During this Feast of Sacrifice our thoughts turn to what it means for Muslims to perform Hajj and what this act of pilgrimage and devotion means for everyone who wants to learn from the great tradition of Islam.

For me, the inspirational thing about the act of Hajj is the great restlessness it shows in the Ummah – the great stirrings for justice that reside in the Muslim heart. When people are drawn from each corner of the world, inspired by a shared and ancient ideal to act as one in the service of a better world – then it summons in us a truly modern hope that we can build a global society characterised by fairness and cooperation and respect.

At this special time for the Muslim community we can also reflect upon and celebrate the tremendous contributions of British Muslims to our national life.

Please accept my warm best wishes, and those of the whole Labour government, on this auspicious occasion of Eid Al-Adha. Eid Mubarak

 Gordon Brown