The six Anglican bishops in the Diocese of West Yorkshire & the Dales have sent a message to all Muslims in the region, wishing them Eid greetings as they begin, later today (Friday), their three-day religious holiday celebrating the end of Ramadan.
The message thanks them for the hospitality they have shown during Ramadan, assures them of the bishops' support and prayers, and says, "Despite the real differences between our faiths, we have much that we share, not least in our commitment to the disciplines of fasting and prayer, and to working for the common good of our neighbourhoods, cities and the whole region".
The message reads:
To our Muslim friends, colleagues and communities in West Yorkshire & the Dales on the occasion of Eid Al-Fitr 2015/1436
Eid Mubarak!
As the bishops of Leeds, Bradford, Wakefield, Huddersfield, Ripon and bishop-elect of Richmond in the Church of England Diocese of West Yorkshire & the Dales, we send our warm good wishes to Muslims celebrating Eid Al-Fitr over the coming days.
After a month of long periods of fasting, prayer and spiritual reflection, we trust that you will greatly enjoy your celebrations with family, friends and neighbours.
It has been encouraging to experience ourselves, and to hear from many people in our churches, the ways in which Christians and others have been invited by Muslim neighbours and friends to share in Iftars during Ramadan. Thank you for your hospitality.
We are aware of the pressure that Muslim communities in West Yorkshire feel at this time, and we assure you of our support and prayers as you face many challenges. Despite the real differences between our faiths, we have much that we share, not least in our commitment to the disciplines of fasting and prayer, and to working for the common good of our neighbourhoods, cities and the whole region.
With our prayers and good wishes,
Rt Revd Nick Baines, Bishop of Leeds
Rt Revd Toby Howarth, Bishop of Bradford
Rt Revd Tony Robinson, Bishop of Wakefield
Rt Revd Jonathan Gibbs, Bishop of Huddersfield
Rt Revd James Bell, Bishop of Ripon
Venerable Paul Slater, Bishop Elect of Richmond