Muslims around the UK are celebrating Eid al-Adha this week with some of the biggest events attracting vast crowds and offering plenty of family fun.
Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of the Sacrifice, is the second major Muslim festival in the Islamic calendar after Eid al-Fitr which marks the end of Ramadan - the month of fasting.
This year Eid al-Adha will run from Wednesday, June 28 until Sunday, July 2. It varies according to moon sightings in different parts of the world.
Muslims celebrate Eid ul-Adha on the final day of the Hajj which is the pilgrimage to Mecca or Makkah in Saudi Arabia.
This pilgrimage takes place every year and all Muslims who are physically able to do so should visit Mecca at least once in their lives.
During the Hajj, people carry out acts of worship and stand before the Ka’bah, a shrine built by Ibrahim and praise Allah together.
We take a look here at some of the biggest events taking place.
London
1Eid Festival 2023 is an initiative created in 2007 to bring together generations, cultures and communities to celebrate Eid.
This year, the festival will take place across five different locations, with Eid Salah for men and women at 10am, an extensive range of activities throughout the day like petting zoos, donkey rides, circus performers, nasheed groups and fire jugglers, all finishing off with giant fireworks show.
It is being held at Southall Park, Goodmayes Park, Harrow Kenton Recreation Field, Luton Stockwood and Wardown Park
Eid in the Park with Annoor is a massive celebration happening over five days with prayers at 10am every day.
Following that there is a funfair and bazaar with food, face painting, bouncy castles, rides, and more. It is held at Acton Park, The Vale, London from Wednesday, June 28 to Sunday, July 2, starting at 10am and running until 9pm.
The Midlands
There are a number of different Eid Melas and outdoor fairs taking place this week as Birmingham Muslims celebrate.
Green Lane Masjid & Community Centre are holding the huge Eid in the Park at Small Heath Park, Birmingham on June 28, which includes prayers as well as a funfair on site for children and families to enjoy.
In Coventry the Iqra Centre will be celebrating Eid-ul-Adha on Thursday June 29 at War Memorial Park hosted by Mufti Usman Qureshi. There will be a speech from him at 9.30am, with Eid prayer at 10am at the location on Kenilworth Road.
The entrance and exit for cars will be from the Leamington Road car park. Visitors who attend are advised to follow instructions from the marshals regarding the route into the car park. Cars will need to leave within the same allocated time slot after the event.
Greater Manchester
Manchester Central Mosque announced it will be celebrating Eid al-Adha on Thursday, June 29. A series of special prayers will take place throughout the morning at 7am,8am,9am,10am, and 11am.
Didsbury Mosque will be hosting its Eid prayers on Wednesday, June 29 with the first prayer taking place at 7am and the sermon being spoken in Arabic. A second prayer will take place at 8am with an English sermon while the third prayer at 8am will be in Arabic.
The fourth and fifth prayers of the morning will take place at 10am and 11am and will both have sermons in English.
Rochdale Central Mosque will be hosting Eid prayers on Thursday, June 29 with the first prayers taking place at 5.30am for men only and a second one at 9am for all genders. Prayers will also take place at Springfield Park, Rochdale at 8.30am.
However, if the weather is not suitable for the outside prayers, then they will instead take place in Central Masjid, Darul ILM at 8am and Ashfield Road at 8.30am.
The annual Eid In The Park celebration at Platt Fields Park, Fallowfield, will take place on June 28. The prayer, which is expected to gather thousands of attendees, will take place at 9.30am.
After the prayer has concluded, there will be a funfair which includes games and stalls for all famillies.
Edinburgh
Muslims in the Scottish capital had prayers on Wednesday morning at the Edinburgh Central Mosque and a public Eid prayer at 10am in Inverleith Park.
From 10.45am until 3pm there is a community celebration with “snacks, refreshments, entertainment and ice cream”.
Glasgow
Prayers are being held at the Glasgow Central Mosque to mark Eid ul-Adha with large numbers of Muslims expected before the celebrations begin.
Cardiff
A “Community Eid Prayer” is being held by the East Cardiff Muslim Centre with families and children welcome.
It is taking place at the Pentwyn Leisure Centre, in Pentwyn with prayers throughout the morning.
