Birmingham Central Mosque secretary Muhammad Ali at Eid celebrations last year, with his youngest son (Photograph: Adam Yosef)
Eid festivities are to begin tomorrow, following a month-long period of fasting and devotion for many of the city’s estimated 235,000 Muslims.
Birmingham Central Mosque in Highgate had announced Eid day services for Wednesday 6th July over the weekend, while Green Lane Masjid in Small Heath confirmed the same date last night.
The Birmingham Central Mosque has announced Eid services and celebrations for Wednesday 6th July, 2016 (Photograph: Adam Yosef)
Birmingham’s Muslim community will formally begin celebrations – known as Eid al-Fitr – in the morning with open-air services in public parks and congregations within various city mosques. Prior to this, adults ensure they have each made a personal welfare contribution to the poor and needy. Eid celebrations are a time for rejoicing after 30 days of spiritual exploration during Ramadan.
Muslims across the world are expected to partake in prayer services and charity this week, as a reminder towards self-reflection and spiritual renewal. In Birmingham, celebrations will adopt a similar theme as families prepare special feasts for friends, relatives and the poor.
Special services will be lead by the city’s main Islamic houses of worship, Birmingham Central Mosque, Green Lane Masjid and the Jamia Mosque Ghamkol Sharif. The Central Mosque in Highgate will hold five separate services in three different languages, to accommodate its vast congregation of between 15,000 and 20,000 attendees.
Stall-holders outside the Birmingham Central Mosque sell sweets, perfumes and Islamic gifts during Eid (Photograph: Adam Yosef)
Worshippers celebrate Eid at the Birmingham Central Mosque in Birmingham (Photograph: Adam Yosef)
The Green Lane Masjid, situated in Small Heath, is once again opting for a public service in Small Heath Park, located on Coventry Road. The mass service will be attended by men, women, families and children as prayers, amusement rides, food and festivities also take place on the site.
Announcing the news, Green Lane Masjid stated: “Birmingham City Council have given Green Lane Masjid permission to hold the Eid Prayer in Small Heath Park. Please arrive at 8.00am & the prayer will begin at 9:00am inshaAllah. There will only be ONE JAMAAT. Please park considerately & waterproof mats will cover the prayer area.”
The Green Lane Masjid in Birmingham has announced Eid services to take place in Small Heath Park on Wednesday 6th July (Image: GLM)
The majority of Muslims in Birmingham observed the start of the Eid holiday on Saturday, including the congregations at the city’s premier Birmingham Central Mosque in Highgate; and the Green Lane Masjid in Small Heath.
The Birmingham Central Mosque has announced Eid to take place on Wednesday 6th July (Image: BCM)
Eid festivities will be taking place in Small Heath Park alongside prayer services, as part of events organised by Green Lane Masjid (Image: GLM)
With Tuesday 5th July being confirmed as the final day of fasting for Ramadan, some Muslims will gather tonight to mark Chaand Raat (Night of the Moon), largely celebrated by Muslims of south Asian heritage.
Charity Penny Appeal will be holding activities and celebrations at their new shop in Ladypool Road from 6pm, in aid of Syrian refugees.
Eid eve celebrations are commonly known as ‘Chaand Raat’ and most predominantly celebrated by Muslims of south Asian heritage (Image: Penny Appeal)
According to the 2011 Census, around 22% of the population of Birmingham identifies themselves as Muslim.
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