London’s Arab Families Celebrate Eid al-Adha with a Heartfelt Tribute to Gaza

26 June 2024

On the evening of Sunday, June 23, 2024, London’s North Acton Park became a vibrant hub of festivity and solidarity as dozens of Arab families gathered to celebrate Eid al-Adha. This extraordinary event, organized by the Palestinian Forum in Britain (PFB), was dedicated to supporting Gaza and saw a significant turnout. Among those participating were the parliamentary candidates Sameh Habib and Nada Jarash, who expressed their hopes of representing the Arab community in the British political landscape.

Arab Families in UK Supporting Gaza

London's Arab Families Celebrate Eid al-Adha with a Heartfelt Tribute to Gaza

Candidates Sameh Habib, representing North Ealing, and Nada Jarash, representing Ealing Central and Acton, seized this opportunity to connect with voters, underscoring the crucial role of Arab support in the forthcoming British elections. They highlighted that the situation in Gaza could influence many parliamentary seats, making this event a pivotal moment to engage with the community.

While Zaher Birawi, President of the Palestinian Forum in Britain, alongside the charity organization Action for Humanity, oversaw the collection of donations, ensuring that the humanitarian aid would reach Gaza.

London's Arab Families Celebrate Eid al-Adha with a Heartfelt Tribute to Gaza

Birawi then emphasized the somber reality of celebrating Eid while Gaza suffers, stating that dedicating donations through this event was the least they could do. He called for ongoing solidarity and continuous efforts to support Gaza through similar events in Britain.

The celebration also featured Palestinian women preparing and selling a variety of traditional dishes, with all proceeds directed to support the people of Gaza, who continue to endure the Israeli occupation’s siege.

Candidates Highlight the Event’s Significance

العائلات العربية

Sameh Habib stressed the importance of the celebration, saying, “This event is very important for us – the parliamentary candidates – especially as the voting date of July 4th approaches.” He urged voters to hold the Labour Party and those who supported the genocide in Gaza accountable at the ballot box, calling it a moral obligation for all supporters of the Palestinian cause. Habib, who has Palestinian roots, reiterated that Gaza’s plight would impact many parliamentary seats, especially after millions of Britons demonstrated in solidarity with Gaza.

Nada Jarash, who mingled with families during the event, expressed her delight at the support she received during her campaign. “The people here are proud that an Arab will stand in parliament on their behalf,” she said. “Everyone told me that the time for change has come; Labour and the Conservatives no longer have any impact, and it’s time for new faces.” Jarash pledged to address local service issues if elected, while keeping the Palestinian cause at the forefront of her agenda, aiming to be a strong voice for Palestinians in parliament.

العائلات العربية

Al-Arab in UK has actively supported candidates of Arab descent by launching the “Arab Voice” campaign and participating in the media coverage of the “Muslim Vote” campaign. The platform organized several seminars across British cities in preparation for the upcoming elections, aiming to boost political awareness among Arabs in Britain and advocate for their interests.

In essence, this Eid al-Adha celebration in London was not just a festive gathering but a powerful display of unity, support for Gaza, and political mobilization, signaling a potential shift in the British political landscape with a stronger Arab representation.

العائلات العربية