Eid mubarak!

Today is the Muslim celebration of Eid ul-Adha, which commemorates Ibrahim's sacrifice of his son Ismael. The ceremony begins the day after pilgrims to Hajj return from their visit to Mount Arafat, and will last for four days.

There are two Eid festivals each year; the earlier one - Eid ul-Fitr - marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting in late September or October.

When I was a local councillor I represented one of the largest Muslim communities in London and built up strong links with local Muslim groups. Only a few days ago I had the pleasure of being invited to the Ahmaddiyya Muslim community mosque in South Morden. Putney - Southfields in particular - has a large community of Ahmadiyyas, centred on their mosque in Gressenhall Road, not far from West Hill.