MCA Hosts Eid Reunion Dinner Bringing Together Faith, Community and Civil Society Leaders
The Muslim Community Association (MCA) hosted an Eid Reunion Dinner on Wednesday, 3 June 2026, at the London Muslim Centre, bringing together around 140 faith, community and civil society leaders from across London.
The event aimed to strengthen fellowship, solidarity and mutual understanding among diverse communities through the celebration of Eid-ul-Adha and reflection on the enduring lessons from the life of Prophet Ibrahim (AS).
Celebrating the Values of Eid-ul-Adha
Eid-ul-Adha marks the completion of the Hajj pilgrimage to Makkah, during which around two million Muslims from across the world gather to commemorate the devotion, faith and sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, peace be upon him). The festival celebrates the values of obedience, compassion, generosity and unity that lie at the heart of Islam.
The programme was hosted by Hassan Kausar Ahmed, Assistant General Secretary of MCA. Proceedings began with a recitation from the Holy Qur’an by Imam Syed Anisul Haque, who recited verses 35–41 from Surah Ibrahim. The verses highlight Prophet Ibrahim’s prayer that Makkah be established as a place of peace, security and sanctuary.
The audience also enjoyed performances by four young nasheed singers: Rafee Bin Munim, Eshal Alam, Efza Alam and Nuwaira Binte Hossain.
Lessons from the Legacy of Prophet Ibrahim
In his welcome address, MCA Central President, Barrister Hamid Hossain Azad, emphasised the importance of gatherings that strengthen relationships and deepen understanding among people from all backgrounds.
Reflecting on the lessons of Eid-ul-Adha and the legacy of Prophet Ibrahim (AS), he highlighted five key principles:
- Faith in action – true faith is demonstrated through how we respond when tested.
- Gratitude – recognising and appreciating the blessings of faith, family, community and opportunities to serve others.
- The importance of family – the family of Prophet Ibrahim succeeded because they were united by shared values and purpose.
- Unity – overcoming divisions based on nationality, ethnicity, language, politics and personal differences.
- Service to humanity – understanding that the sacrifice of Eid is ultimately about generosity, sharing and caring for others.
He said:
“We celebrate not only with food and festivities but with compassion and responsibility. Let us support those who feel isolated, uplift those who are struggling, honour our elders, encourage our young people, and strengthen the ties that bind us together. Let us commit to building a community that reflects the best of Islamic values: love, compassion, honesty, fairness, service, justice and mutual respect.”
MCA’s Vision and Community Work
Nurul Matin Chowdhury, General Secretary of MCA, delivered a brief presentation on the organisation’s vision, values and programmes.
He described MCA as a grassroots outreach and community organisation that encourages and enables Muslims to be active participants in society while seeking the pleasure of Allah through worship and service to humanity.
Distinguished Guests and Speakers
The event brought together guests from diverse faiths, cultures and communities, reflecting MCA’s commitment to inclusion, engagement and solidarity.
Distinguished attendees included the Executive Mayor of Tower Hamlets, the Executive Mayor of Hackney, the Deputy Mayor and Speaker of Tower Hamlets Council, councillors, community leaders and representatives from organisations across London.
Guest speakers included:
- Cllr Barrister Mushtak Ahmed, Speaker of Tower Hamlets Council
- Maswood Ahmed, Deputy Secretary General, Muslim Council of Britain
- Emmanuel Gotora, Lead Organiser, TELCO (Citizens UK)
- Kevin Courtney, Chair, Together Alliance
- Zoë Garbett, Executive Mayor of Hackney
- Lutfur Rahman, Executive Mayor of Tower Hamlets
- Dr Muhammad Abdul Bari MBE DL, former Secretary General, Muslim Council of Britain
Speakers consistently emphasised the importance of communities working together for the common good, highlighting that religious and cultural diversity should be viewed as a source of strength that enriches society and strengthens social cohesion.
Celebrating Diversity and Community Cohesion
Cllr Barrister Mushtak Ahmed, Speaker of Tower Hamlets Council, delivered a heartfelt address highlighting the borough’s longstanding tradition of peaceful coexistence among diverse communities.
He said:
“Today, Tower Hamlets stands as one of the most dynamic and diverse places in the United Kingdom. More than 137 languages are spoken here, and people from over 200 backgrounds call this borough home. Yet despite that diversity, there remains a strong sense of community.”
Reflecting on the significance of Eid-ul-Adha, he added:
“Eid-ul-Adha teaches us the meaning of sacrifice, and every family represented here understands that deeply. Parents sacrificing for children. Volunteers quietly giving their time. Communities supporting one another through hardship and uncertainty. These acts may never make headlines, but they are the foundation of strong societies.”
Working Together for Truth, Justice and the Common Good
Maswood Ahmed, Deputy Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain, praised MCA’s contribution to community service and unity, describing it as a valued affiliate of the Muslim Council of Britain.
He stated:
“MCA is a valued affiliate of the Muslim Council of Britain, one of more than 500 institutions that makes us a very strong and diverse organisation.”
He also emphasised the importance of standing up for truth and justice, even when doing so is unpopular:
“We need to join hands wherever possible to promote the common good across Britain. We witnessed extraordinary acts of charity, but we also realise that sometimes we need to take a stand, whether it makes you popular or not, because speaking truth to power is very important. That is what makes us principled human beings.”
Valuing Difference and Building Solidarity
Emmanuel Gotora, Lead Organiser of TELCO, reflected on the legacy of the late Neil Jameson, founder of Citizens UK, and his commitment to peace and justice.
Acknowledging the diversity represented in the room, he encouraged communities to embrace rather than fear differences.
He said:
“We have more in common than others would have us believe, but we are also different. We are not always going to agree, and that is okay. That is normal. We should lean into those differences as something to be valued and celebrated, not something to be feared. We must not let fear and division win.”
Strength in Collective Action
Kevin Courtney, Chair of Together Alliance and former Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, spoke about the need to challenge racism and division while building hope through collective action.
He highlighted the broad coalition that forms Together Alliance, bringing together trade unions, community organisations, charities and grassroots groups committed to social justice and equality.
He noted that the Alliance’s recent anti-racism mobilisation demonstrated the power of people from different backgrounds working together in solidarity for a shared cause.
Protecting Community Spaces and Shared Heritage
Zoë Garbett, Executive Mayor of Hackney, spoke about the importance of community, solidarity and protecting spaces that bring people together.
Reflecting on Hackney’s rich history of migration and diversity, she said:
“We have a deep and beautiful interwoven history of solidarity in Hackney. Ridley Road, for example, began as a Jewish market in the 1880s and has evolved through successive waves of migration. These shared spaces are incredibly important, and protecting them is something I work for every day.”
She also stressed the importance of standing against hostility and discrimination directed towards minority communities.
Tower Hamlets: A Borough United
Lutfur Rahman, Executive Mayor of Tower Hamlets, expressed gratitude to residents for fostering a strong and united community.
Highlighting the borough’s resilience and cohesion, he said:
“Faith or no faith, we get on, we look after each other and we support each other. Resident surveys show that 91 per cent of our residents say they get on well with one another. We do not need people from outside to come and incite hatred or division. Tower Hamlets is a borough where people can live in peace and tranquillity, and we are proud of that.”
He also thanked MCA, Together Alliance and other community organisations for their continued contributions to community life and social cohesion.
Concluding Remarks
The evening concluded with remarks from Dr Muhammad Abdul Bari MBE DL, who reaffirmed the importance of working together for the common good regardless of faith, ethnicity or background.
He highlighted MCA’s longstanding contribution to community development and encouraged continued cooperation among diverse groups across the country.
He concluded:
“The vast majority of people in this country are together. Occasions such as this are wonderful opportunities to share our joy and happiness with our neighbours and wider communities. May Allah bless this gathering and allow it to continue for many years to come. Despite our differences, may we continue to live together as one British community.”
A Celebration of Unity and Shared Values
The Eid Reunion Dinner once again demonstrated MCA’s commitment to building bridges between communities and fostering relationships based on mutual respect, understanding and shared values.
Through faith, dialogue and collective action, the event celebrated the spirit of Eid-ul-Adha while reinforcing a common commitment to unity, justice, compassion and service to humanity.