Close X
Friday, September 20, 2024
ADVT 
International

Diwali and Eid to be declared Holiday in Britain?

Darpan News Desk Darpan, 01 Jun, 2014 02:01 PM
    An online petition to the British House of Commons has urged the politicians to create a bank holiday for Hindu Diwali and Muslim Eid festival in the country, a media report said.
     
    The petition has 119,000 signatures and could be debated in the British parliament as the e-petition with over 100,000 signatures qualifies to be considered in the parliament under the rules of e-petition scheme in 2011, Daily Mail reported Sunday.
     
    The two holidays would be the first non-Christian religious holidays in Britain and could lead to calls from other faiths for their events to also be recognised. 
     
     
    Details of the petition are said to have been passed to the Backbench Business Committee of the British House of Commons, which will consider its suitability for debate.
     
    The petition, titled "Make Eid & Diwali Public Holidays", set up by Jon Timmis said: "I believe that, given the number of Muslims and Hindus in this country it is only fair we allow them to have the most important days in their faiths recognised in law."
     
    Diwali is known as the "Festival of Lights" , while Eid is held at the end of Ramadan when Muslims break their fast. 
     
    The e-petition has sparked widespread debate on internet forums and social media, especially those aimed at British Muslims and Hindus, the report said.
     
    The religious and community leaders have distanced themselves from the idea, it added.
     
    Britain has eight bank holidays every year, the second lowest in the world behind Mexico.

    MORE International ARTICLES

    32 children burnt to death in in Colombia

    32 children burnt to death in in Colombia
    The fire broke out in the bus when they were returning from an event at an evangelical Christian church near the city of Fundacion, 750 km north of Bogota.

    32 children burnt to death in in Colombia

    First Look: New York's Times Square resounds to 'Modi, Modi!'

    First Look: New York's Times Square resounds to 'Modi, Modi!'
    Indian-Americans across the country are celebrating Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party's historic win with party supporters planning victory processions and lighting of "diyas" for three nights.

    First Look: New York's Times Square resounds to 'Modi, Modi!'

    Damaged underwater vehicle, searching for MH370, reaches port

    Damaged underwater vehicle, searching for MH370, reaches port
    The ADV Ocean Shield and the Bluefin-21 have been deployed for the ongoing search for the missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 in the southern Indian Ocean off the west coast of Australia.

    Damaged underwater vehicle, searching for MH370, reaches port

    Pakistan army chief to meet Afghan, NATO commanders

    Pakistan army chief to meet Afghan, NATO commanders
    Pakistani army chief General Raheel Sharif will visit Afghanistan Monday to discuss war against terrorism and security situation with top Afghan and NATO commanders.

    Pakistan army chief to meet Afghan, NATO commanders

    Indian jailed for attacking wife in public place

    Indian jailed for attacking wife in public place
    An Indian man in Australia was sentenced to eight months in jail for a violent attack on her estranged wife in her workplace, a media report said Sunday.

    Indian jailed for attacking wife in public place

    Western partners, African leaders vow to fight Boko Haram

    Western partners, African leaders vow to fight Boko Haram
    French President Francois Hollande, West African leaders and representatives of Western powers Saturday voiced determination to forge a strong front to fight militant group Boko Haram.

    Western partners, African leaders vow to fight Boko Haram