The Officers of the UK All Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom of Religion or Belief send their thoughts and good wishes to all Muslims who are commemorating the Holy Day of Ashura on Thursday September 20th.

We are pleased that Jewish communities were generally free to observe Yom Kippur yesterday on Wednesday September 19th and that around the world, including in Bahrain and the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, people are generally free to observe Ashura.

However, we also recognise that there have been many times when those who wish to mark this special occasion have not been free to do so. We would like to encourage all Governments to ensure that their citizens have the freedom to observe religious occasions and to practice their faith in peace.