Record-breaking crowds at Europe's largest Eid celebration

15 June 2018

News image — Tens of thousands of people gathered in Birmingham's Small Heath Park on Friday to mark Eid

GLMCC Crowds — Tens of thousands of people gathered in Birmingham's Small Heath Park on Friday to mark Eid

As millions of Muslims around the world celebrate Eid, Birmingham is hosting Europe's largest event with more than 140,000 people gathering in Small Heath Park.

Now in its seventh year, Celebrate Eid marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting.

The huge celebration in Birmingham is organised by Green Lane Masjid and Community Centre (GLMCC) in the city and includes global delicacies, a bazaar and a funfair.

Eid al-Fitr, which means "festival of breaking the fast", is a religious holiday and a day of celebrations when Muslims will give thanks to Allah and exchange small gifts and cards.

GLMCC The event — Eid al-Fitr is one of the most important Muslim festivals in the Islamic calendar

BBC The event — The celebration marks the end of Ramadan, which is the holy month of fasting

PA Crowds — The event has seen record-breaking crowds attending this year, up on the 106,000 last year, the GLMCC said

BBC Swedish National Nordin Tejeur, — Swedish National Nordin Tejeur, 44, who lives in Birmingham, said: “The festival is getting bigger every year”

BBC A family — Worshippers of all ages came together for morning prayers, before enjoying the festivities

BBC Food stalls — The event has fairground rides, miniature golf and laser clay pigeon shooting, as well as food and drink from local food stalls

PA The event — "This celebration is one of the most important in the Islamic religious calendar and it's an opportunity for us all to come together in peace and unity," the spokesman added

BBC Middlesbrough's Albert Park — Meanwhile, hundreds of people have gathered for the first time in Middlesbrough's Albert Park to begin Eid celebrations...

A spokesman for the Birmingham event said: "We're all overwhelmed that so many people from different faiths and from across the world have travelled to Birmingham for this year's Celebrate Eid."