Queen Elizabeth II: UK Muslims express 'sorrow' over monarch's death and pay tribute to life of 'service'

British Muslims expressed their deep "sorrow" following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the UK's longest-reigning monarch, who passed away aged 96 on Thursday. 

Tributes from organisations including the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) and Muslim Women’s Network UK (MWNUK) praised the late Queen for her dutiful public service spanning a nearly 71-year reign. 

These heartful messages often highlighted the monarch's efforts to embrace diversity, praising Elizabeth for reaching out across different faiths within modern multicultural Britain.

"Her Majesty’s reign saw extraordinary change in our country. Over seven decades, the United Kingdom has seen itself transformed into a multicultural and multi-faith society," said Zara Mohammed, Secretary General of MCB, in a statement sent to The New Arab. 

"Her Majesty was the first monarch to engage with newly established Muslim communities here in the UK," she said. 

STATEMENT: Muslim Council of Britain Pays Tribute to Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth II | 8th September 2022

🔗 Read online: https://t.co/NxriOiGw33 pic.twitter.com/oH8dn0vADk

— MCB (@MuslimCouncil) September 8, 2022

In 2002, Queen Elizabeth visited Scunthorpe’s Islamic Community Centre. Abid Khan, chairman of the North Lincolnshire Multi-Faith Partnership, said: "history was made that day" when reflecting on the visit in a BBC article. Mr Khan said the Queen asked questions about prayer mats and was presented with a copy of the Quran. 

MWNUK called the late Queen a "beacon to many". 

Baroness Shaista Gohir OBE and CEO of MWNUK said the monarch "will be remembered in history, and reminds me of what is possible".

The national charity promoting equality for all women and girls pointed to a speech from the Queen in 2011 at the Commonwealth Heads of Government: "The theme this year is, 'Women as Agents of Change'. It reminds us of the potential in our societies that is yet to be fully unlocked."

Muslim Engagement and Development (MEND), the East London Mosque, and countless other UK Muslim organisations shared moving tributes to the monarch on social media. 

Local group Stratford Upon Avon Muslim Association tweeted: "When Muslims hear of death, we say 'Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un' - We belong to God, and to him we return." 

Several other faith organisations across the UK - from Sikh, Jewish and Hindu communities - paid their respects following Queen Elizabeth’s death, offering condolences to the British royal family online.

Queen Elizabeth was a devoted Christian, and often said her faith guided her through troubling moments during her reign.