Foreign Secretary's message for Diwali
"I would like to wish all the Hindu, Sikh, Jain and Buddhist communities in Britain and around the world a very happy Diwali and prosperous year ahead".
Prime Minister David Cameron has also sent his best wishes. In his message, the Prime Minister said that the themes of togetherness, truth and service were “shared values” for the whole country.
He also paid tribute to the social, cultural and economic contribution made by British Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists.
The Prime Minister said:
“I would like to send my very best wishes to all our communities celebrating the festival of Diwali.
“I was privileged to be invited to join the Diwali celebrations at the Swaminarayan Temple in Neasden a couple of years ago. I saw then how the values of Diwali - togetherness, truth and service - are values that speak to us all. And I am proud to be Prime Minister of a country that is not only enriched and strengthened by its diversity but is also united by these shared values.
“As families and communities come together to reflect on the past and look forward to the future with hope, I would like to pay tribute to the enormous social, cultural and economic contribution that generations of British Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists have made to our country. And to wish everyone a very happy and peaceful Diwali.”