Opinion: 'I was there at the Trafalgar Square Iftar. Don’t let social media shape your view of it'

For those unfamiliar with London, Trafalgar Square is one of the most iconic open spaces in the UK capital. It hosts London’s yearly Christmas tree and Easter Passion Play, a Menorah for Hanukkah, Chinese New Year celebrations, Vaisakhi, Diwali—and, most recently, an Open Iftar event. I was there myself that evening. The organisers were sharing a free dinner—with Muslims and others alike. There were speeches about coexistence, about belonging, about the values the country takes pride in. Even the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, was there, participating like anyone else. I was struck by how ordinary it all felt—people simply coming together to share a meal. It turned the idea of a city where all can feel at home into a lived reality—the same feeling I felt attending the many festivals of India growing up. But it turns out my impressions were wrong, and I had unknowingly been at ground zero of the most dangerous Islamic attack of late on the very culture and identity of Britain—or so you’d think based on the social media reactions.----more----Read full article here: https://theprint.in/opinion/i-was-there-at-trafalgar-square-iftar/2890021/