people of Syria and the region, as we work towards a lasting political solution. Because that’s who we are as a country. We won’t walk on by. So this Ramadan, let’s renew our resolve to help those victims.

Let’s continue to come together for iftars and community events. Let’s celebrate the proud, multi-racial, multi-faith democracy we live in. To everyone in Britain and around the world – Ramadan Mubarak.

Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond also wishes all Muslims ‘Ramadan Mubarak’, saying:

This Ramadan, I wish all Muslims, in the UK and around the world, ‘Ramadan Mubarak’.

Ramadan is a time for contemplation, reflection and acts of kindness and charity. Most Muslims will spend this Ramadan with their families, but poverty and conflict are keeping people apart. This includes the millions of Syrians who have been displaced and those in refugee camps.

The UK is acting tirelessly for a resolution to the conflicts in Syria, Iraq and Yemen. We will continue to work for a peaceful, secure world and support all those who need our help. I welcome calls for a nationwide truce in Syria during Ramadan and encourage all those with influence to take this opportunity to end the bloodshed.

Ramadan is a time for contemplation, reflection and acts of kindness and charity. Most Muslims will spend this Ramadan with their families, but poverty and conflict are keeping people apart. This includes the millions of Syrians who have been displaced and those in refugee camps.

The UK is acting tirelessly for a resolution to the conflicts in Syria, Iraq and Yemen. We will continue to work for a peaceful, secure world and support all those who need our help. I welcome calls for a nationwide truce in Syria during Ramadan and encourage all those with influence to take this opportunity to end the bloodshed.

Greens criticise green light for green belt development

‘This scheme would unnecessarily chew up yet more of our precious greenbelt when we should be protecting it’ – Alison Johnstone MSP.

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Alison Johnstone, Scottish Green MSP for Lothian, has urged Edinburgh city council to reject proposals for 1,320 homes on greenbelt land between the City Bypass and Gogar Station Road on the western outskirts of the city Continue reading Greens criticise green light for green belt development

Letters: EU be the judge

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Dear Editor

In my many letters over many years I have always highlighted social injustices imposed by our own politicians against working people, and urged the need for ordinary people to work together in resisting further attacks.

We have helped, and have been helped, bu all people in the European Union in passing laws:

  • A maximum 48 hours working week
  • A minimum break at rest from work between shifts
  • Four weeks paid annual leave
  • Paternity Leave
  • Health & Safety at Work rules
  • Equal pay for men and women
  • Making racial and disability discrimination illegal
  • Clean water supplies and pollution controls
  • The right to join a trade union or association
  • And many other benefits

All of these laws were minimum requirements, but could be improved on by individual nations’ own parliaments. Bear in mind it was ALL the member states of the EU who cooperated and agreed these regulations, covering approximately 500 million people.

The main threat posed by those who advocate leaving the EU is to do away with all these laws on social justice and replace them with their own legislation. Why?

Two questions immediately arise:

First, why not improve the existing laws if their intention is to pass better laws – this can be done by any nation in the EU.

And second: Why did they not do it years ago?

When the world is crying out for more cooperation to tackle pressing problems of unemployment, climate change, energy supplies, water and food provision, the depletion of natural resources, those people who want to leave the EU represent the most backward step the UK could take. WHY? And WHO are they?

A. Delahoy

Silverknowes Gardens

Ben Macpherson sworn in as Northern Leith MSP

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Ben Macpherson MSP - Solemn Affirmation - swearing in ceremony, 12 May 2016

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PPP school closures: There must be transparency, Greens warn

‘If the confidence of the public and school communities is to be restored this fiasco must be carefully examined’ – Cllr Melanie Main

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Green city councillors have criticised an update report on the ongoing school closures and are warning Edinburgh’s Labour/SNP administration that there must be transparency as an inquiry into last month’s PPP1 school closures is announced. Continue reading PPP school closures: There must be transparency, Greens warn

Election results: Edinburgh

Edinburgh results in full:

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EDINBURGH CENTRAL

RUTH DAVIDSON (CON) 10, 399

Alison Dickie (SNP) 9789

Sarah Boyack (LAB) 7546

Alison Johnstone (GRN) 4644

Hannah Bettswoth (LD) 1672

Tom Laird (SLD) 119

Majority 610

CONSERVATIVE GAIN

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EDINBURGH EASTERN

ASH DENHAM (SNP) 16,760

Kezia Dugdale (LAB) 11 673

Nick Cook (CON) 5 700

Cospatric D’Inverno (LD) 1 264

Majority 5087

Turnout 56.3%

SNP HOLD

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EDINBURGH NORTHERN & LEITH

BEN MacPHERSON (SNP) 17,322

Lesley Hinds (LAB) 10 576

Iain McGill (CON) 6 781

Martin Veart (LD) 1779

Jack Caldwell (IND) 1344

Majority 6746

Turnout 55.2%%

SNP GAIN

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EDINBURGH PENTLANDS

GORDON MacDONALD (SNP) 13, 181

Gordon Lindhurst (CON) 10 725

Blair Heary (LAB) 7 811

Emma Farthing-Sykes (LD) 1 636

Majority 2456

Turnout 60.4%

SNP HOLD

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EDINBURGH SOUTHERN

DANIEL JOHNSON (LAB) 13, 597

Jim Eadie (SNP) 12 474

Miles Briggs (CON) 9 972

Pramod Subbaraman (LD) 2 216

Majority 1123

Turnout 64.2%

LABOUR GAIN

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EDINBURGH WESTERN

ALEX COLE-HAMILTON (LD) 16, 645

Toni Giugliano (SNP) 13 685

Sandy Batho (CON) 5 686

Cat Headley (LAB) 3 750

Majority 2960

Turnout 64.5%

LIB DEM GAIN  

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LOTHIAN LIST MSPs (7)

Jeremy Balfour (Con)

Miles Briggs (Con)

Kezia Dugdale (Lab)

Neil Findlay (Lab)

Alison Johnstone (Grn)

Gordon Lindhurst (Con)

Andy Wightman (Grn)