Thank You Very Much, Prince Charles!

ON April 24, 2020, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince of the United Kingdom, Prince Charles, was virtually hosted by BBC presenter, Asad Ahmad, and Senior Head of Mosaic and Community Integration at The Prince’s Trust, DR. Nizam Udin, at an iftar event organized by Islamic Relief UK, expressed his congratulations to Muslims in the UK and around the world who will perform the Fasting Service during the Holy Month of Ramadan, as follows:

Ramadhan

“In different circumstances, this would have been a joyous time of year mosques would be filling with life, families would be coming together to share food and prayers and many of them would be inviting their neighbors and friends, from all faiths and none, to join them, I can only begin to imagine how desperately difficult and sad this must be for all of you who cherish this special month and everything it normally brings. What has moved me greatly has been hearing all the brilliant work carried out by Muslim volunteers and local initiatives through mosques including working in partnership with temples, churches and other faith groups to support all members of all communities in such a difficult time. Many British Muslims will spend this Ramadan on the frontline of the Covid crisis, working in our NHS or other key roles, most tragically I know that a number of highly experienced and invaluable doctors and nurses form the Muslim community have lost their lives due to this pernicious virus. To their families and colleagues, I can only convey my deepest possible sympathy, and to everyone on the frontline of whatever religions, I offer my profound admiration and heartfelt gratitude for all that they are doing for all of us.”

Humanity

Thank God, Prince Charles has recovered from the Corona virus exposure. I met His Highness the Crown Prince of the United Kingdom for the first time at a luncheon at the Hotel Borobudur, Jakarta, when he visited Indonesia in 1989.

The impression I got from the brief meeting was that he is a sincere humble, courteous, and knowledgeable culture person. He asked a lot about Nusantara culture heritages including jamu as the traditional herbal medicine of Indonesia. To add more information about jamu for Prince Charles, I wrote a small book titled "A Short Introduction to Jamu" which I dedicated to the Library of Prince of Wales. The interfaith wisdom of Prince Charles is implicit in his Iftar expression.

As a sincere Christian he has delivered a congratulation message to Muslims in the Holy Month of Ramadan. The Prince Charles's virtue in humanity is reflected in his special tribute given to Muslim doctors and nurses as Health Heroes who die as front guard paramilitary troops in the battle against Corona's wrath. Prince Charles’ Iftar is a beautiful brilliant shimmering ray penetrating the dark cloud of the disastrous Corona pandemic. Thank You Very Much, Prince Charles!

The writer is the founder of Institute for Humanity Studies in Jakarta, Indonesia.

This article is translated from Bahasa Indonesia to English by the CEO of RMOL News Offices, Teguh Santosa