Boris Johnson wishes Muslims Eid Mubarak

The UK prime minister drew fire last year for comments he made about burqa-wearing women

TOPSHOT - Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson steps out of 10 Downing Street in central London on August 6, 2019 to greet Estonian Prime Minister Juri Ratas (unseen). / AFP / Tolga AKMEN
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British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has wished Muslims in the UK and worldwide Eid Mubarak on the eve of the Islamic holiday.

Mr Johnson, who became prime minister in July, said he wanted to “celebrate the contribution” that 3.3 million Muslims living in Britain had made.

“The story of Eid Al Adha is one of sacrifice, about doing your duty and doing what’s right,” he said.

“And that is something we see daily from Muslims right across the UK – men and women who, in all kinds of different ways, make such a huge contribution to modern British life.

“In business, in our public services, in culture and the media, at the highest levels of government and of course in England’s World Cup-winning cricket team, British Muslims are helping to make this country the success it is today.

“And, particularly during Eid but also all year round, we see extraordinary generosity from individuals in their support for charities that help the less fortunate – really living the values of Eid Al Adha.”

Mr Johnson came under fire last year before his return to the top tier of British politics for comments he made about Muslim women in a newspaper column.

The former mayor of London was branded Islamophobic by Muslim groups after he described women who wear the burqa or niqab as looking like “letterboxes” and “bank robbers”.