News from Navin Shah (past staff): Importance of celebrating Diwali acknowledged by London Assembly

Local London Assembly Member, Navin Shah AM, backed a motion raised at today’s Plenary meeting at City Hall, emphasising the importance of the teaching of Diwali in London’s schools. Mr Shah said that the festival’s message of good over evil has “helped to shape multicultural London”.

Diwali is a religious festival celebrated every year by the Hindu, Sikh and Jain communities. Also known as the ‘festival of lights’, it celebrates the spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. Diwali will take place on 7th November this year, followed by the Hindu New Year on 8th November.

Today, at a London Assembly Plenary meeting, Assembly Members passed a motion which formally acknowledges the importance of the festival for all Londoners and its positive contribution to community relations, cultural cohesion and religious understanding.

Local London Assembly Member, Navin Shah AM, said:



"The motion I seconded at City Hall today concerned the celebration of the spiritual and cultural teachings of Diwali. Harrow has the highest concentration of Hindus in the UK, followed by Brent, so Diwali is very significant for nearly 140,000 Hindus, including Jains and Sikhs, living in my constituency.

“Diwali celebrations reflect the rich, multicultural tapestry of London. They also contribute to the community cohesion and cultural prestige of our city.



“The festival’s message of the triumph of good over evil captures the spiritual values of Hinduism. These values have helped to shape multicultural London, where diverse communities live and thrive in a spirit of co-existence, peace and harmony.



“I would like to convey my best wishes to the Hindu, Jain and Sikh communities on the auspicious occasion of Diwali.

“May the Hindu New Year bring happiness, good health, prosperity and peace to all."



ENDS