British Muslims to drive forward coronation celebrations of King Charles III

A Muslim community in the United Kingdom is sponsoring posters on London’s iconic red buses to drive home a message of goodwill for the coronation of King Charles III.

The celebratory campaign is being led by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, one of the oldest established Muslim communities in the UK.

Family dynamics

While there has been a lot attention on the spectacle, the coronation of Charles III features a divorced king and queen, step-children and step-grandchildren, an ex-husband, a rebellious son and a disgraced brother.

The coronation will be attended by just 2 000 people – a fraction of the more than 8 000 guests who crammed into Westminster Abbey for Queen Elizabeth II’s crowning in 1953.

ALSO READ: A modern coronation: The ex-hubby, the disgraced brother and the rebellious son

Preparations

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in the UK said preparations are being made by mosques across Britain to mark the coronation by inviting friends and neighbours for celebrations over the weekend from 6-8 May.

Buses are running across the capital from 29 April with the message: ‘Congratulations Your Majesty!’ and carry the Coronation logo and the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community UK logo.

“Mosques across Britain will be filled with prayers for His Majesty The King. Mosques will also be sharing food, running fun activities for children and making special donations to local foodbanks as part of The Big Help Out campaign on 8 May,” the organisation said.

Well wishes

In a special message Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the head of the Worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim community, expressed his heartfelt and sincere congratulations to Charles.

Ahmad noted that freedom of religion was a hallmark of the British nation as reflected in the reign of HM Queen Victoria.

“I pray that the occasion of His Majesty’s Coronation proves not only a means of bringing people of different nations together but also a means of fostering a spirit of trust and mutual understanding in society and between nations

“It is my prayer that may God Almighty through His Grace and Beneficence, keep our honoured King safe and in good health. May his reign be one of peace and prosperity for the world, and may the attributes of justice, tolerance and freedom of belief forever remain the guiding principles of the British Monarchy.”

Historic occasion

Rafiq Hayat, UK President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, said the community throughout the UK will mark this historic occasion with public celebrations in mosques and prayers for the wellbeing of the King and country.

“We are delighted to sponsor messages on London buses to celebrate this occasion as a further expression of our loyalty to the country.

“It is an Islamic injunction to be loyal to your nation and the coronation provides a magnificent occasion to declare our commitment to supporting our King,” Hayat said.

ALSO READ: London called and Jo-Ann Strauss answered ahead of King Charles coronation