Patrick West

Why is Keir Starmer wishing us Eid Mubarak?

A screen in London's Brick Lane wishes passers-by 'Eid Mubarak' (Getty images)

In case you hadn’t noticed, it’s Eid. But of course you noticed. You’d have to be living in a cave not to be aware that today marked the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. That’s because nearly all public bodies, along with a plethora of private institutions, have been busy on social media reminding you of the fact.

From the Prime Minister, the Royal Family, the Army to the BBC, all the principal manifestations of the state have been at it. Our public broadcaster put on a special Eid Live show on BBC1, followed with another programme, Celebrity Eid. Our private bodies have been following suit, with such unlikely candidates as the Formula 1 team McLaren and Leeds United football club among those joining in the chorus of ‘Eid Mubarak’.

Our public broadcaster put on a special Eid Live show on BBC1, followed with another programme, Celebrity Eid

Unsurprisingly, this has aroused much anger on social media, with accusations of cultural cringe, opportunism, servility and double standards.

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