Thousands attend Europe's biggest Eid celebration

Thousands of people descended on a Birmingham park for what has become the biggest Eid celebration in Europe.

Roads around Small Heath Park were packed as Muslims came from all over the Midlands to pray together.

The festival marks the ends a month of fasting for Ramadan and is a time of togetherness, celebration and community for Muslims worldwide.

Last March marked the first time in three years that the event could be held outdoors after rain washed out celebrations in 2023 and 2024. And Friday's weather brought out huge crowds.

Eid al-Fitr, which means "the festival of the breaking of the fast", begins when a new moon is sighted in the evening sky.

The celebration is a time of reflection and unity, where families and friends get together to share meals and exchange gifts.

The Birmingham festivities have been organised by Green Lane Masjid and Community Centre.

Worshippers brought their own prayer mats, chairs and water.

A funfair will run until 21:00 GMT offering entertainment for families after prayers.

The lead up to Eid has seen a month of community activity, including free daily iftar meals and support for hospital patients and families.

Kasim Choudhry, 36, from Edgbaston, Birmingham, said he had been sharing evening meals with neighbours of all backgrounds and all cultures, during the past 30 days, where Muslims have been fasting from food and drink during daylight hours.

For many years, his family have been handing out food they eat during Iftar, such as kebabs, samosas and pakoras, with people who live nearby.

"It brings everyone together," he said. "It kind of breaks down that barrier that we're just normal people, just like you, and it builds that relationship."

Choudhry, who has lived in the leafy surbub of Edgbaston all his life, spoke of how his family had invited over neighbours, of all faiths and none, to hand out food on Eid in the past.

Eid as a word, just meant "celebration" and was for everyone, he added.

During the festival, he also sends traditional snacks or sweet treats to his office and to his son's school for all the teachers as a thank you.

Sharing food with others has also helped to take away the "mystique" that others may associate with Muslims, he said.

"I think the other thing is, is when you're going round to give the food to your neighbours, it's an opportunity to sort of knock on the door and talk to them - whereas you wouldn't normally have an excuse unless you're a nosey neighbour knocking on the neighbours' doors.

"They might have slightly different cultural practices, but ultimately things like food is what brings people together."