The British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett has lauded the contribution of British Muslims to every aspect of British life saying that they have helped to drive economy, invigorated public and political life and enriched the country's culture.
Speaking at a reception to celebrate the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office here on Thursday evening, she also spoke of the enormous sacrifices rendered by Muslims in the two world wars. She said of the over 1.4 million soldiers from the Indian sub-continent who served in the First World War, about a quarter of them were Muslims.
The Foreign Secretary recalled that in 1940 British Government donated 100,000 pounds to construct the first purpose built mosque in London to honour the memory of those who were killed. She said in the Second World War, two and a half million soldiers from the Indian sub-continent were in action and thousands of them were Muslims. "Four Victoria Crosses were won by soldiers who came from what is now Pakistan".
This, she stated further, "is a powerful reminder that people from every section of our society have fought and died for the freedom and rights that we all enjoy in this country".
The British Muslims are and will always be hugely valued and admired part of the common British community, said Ms Beckett. She further stated that many communities including Muslims have found a society in which they have been welcomed and in which they feel at home.
"Free not only to practice their religion openly and proudly but free also to speak their minds, to carve out livelihoods for themselves and to get involved in every aspect of the life and the running of the country."