Harris Bokhari
Her Majesty played an important role in the lives of all her subjects and always had a special place in British Muslims’ hearts.
Her strong work ethic, conviction in faith and family values have always resonated in Muslim communities who have held her up as the role model to emulate. For many immigrant families she was not only adopted as their monarch but loved as a grandmother.
In my family we always stood up for the national anthem and never missed her Christmas speech. My father would share stories with pride of meeting her during her visit to Pakistan but he could never have imagined fifty-three years later his son having lunch with her.
I remember standing in Buckingham Palace and all of a sudden hearing the pattering feet of corgis running into the room, followed by Her Majesty. Her warmth and kindness straightaway put me at ease. As many have commented she had the sharpest humour, joking about how funny people looked when they couldn’t find their ringing mobile phones and the strange items people would carry in their handbags.
We discussed the challenges Muslims were facing in the Commonwealth. Her in-depth understanding of Islam was only natural for someone who engaged with Muslim communities throughout her reign and who had visited mosques across the world. She continued to show her concern by reading a report I sent her about the welfare of Muslims during the pandemic.
The overwhelming loss that Muslims are feeling is clear from the hundreds of mosques that organised special prayers for her last Friday and the number of Muslim charities and leading figures who have shared their grief.
British Muslims have also organised a memorial at Regent’s Park mosque today, which was attended by Muslim ambassadors and leading figures. The event allowed Muslims to grieve for Her Majesty and to acknowledge everything the King has done too. From establishing his Muslim-led mentoring project — Mosaic — to being the first person to visit the victims of the 2017 Finsbury Park Mosque terror attack, the King has always been a friend.
While Muslims grieve for our Queen we also pray together for the greatest legacy she left, her heir. “Long Live The King.”
