The Joint Mosques Council (JMC) of Peterborough, a city in eastern England, has issued a Christmas message emphasizing compassion, interfaith solidarity, and renewed commitment to supporting vulnerable people in society.
In a statement released ahead of Christmas, Abdul Muquaddas Choudhuri JP, Chairman of the Joint Mosques Council of Peterborough, conveyed greetings from the city’s Muslim community to Christians locally and beyond, highlighting shared values between Islam and Christianity, Peterborough Today reported.
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“Let us make this pledge that we will always help, support our vulnerable people all the time,” Choudhuri said, calling on communities to turn faith into meaningful action.
Choudhuri noted that while Christmas is a time when many families gather to celebrate the birth of Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him), millions of people around the world—including children and the elderly—continue to face hunger, homelessness, and insecurity.
He stressed that such hardship is not limited to poorer countries but is also visible in wealthy nations like the United Kingdom.
“Even in Britain, there are many families struggling to make ends meet due to the high cost of living,” he said, pointing to senior citizens who are unable to afford heating during the winter despite having contributed to society throughout their lives.
The JMC chairman contrasted these struggles with large-scale government spending on armaments, urging a greater focus on social welfare and human dignity.
One Message of Love
He emphasized that the core teachings of both Islam and Christianity call for care for the poor, the elderly, and the most vulnerable.
“Teachings of Christianity through Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) and of Islam through Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) are to love, care, and help all human beings,” he said.
Choudhuri highlighted practical examples of Muslim-led charitable work in Peterborough.
In recent years, worshippers at Faizan-e-Madinah Mosque have donated funds to buy toys for children in the city hospital’s Amazon Children’s Ward, while Ghousia Mosque raised nearly £3,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support.
Encouraging generosity during the festive season, he urged families buying gifts for their own children to also remember those who cannot afford presents.
He concluded with a call for year-round compassion, saying the goal should be “peace for all people, not only at Christmas time,” and expressed hope for “a more peaceful and prosperous 2026.”