Eid celebrations to take place in Birmingham and Wolverhampton
Muslims in the West Midlands say this year's Eid celebrations will be a chance to remember people around the world who are suffering.Eid al-Adha, one of the main festivals in the Islamic calendar alongside Eid al-Fitr, will be marked in the UK between Friday and Monday.Two Eid in the Park events, taking place on Friday in the West Midlands, will be at Birmingham's Small Heath Park and Wolverhampton's West Park, with tens of thousands of people expected across both."I think it would be an understatement to say that our hearts are with people who are suffering right now," said Haniya Aadam, from Green Lane Mosque and Community Centre (GLMCC) in Birmingham.
Eid al-Adha remembers the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and his willingness to sacrifice his son, Ishmael at God's command - although ultimately God spared him.Ms Aadam said she felt the lessons of Ibrahim were especially important at a time of conflict and division in the world."It's that obedience that Ibrahim had to God, it's that full faith and that full trust that God was going to look after him and look after his child," she explained."We can't ignore that. I don't think there's any Muslim here that's going to not be thinking about the Muslims thousands of miles away that are suffering."So having that trust in God, the way that Ibrahim did, to have a happy ending, brings hope to us."Ms Aadam said the Small Heath Park event was believed to be one of the biggest religious gatherings in Europe, with 60,000-70,000 Muslims expected to attend.She added that non-Muslims interested in Islam were encouraged to attend, with a funfair following the morning prayers which would be open to all.Worshippers were asked to arrive from 08:15 BST at the park for the Eid prayer, which will begin at 09:00 BST.
About 5,000 worshippers are expected at the event in West Park, the fifth to be held, and which is organised by Jaamia Masjid Aqsa with the event starting with speeches from 10:00 BST.Sohail Khan, councillor for Tettenhall Regis and one of the organisers, echoed Ms Aadam's sentiments."We live in a very polarised society," he said. "There's nothing better than to bring us all together under one common theme. It is Eid and it is a Muslim festival, but it's open to everybody."They don't have to partake in the religious side of it. But that's what Eid's about."It's about community."
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