London, May 16: Pictures of London's first Muslim mayor Sadiq Khan's visit to one of the city's most famous temples where he performed rituals ahead of his election have gone viral on social media.
Pictures from the temple visit emerged on social media this week as Khan described the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in north London's Neasden as one of his favourites.
"Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Neasden is one of my favourite places in London," the 45-year-old had said on his Facebook post dated May 3, days before his runaway victory in the mayoral elections.
"As Mayor, I will stand up for London's Indian community, and strengthen London's friendship with India. I look forward to leading a trade delegation to India at the earliest opportunity," Khan said.
In one of the pictures, Khan, who is son of a Pakistani migrant bus driver, is seen performing "Jalabhishek" or water ritual on a golden idol of Shri Swaminarayan.
The visit was a clear attempt on his part to stress his message of wanting to be a mayor for "all Londoners".
"Let me be very clear, I'm not a Muslim leader or Muslims' spokesperson, I'm the mayor of London. I speak for all Londoners," the Labour party politician had told reporters soon after his victory.
The British capital's first Muslim mayor, elected by an overwhelming mandate, has criticised British Prime Minister David Cameron's government and his Conservative party mayoral campaign rival Zac Goldsmith for their divisive election campaign.
"David Cameron and Zac Goldsmith chose to set out to divide London's communities in an attempt to win votes in some areas and suppress voters in other parts of the city," Khan had written in The Observer, in his first article a day after being sworn in as the new mayor on May 9.
"They used fear and innuendo to try to turn different ethnic and religious groups against each other – something straight out of the Donald Trump playbook.
Londoners deserved better and I hope it's something the Conservative party will never try to repeat," he said.
Goldsmith's camp has been criticised for using unpleasant tactics in the campaign, including trying to cash in on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's popularity among Indian-origin Londoners by issuing leaflets with the message -- "Standing up for the British-Indian community".
Khan is reportedly planning a visit to India soon, in an attempt to counter this negative messaging and present his secular credentials.
Khan beat Goldsmith with 57 per cent votes -- the largest mandate of any British politician in history -- marking the return of Labour rule to the UK capital after eight years.
He was officially sworn-in as the new mayor of London at a multi-faith ceremony in Southwark Cathedral here on May 7.
Comments
Lord Ganesha gave him wisdom and he realized nothing happens if he visits temples, prays and makes abhisheka.
And by doing this he will not go to hell so there is no question of burning in hell fire. Our gods will keep Swarga door open for him.
Mr. Khan no need to worry.
Be good, do good, god is always there to protect you.
God bless you, may you be victorious always.
May be a preperation for senator..........
Salman Khan is keeping hindu god's photos and replicas in his home and celebrates hindu festivals...do you consider him to be a muslim...he releases his movie at the end of each Ramadhan to grab money from muslims....muslims after doing Ramadhan pasting and devoting God, blindly go and see his movie and make him millionaire....I dont understand who is muslim and hindu....Mr. Sadiq Khan just went to respect hindus and mere pouring water on sculpture or wearing color on forehead does not make him hindu....
I am sure this name sake khan had shown his real color and that was the reason he was chosen as London Mayor. I dont think he was chosen coz his name is Muslim but coz he believes in religions other than Islam. For this khan islam is nothing but a religion whereas he respects other religions. I hope this khan will soon change his name as narendra / shivnarayan khan which he loves very much. May i ask this khan if he ever visited Masjid for prayer whereas he is regularly visiting temple for offering prayers. Mr. khan dont forget that Allah has the power on everything and He does not need any time to degrade you. If you have got the respect you should be grateful to Allah and should not forget Him. May Allah bless you with right way of thinking and keep yu away from shirk and evil things.
He should have just visited temple, rather than doing these kufr and shirk rituals...
At the same time. Mr. feku Modi also visited Abudabi Grand Masjid, but he never did any islamic prayer in masjid ....
Mr. Khan you did wrong as a muslim ....
Nice khan.Religious is man's faithfulness
He better convert to hinduism, and all sins would be gone.!!!
London A city that welcomes all religion & communities from all over the globe Here's a proof
He is not a true muslim. Only for name. Go to hell....
Please be careful about Bajrangies......
Fi Naari Jahannum.. May allah guide towards tauheed
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