This is an archive of our old website

Please Visit the New Families Matter Website

Families Against Stress & Trauma FAST: Families Against Stress & Trauma Logo

Islamic New Year Message From Saleha Jaffer

At FAST, we would like to wish you all a Happy Islamic New Year and hope that you enjoy this joyous and important day with your loved ones.

It is the time of year when families come together and reflect on what is important. It is a time of spirituality, a time of remembering and reflecting on the sacrifices of the Prophet Muhammed (pbuh), who at a very young age lost his parents. He cherished mothers above all.

As a mother and a grandmother, my thoughts during this important occasion inevitably turn to those families who have lost loved ones to the lure of extremist groups over the last year.

Our thoughts and our prayers are with them.

But, it is important to remember that the extremist groups that are trying to lure our young men and women to their black flag of hate are not representative of the Islam that you and I know and love.

The Islam we know is one of peace, not of hatred. The way that Islamic New Year is celebrated differently around the world shows the diverse peoples and cultures that make up the patchwork quilt of our religion.

Islam is by its very nature inclusive; those who preach exclusivity and see Islam as a closed religion do not represent my family or me.

If you are worried that your child may be going down the wrong path, may be vulnerable to extremism online, or just want free and impartial advice then please feel free to look at the information on our website.

Privacy Policy

Terms & Conditions