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On this small planet we inhabit an increasing number of people move from one home to another, many in times of adversity. For example, we鈥檝e recently seen images of people crammed into boats; the Rohingya community is finding that it鈥檚 not welcomed anywhere, including its homeland. For some people the decision to move is made through choice and for others it鈥檚 simply a decision between life and death. The nature of what we understand by hospitality has changed throughout my life. Unlike my parents and grandparents I鈥檝e become acclimatised to moving and settling in different parts of the UK. I鈥檝e relocated several times, and I imagine I will move to wherever I find family, work or opportunity. I鈥檓 perhaps not too different from 1000鈥檚 of others who鈥檝e left their towns and cities in one part of the UK to move to another. I鈥檓 certainly no different to the millions of people in the world who wish to find a home and hospitality, somewhere safe for them and their children. Hospitality is an age-old tradition that has roots in theology and practice. Muslims around the world understand that to be hospitable to those around you is to draw closer to God. Muhammad followed those Prophet鈥檚 that came before him by emulating the divine principle of giving guests preference over yourself. Reaching out to others can increase social ties and bind communities together so that people come to know and trust one another. We know that this has helped new communities to feel settled and contribute to our country by adding to the national purse as well as simple day-to-day community engagement. To remain true to the spirit of a Muslims鈥 understanding of being hospitable requires people to reach out with the intention of making others comfortable, safe and secure. It comes from the Islamic principle of "Let the believer in God and the Day of Judgement honor his guest鈥. This intention is not only relevant to those of older age, but a study by AXA explored the idea that more young people are living alone and suffering from loneliness. Their poll found that 18-24 year olds are four times as likely to feel lonely 鈥渕ost of the time鈥 as those aged over 70. So the idea of people living in isolation is clearly pertinent beyond the refugee, asylum seeker or elderly person. It includes those who don鈥檛 wear the stereotypical labels; it also affects the young, professional, educated and dynamic people who are considered to be in their 鈥榩rime鈥. And it raises the question that should affect us all - of what hospitality means today.
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