Preparations underway for biggest Eid celebrations in Europe

Preparations are well underway in Birmingham where the biggest Eid celebration in Europe will take place in Small Heath. Around 150,000 people are expected to attend.

Eid-ul-Fitr marks the end of a month of fasting and is expected to fall on either Friday 15th of June or Saturday 16th June. This depends on the sighting of the moon.

The three-day celebration is known as the “festival of breaking fast” and marks the end of the month of fasting. Many Muslims across the world start celebrations by taking part in prayers that take place in the morning, shortly after dawn.

The Eid gathering in Birmingham had humble beginnings. In its first year in 2012, 11,000 people attended prayers in Sarah Park in Small Heath. That number grew to 65,000 in 2015 and just over 100,000 last year. Project Director, Amer Ijaz says Celebrate Eid started as a way to revive tradition and gather for Eid prayers outdoors. It is has now been running for six years.