23rd March 2023 – Ismaili Centre London

The President of the Ismaili National Council, Naushad Jivraj welcomed Mrs Akshata Murty (British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak’s wife) to the Ismaili Centre, London. Mrs Murty was attending an Iftar High Tea at the Ismaili Centre, London being held on the first day of Ramadan. Mrs Murty was given a tour of the Ismaili Centre, London which was opened by the Rt Honourable Margaret Thatcher on 24th April 1985. Mrs Murty met a cross section of the Ismaili Community and Ismaili Community leaders from across the UK. Prayers were offered at Iftar and Mrs Murty joined the community in breaking fast.

President Jivraj noted how happy he was to start the Holy month of Ramadan with an Iftar High Tea to welcome Mrs Murty to the Ismaili Centre. In his welcome address, President Naushad commented ‘The Ismaili Muslim Community acknowledges the esteemed and unparalleled service of a Prime Minister’s Family...and commitment to the nation and the British people.’ He went on to say ‘The Ismaili Community also adhere strongly to the notion that voluntarily giving our time and knowledge in service to others is synonymous to faith... on behalf of the UK Shia Ismaili Muslim community, we have pledged 100,000 hours of voluntary service to Britain and the British people; in an endeavour to improve the quality of life of the communities in which we live.’