Today marks the Jewish holiday of Purim and will see members of the community gather at synagogues all across the country.
In the Jewish calendar, Purim is celebrated on the 14th day of the month of Adar which commonly falls either in February or March. It's important to note that if Purim falls on the Sabbath, then communities will move celebrations to a different day, however, this is not the case this year.
Purim is a very special occasion in the Jewish community as it provides time to remember the survival of the community more than 2,000 years ago from a sinister plot. You may also see many members of the Jewish community dressed up in bright and extravagant costumes today.
We've broken down the story behind Purim and why the Jewish community celebrates it today.
Why is Purim celebrated?
The history of Purim can be found in the Book of Esther, often referred to as the Megillah, in the Hebrew Bible. It relates the story of Haman, a chief political figure under the reign of the Persian king Ahasuerus in the 5th century BCE.
Haman held disdain for the Jewish community under Persian rule and attempted to convince the king that they were rebellious and should be killed - the date for this mass execution was the 13th day of Adar. One of those marked for death was Mordecai, the adopted father of the Jewish queen Esther.
Upon hearing of the possible killings, Esther went to the Persian king to propose a banquet that Haman would attend. During the banquet, she pleaded on behalf of the Jewish people and accused Haman of being wicked.
The king later came upon Haman begging for mercy from the queen, which he mistook as an attack - because of this the king ordered Haman's execution and Mordecai to take his place, resulting in the Jewish community gaining royal permission to attack their enemies. Following a great victory, the Jewish people declared the following day to be a holiday, known as Purim.
How do people celebrate Purim in the UK?
Jewish communities will often gather in synagogues to listen to a recitation of the Megillah. Many attendants, especially children, are often found dressed in colourful costumes and masks to represent different characters from the story.
Some may also choose to exchange gift baskets, known as 'mishloach manot', which can include food and drinks to ensure that everyone has enough to eat and drink at the Purim feast. Others may also choose Purim as a day to donate to charity for the year.
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