Prince Harry slams media reports of ‘boasting’ about 25 Taliban kills as ‘dangerous lie’
Prince Harry slams media reports of ‘boasting’ about 25 Taliban kills as ‘dangerous lie’/node/2230691/world
Prince Harry slams media reports of ‘boasting’ about 25 Taliban kills as ‘dangerous lie’
Prince Harry racing out from a VHR (very high readiness) tent with fellow crew members, to scramble his Apache helicopter at Camp Bastion, southern Afghanistan in 2012. (Reuters/File Photo)
Prince Harry slams media reports of ‘boasting’ about 25 Taliban kills as ‘dangerous lie’
‘Having spent nearly two decades working with veterans, I think the most important thing is to be honest’
He has been criticized for describing those he killed as ‘chess pieces’ in his new book
Updated 11 January 2023
Arab News
LONDON: Prince Harry has hit back at media “spin” surrounding his memoir released this week, saying he is particularly upset by the “dangerous lie” that he had boasted about killing 25 Taliban fighters in Afghanistan while serving as a military helicopter pilot.
He was criticized for describing those he killed in his book “Spare” as “chess pieces,” with some military figures saying it was wrong to refer to the dead in such a manner.
In the book, he recounts two tours of Afghanistan, his first in 2007/2008 as a forward air controller, and again in 2012 as a co-pilot gunner in Apache attack helicopters.
British newspapers, which he heavily criticizes in his book, and some senior former British military figures have attacked his decision to make public the number of those he had killed, saying it could put him and others at risk of reprisals.
Speaking to US chat show host Stephen Colbert on “The Late Show,” Prince Harry said he had only spoken out about his experiences in Afghanistan to reduce the number of potential suicides by military veterans.
“Without doubt the most dangerous lie that they have told, is that I somehow boasted about the number of people that I killed in Afghanistan,” he said, adding that the press had spun his words to take his disclosure out of context.
“I made a choice to share it because having spent nearly two decades working with veterans all around the world, I think the most important thing is to be honest and be able to give space to others to be able to share their experiences without any shame.”
On Tuesday, the publisher of his book said it had become the UK’s fastest-selling non-fiction book ever.
LONDON: Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has switched on the Ramadan lights as British Muslims prepare to welcome the fasting month this week.
“A beautiful celebration of the holy month and a reminder that our city is a beacon of hope, unity, and inclusivity. A city where diversity is a strength, and where everyone is loved and wanted,” Khan wrote on X.
The heart of London’s West End is now illuminated by 30,000 LED bulbs for the fourth consecutive year, celebrating culture, cuisine, and community during the holy month when Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset.
Rahima Aziz BEM, a trustee of the charitable Aziz Foundation, told Arab News that organizing the canopy of lights on Coventry Street, near Piccadilly Circus, has expanded every year since 2023.
“And what started as just a simple light installation has become something where you can really experience the spirit of Ramadan and what it has to offer,” she said.
For this year’s program, the Aziz Foundation has organized “Shared Lights,” an interfaith art exhibition in the basement of the Zedwell Hotel, featuring 20 artists from across the UK who explore the values central to Ramadan, including love, peace, generosity, and hope.
For this year’s program, the Aziz Foundation has organized “Shared Lights,” an interfaith art exhibition in the Zedwell Hotel’s basement. (Credit: Aziz Foundation)
The charity has also created an interactive digital map of halal and vegetarian-friendly restaurants, allowing visitors to plan their iftar meals from exclusive set menus and locate nearby prayer spaces and evening activities.
“Many young Muslims will choose to have iftar out with their friends and family, in central London. So, we wanted to provide them with more incentive to really spend and boost the local economy, through freebies and special discounts,” Aziz said.
An estimated 4 million British Muslims live across England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales, with over 1 million living in London alone, according to the 2021 census. London was the first major European city to adorn its central streets with Ramadan lights, which have become part of the city’s calendar alongside Hanukkah and Diwali.
A sign that reads “Happy Ramadan,” decorated with stars and crescent moons, will be illuminated nightly from 5:00 p.m. until 5:00 a.m., and will then change to “Happy Eid” in celebration of Eid Al-Fitr in March. This year, Ramadan coincides with Lent, a 40-day season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Lent begins on Feb. 18 and concludes on April 2. If the moon is sighted, Ramadan is expected to start on Feb. 17 and end on March 18.
“Eventually, we’ll get to a time where we’re sharing Ramadan with Christmas, which is just beautiful. Great opportunity for some cross-cultural experiences,” Aziz added.
London was the first major European city to adorn its central streets with Ramadan lights. (Credit: Aziz Foundation)
Ramadan, which follows the lunar Hijri calendar, occurs approximately 10 to 11 days earlier each year in relation to the Gregorian solar calendar. This year, Muslims in London will fast for between 12 and 14 hours daily. Iftar is held around 5:30 p.m. at the beginning of the month and around 6:30 p.m. as the month approaches the end. However, when Ramadan falls in the summer, the fasting period can last nearly 19 hours, and these hours vary across countries and regions within a country.
Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, alongside the Shahada, a profession of faith, prayer, giving alms, and performing Hajj. Muslims refrain from food, drink, and some activities during daylight for 30 days as a way to reflect on religion, life, and empathize with the poor.
“I grew up in London. I’ve been here most of my life,” Aziz said. “What is really special for me is seeing the curiosity about Ramadan and about Islam increase. Ramadan lights are about making people feel that London is a melting pot of diversity, for everyone.”
