Johnson Praises Muslims for Making Britain a ‘Success’

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. AFP file photo
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. AFP file photo
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Johnson Praises Muslims for Making Britain a ‘Success’

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. AFP file photo
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. AFP file photo

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has lauded Muslims for making Britain a “success” in a message marking Eid al-Adha.

In the message, Johnson, who became Prime Minister in July, called on people to celebrate the contribution made by the UK’s estimated 3.3 million Muslims.

“The story of Eid al-Adha is one of sacrifice, about doing your duty and doing what’s right,” Johnson said in his statement.

“And that is something we see daily from Muslims right across the UK – men and women who, in all kinds of different ways, make such a huge contribution to modern British life.

“In business, in our public services, in culture and the media, at the highest levels of government and of course in England’s World Cup-winning cricket team, British Muslims are helping to make this country the success it is today.”

UK’s PM also praised the “extraordinary generosity” of Muslims, who traditionally celebrate by donating to charity and sharing meals with loved ones.

Johnson’s statement comes amid controversy over his previous remarks about Muslims.

He compared women who wear veils to “letterboxes” last year, but later apologized.



US House Speaker Johnson Will Travel to Israel on June 22 

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., during a news conference at the RNC near the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (AP)
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., during a news conference at the RNC near the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (AP)
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US House Speaker Johnson Will Travel to Israel on June 22 

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., during a news conference at the RNC near the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (AP)
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., during a news conference at the RNC near the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (AP)

US House Speaker Mike Johnson will travel to Israel to address the parliament on June 22, he said on Wednesday.

"Our ties run deeper than military partnerships and trade agreements," Johnson said in an emailed statement.

Punchbowl News, which first reported Johnson's plan, said the House Speaker was expected to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem during the trip.

Johnson did not provide further details on the planned trip.

Johnson announced the visit as Israel presses on with its military campaign in the Gaza Strip, more than 20 months after it launched its offensive there in response to a deadly incursion into Israel led by the Palestinian group Hamas.

On Tuesday, Australia, Britain, Canada, New Zealand and Norway imposed sanctions on far-right Israeli cabinet ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, accusing them of repeatedly inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.

Israel called the action "outrageous" and said the Israeli government would hold a meeting early next week to decide how to respond.