MORE than 1,000 people attended Warrington’s Victoria Park on Bank Holiday Monday (May 2) to celebrate the festival of Eid al-Fitr.
Eid – as it is more commonly known – is a hugely important religious holiday in the Muslim calendar. This year’s celebrations marked the first without Covid restrictions since the start of the pandemic. Worshippers gathered at Victoria Park – joining millions around the world – to observe morning prayers.
Eid takes place at the end of Ramadan, a holy month of prayer and fasting when Muslims abstain from eating and drinking during daylight hours.
One of the organisers of the event was Warrington Borough Council Cllr Mo Hussain, ward councillor for Great Sankey South and Secretary of Warrington Ethnic Communities Association, said: “It was fantastic to welcome so many people to Victoria Park for the Eid celebrations, marking the end of Ramadan.
“During the pandemic, we have been unable to meet family and loved ones for cultural and religious events, so to finally be able to come together to celebrate this important holiday means so much to the whole community. Seeing Victoria Park alive with more than 1,000 worshippers – after such a difficult two years – was absolutely wonderful, and made for a very special day.”
Cllr Sagheer Zaman, ward councillor for Fairfield and Howley, who also helped organise the event, added: “I was delighted that our communities were able to come together to celebrate this hugely significant religious holiday.
“Eid brings to an end a time of hardship through fasting and gives us the opportunity to remember all those who continue to suffer hardship in their lives. It was very special to join with so many Muslims and people of other faiths at Victoria Park, for outdoor prayer and celebration.”
