There has been much attention over the past week over how new MPs have chosen to be sworn in. This new parliament is the most openly non-religious in history. Around 40 per cent of MPs, including the Prime Minister, chose to take the secular affirmation rather than a religious oath. Half the new Labour cabinet followed Sir Keir Starmer in doing so. But this afternoon one of his cabinet has made history doing the opposite: Shabana Mahmood has been sworn in as Justice Secretary. The second woman to take the role (Liz Truss was the first), she is the first Muslim – taking her oath on the Quran, the first time this has happened.

In her speech Mahmood said:

In Chapter 3 Verse 135 of the Quran it says: ‘O ye who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah. Even as against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin. And whether it be (against) rich or poor: For Allah can best protect both.’

This........

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