I offer my very best wishes to everyone across Newham who is celebrating Diwali. It is a joyous time when many families in the borough join millions around the world in celebrating their faith and culture.
The message of the Diwali festival of lights is that good will overcome evil, light will triumph over darkness, and knowledge will succeed over ignorance. It is a celebration of family and a time to reflect on what has been achieved and hopes and ambitions for the future.
Celebrating Diwali and other major faith events together helps us to understand each other’s traditions and develop a culture of mutual respect. This is what Newham is so good at. Our great strength is having a wealth of cultures that we celebrate as one.
I am pleased to say happy Diwali to our Hindu, Sikh, Jain and Buddhist communities. It is a very special time and I hope it brings happiness, prosperity and joy to all as we celebrate current friendships, make new ones, and become even closer as a community.