by Amaliah Team in World on 19th June, 2018
British born blogger Dina Torkia, nasheed artist Khaled Siddique, charity worker Madiha Raza and Saffana Monajed from Project Ribcage, alongside others, have rejected Theresa May’s formal invitation to celebrate Eid at no. 10 downing street. Khaled Siddique mentioned that although he was honoured to be invited, he was, “deeply disappointed,” by the governments, “involvement in foreign policy, treatment over the Grenfell disaster, and policies towards minorities and the vulnerable in our society.”
The 25-year-old, who featured in a 2008 BBC documentaryBoys Don’t Sing revealed his disapproval of the invitation on his Instagram. He went on to say, “so prime minister, while I wish you nothing but good and success in leading our country, my management and I have decided to turn down your invitation”
Madiha Raza, an activist and humanitarian aid worker, also turned down the offer saying,
“I’m not anti-political engagement,” she said. “I think it’s very important to engage in dialogue politically with things you do or don’t agree with. If it had been like a parliamentary conference or some kind of other events, then that would be different. I just think an Eid reception, in particular, for me would be quite hypocritical given that my day job is to pick up the pieces of the remnants of what the UK government does around the world.”
“I cannot in good conscience bring myself to accept an invitation to celebrate Eid at 10 Downing Street on Monday, knowing that the Eid of children in countries like Yemen involved bombs, death and destruction supplied by the UK government,” she added on her Twitter account.
Shout outs to everyone who declined the Eid party invite from Teresa May. It's nice to know some of us are on the same page! ✌???? ????????
— Dinatokio (@dinatokio) June 18, 2018
This happened – and like others, I could not in good conscience attend this event. The reasons are too many to list, but in general; vile, mean-spirited policies and the tragedy of Grenfell. There may be room for critical engagement in certain instances, but this isn't it. pic.twitter.com/kS3rcAtMGT
— ProjectRibcage (@ProjectRibcage) June 18, 2018
Well done for taking this principled stance Dina. Wouldn't not have expected anything less from you.
— A'ish (@Chordiegurl) June 18, 2018
These prominent Muslims were invited to an Eid reception by the Prime Minister, but turned it down.
Would you accept a government invite to an Eid reception? pic.twitter.com/TVGPpKiC0d
— The Muslim Vibe (@themuslimvibe) June 18, 2018
I cannot in good conscience, bring myself to accept an invitation to celebrate #Eid at 10 Downing Street on Monday, knowing that the Eid of children in countries like #Yemen involved bombs, death and destruction supplied by the #UK government ????
— Madiha Raza (@Madz_Raza) June 15, 2018
Three Muslims turned down Prime Minister Theresa may's invite to an Eid Reception in Downing Street citing her reaction to #Grenfell, her foreign policy in #Syria and rampant #Islamophobia in the ranks of the Tory Party as some of the reasons for ducking out. https://t.co/Q27KjkxTO2
— yvonne ridley (@yvonneridley) June 18, 2018
Dina Tokio rejected the Eid celebration with the PM. Ali official also rejected her. And a couple others. F Theresa May. No one wants to go eat dinner with the devil.
— Tasmina Akthar???? (@TasminaAkthar) June 18, 2018
So @dinatokio turned down an Eid reception invite from Theresa May. Honestly, how can you not love Dina? Such an incredible Muslim woman. Absolute queen. https://t.co/ufzhsG8FKO
— aleesha (@a_leesha1) June 18, 2018
Very chuffed that those who were invited to the Eid Dinner by Theresa May have declined the invitation
— haider (@Numaan__) June 18, 2018
Good move, Dina ????
— M. (@yahayretbisey) June 18, 2018
Massive respect to @dinatokio @aliofficial + Khaled Siddique for publicly declining their invitation to the number 10 Eid Dinner in protest of the PM’s response to Grenfell + Foreign Policy.
This is what using your platform responsibly + with principle looks like. ????????????????
— Maiya Rahman (@RahmanMaiya) June 18, 2018
Takes a lot to turn down an Invite of this magnitude, big up to @dinatokio @Madz_Raza and Khaled Siddique… #Respect
— Hazmin (@hazminahamed) June 18, 2018
@HarrisJOfficial on khaled bin siddique 's insta post pic.twitter.com/Z4fJMnCe3l
— Harrissira???? (@thebeautyN1) May 31, 2018
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