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.



Iran Says 5 Inmates at Evin Prison Were Killed in Israel's Airstrike on Tehran

Evin Prison (File photo: Reuters)
Evin Prison (File photo: Reuters)
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Iran Says 5 Inmates at Evin Prison Were Killed in Israel's Airstrike on Tehran

Evin Prison (File photo: Reuters)
Evin Prison (File photo: Reuters)

An Israeli airstrike on Iran's capital last month killed five inmates at Evin prison and resulted in the escape of several others, Iranian media reported Saturday.

The semi-official ILNA news agency and other Iranian media quoted a spokesman for Iran’s judiciary that the five inmates killed in the June 23 strike had been convicted on financial offences. The spokesman didn't name the victims or give any further details.

The judiciary’s own news website, Mizanonline quoted spokesman Asghar Jahangir as saying only that “small number" of inmates were killed. He added that an “insignificant number of inmates” had also escaped and that authorities would soon bring them back into custody, AFP reported.

Jahangir said no one serving time at Evin prison for working with Israel's spy agency Mossad was injured in the attack.

Iranian authorities last month put the death toll from the airstrike at 71. But Iranian media later raised that number to 80 including staff, soldiers, inmates and visiting family members.

It's unclear why Israel targeted the prison. The Israeli Defense Ministry had said on the day of the airstrikes that 50 aircraft dropped 100 munitions on military targets “based on high-quality and accurate intelligence from the Intelligence Branch.”

The New York-based Center for Human Rights had criticized Israel for striking the prison - seen as a symbol of repression of any opposition - saying it violated the principle of distinction between civilian and military targets.

The 12-day air war left more than 1,060 dead in Iran and 28 dead in Israel.