Blackburn Rovers become first football club to host Eid prayers

  • Report by Granada Reports correspondent Paul Crone.

Blackburn Rovers has become the first football club in the country to host a mass prayer meeting marking the end of Ramadan.

More than 1,500 people - both men and women - took to the pitch at Ewood Park with their prayer mats to celebrate Eid.

Worshippers arrived at the stadium shortly after 8.30am, with extra plastic sheeting needing to be put in place to accommodate numbers.

Yasir Sufi, Development Manager at Blackburn Rovers FC, said: "We are big believers that we are one town, one club, one community.

"If there's ever an event that we've done that signifies that, I think this definitely is it."

‘Eid Prayers@Ewood Park’ on Monday 2 May was open to all families, with provisions in place for both men and women to pray on the pitch.

Those attending were asked to bring their own prayer mat with them, with prayers led by Sheikh Wasim Kempson.

"The doors of football stadiums are gradually being opened to different types of audiences," he said.

"To the extent that the stadium is not just a place for a pitch for people to play football, but there are local communities, using this place for their own kind of religions activities."

It is the first time an English football club has hosted such an event.

Registered volunteers were on hand to help anyone wishing to make the traditional Fitrana/Sadaqatul Fitr charitable donations.

A traditional milk drink was also provided after the event.

More than 1,500 people attended prayers to mark the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

Complimentary bus transport from Corporation Park and Audley Sports Centre was also laid on to help those wanting to attend the event.

The Eid prayers at Ewood come only a few days after Rovers won an EFL Diversity Award for their efforts in providing equal opportunities for young people to experience live football.

  • Yasir Sufi, Development Manager at Blackburn Rovers FC, explains why the club hosted the event.

The annual Eid in the Park festival will be held at Corporation Park on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 May, when Blackburn Rovers and Blackburn Rovers Community Trust staff will once again be in attendance.