By Dr Qari Asim
Imam of Makkah Mosque, Leeds, and senior editor, ImamsOnline
Dr Qari Asim
THE Duke of Edinburgh dedicated his life to tireless service of both the Queen and the country.
I join the whole nation and the Commonwealth in offering my deepest condolences to Her Majesty the Queen and the royal family on the loss of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh.
He lived a long and distinguished life with a deep commitment to public service.
As the longest-serving consort of a reigning British monarch, his consistent support for the Queen during their 73 years of marriage helped our nation maintain continuity and stability through changing and difficult times. From his military service to providing unwavering support to Queen and country, Prince Philip exemplified quiet reserve, loyalty and fortitude.
I had the pleasure of meeting Prince Philip, and found him warm, interesting, and knowledgeable about other religions.
He promoted inter-faith dialogue and urged greater understanding between communities for the common good. He was a man of faith and deep curiosity about others’ religions and beliefs. His longstanding interest in environmentalism is also said to have been connected to his faith.
His interests in religion and environmentalism have been passed on to Prince Charles, who is a strong conservationist and who has said he wants to be “defender of faiths” when he becomes British monarch.
Some may remember Prince Philip as a man who was often blunt, sometimes to the point of giving offence. But he will be remembered for public service. As a faith leader, I am grateful for Duke of Edinburgh’s service to our nation.
Putting others before oneself – whether it be one’s spouse, family, community or country – is at the core of many religions. In our Islamic tradition, we have a saying: “The one who does good to others will not fall, but should he fall, he will always find something to lean on.”
The community being greater than the individual, and individual fulfilment being attained through that process is an idea that has been appreciated by social psychologists for some time.
Prince Philip championed many charitable organisations in his lifetime, from spreading literacy in Africa to saving pandas. His passion was to uplift young people’s aspirations, in particular those who were under-privileged.
He leaves behind a fitting reminder of his incredible work in the form of the Duke of Edinburgh Awards scheme, founded in 1956. The programme continues to provide opportunities to young people of all backgrounds and have impacted and inspired millions of young people across the Commonwealth.
I am aware of many young people from black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds whose lives have been transformed through participating in the Duke of Edinburgh Awards scheme.
His memory invites us to redirect ourselves to the values to which he devoted his remarkable life, in particular the value of service to others.
I am confident his legacy of faithful service will continue to be an inspiration to all those who work for reconciliation and cooperation between people of different faiths and communities.
The Queen and the royal family are very much in our thoughts at this time of immense sorrow.
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)