LONDON – Majority of British Muslims celebrated `Eid Al-Adha on Tuesday, August 21, as mosques across the country opened their doors from early morning with hourly prayers to accommodate the masses.
But, outside of the mosques, another tradition was revived, i.e. outdoor celebrations with festivals and funfairs, inspired by the “1Eid initiative.”
Led by British Muslim architect now graphic designer Momtahena Jaigirdar, known by her nickname, Umm Jannah, the main festival was held at Goodmayes Park in a suburb of London.
Speaking of the journey and experience Umm Jannah says,
“We’re going to use our festival as a common ground, to not only teach our neighbors about Islam and who we are, but also teach our own community about how to be cohesive, how to be accepting, and how to invite people to get to know you: this was a problem as people were staying in their mosques and they (the community) were keeping to themselves,” she told AboutIslam.net.
“We educated our community, it was a lot of hard work. We campaigned with all of the mosques and convinced (some of) them to take the prayer outside.
“We had a lot of obstacles. We have a lot of people saying that they were not interested in supporting us. A lot of mosques did not believe that women should be a part of it (the celebrations). They didn’t want to be outside the mosque as they didn’t want to lose collections. What if it rained (they asked). There were so many excuses, but we didn’t accept any of them. So we went ahead without the support of local mosques and we did it ourselves.
Umm Jannah, the festival main organizer
“My main motivation is that I am born and brought up here, my children are born and brought up here, and I want to live in a society where I am a part of it. I don’t want to be someone who is alien to this society. And the only way I can do that if I do things like this.
“I’m a woman. I wear a hijab. Half the world thinks I’m oppressed. They wouldn’t think that someone like me could run and manage something like this. They would not believe that I would be allowed to do something like this. But here I am at the forefront, managing our community. This motivates me. I want to set the standard for other Muslim women.
The prayer was led by Imam Bilal, who said, “Every practice of our faith has benefits. They are social benefits. Psychological benefits. Financial benefits. Community cohesion benefits.”
Speaking about the celebration, he added, “`Eid means an occasion of happiness. Also the literal word means something that is repeated… Prophet Muhammad [peace be upon him] said, “Nobody can be a true believer until even their desires are subject to what I have brought.”
Other speakers on the day included a local community officer from the Borough of Redbridge, Yusuf, who spoke briefly saying, “This is a festival for all. This is an idea that celebrations can challenge prejudice. We know about Hannukah, we know about Christmas, we know about Diwali, but how many of our friends and neighbors, how many of our community know what Eid is?“
For other British Muslims, Eid takes place on Wednesday 22nd. This includes mosques such as the nation’s oldest in Woking.
Once again British Muslims are torn between following the practice of Arabia, following the moon, or following the practice of a foreign nation to which the imam of the respective mosque is attached to.
In their video, the New Crescent Society shows the scientific evidence demonstrating that why `Eid in the UK falls on Wednesday, not Tuesday. They even cite how in history sometimes `Eid was celebrated in Makkah and Madinah on different days.
00:41 – Chapter 1: The Darkside of the Moon
04:32 – Chapter 2: Saudi Sighting VS Local Reports
05:58 – Chapter 3: The Phantom Moon
12:22 – Chapter 4: Towards a United Eid in the UK?
Whenever you celebrate, do so with love, kindness, and happiness. A few messages from British Muslims celebrating:
Atiyah M:
`Eid Mubarak one and all. My baby boy’s first Eid ?.
Ishfaq A:
`Eid days are meant to celebrate
the goals and the achievements
that make you happiest.
The ideals you believe in,
the dream you love the best.
Eid Mubarak
Bushera C:
`Eid Mubarak everyone & Hajj Mubarak to all the Hajji’s ? peace & love to all
Mohammad I:
May Almighty Allah shower his innumerous blessings upon you and your family on this special occasion of `Eid Al-Adha.
I pray for your health, Job, prosperity, friendship, peace, health and Imman.
Akeela A:
`Eid Mubarak friends! Hope this blessed occasion brings you love, hope, and prosperity.
Aina K:
Lovely surprise! We dropped in for `Eid lunch and were given such a warm welcome. Delicious, authentic, fresh Lamb Sarma Beyti kebab and Hot Meze. The bread, salad etc are lovely – and free. Plus the portions are huge. We will be back for the Sunday Brunch for £9.99 each – can’t wait to try the rest of the menu. Thanks to the manager Ali and his lovely team.
Rizwan K:
`Eid Mubarak. Enjoy the blessing of this great day 🙂
Julie S:
Sending `Eid blessings to you all today, also the day our first born turns 21. Seen here strangling Eesa! On Eid Ul Adha in 2003, my dear father in law passed away. Last night we went to have birthday cake with my dear mum, Nanny, who has been in the hospital for 9 weeks following chemo that had the most adverse side effects. So many mixed emotions, lots of food for thought, much to be thankful for ?? Naved S
Zareen Q:
`EID MUBARAK to all my friends and family around the world, and Hajj Mubarak also to those fortunate enough to have performed it this year. ? ??? Wishing you a blessed day full of love and togetherness. Let the feasting begin! ??????
Shaheena K:
Huge congratulations to Kingston Muslim Association for organizing an amazing Eid Funday for all the family. So proud to be part of such a diverse and generous community. Hope you are all enjoying the celebrations. `EID MUBARAK!
Sarah Aleem:
`Eid Mubarak to all friends and family!
May Allah bless us all on this auspicious occasion of Hajj
Ameen.
Shehleena A:
Wherever you are in the world those who are celebrating today, I wish you and your families a very happy & peaceful `Eid.
Farhana K:
`Eid Mubarak from me and my family to you and yours. Have a blessed day.
Usama H:
`Eid Mubarak! Wishing you all the blessings of Hajj &`Eid. ` Eid prayers with the worshippers, trees, flowers & concrete at the Regent’s Park Mosque
Zahra A:
This morning at `Eid prayer I was glad to hear about the sacrifice of Ismail by his father Ibrahim, yet it was all in Arabic and 90% or more couldn’t understand it. Also, there was a deafening silence on our grandmother Hajar and her role in Islam and Hajj because without her neither would exist. Yes, you heard me right.
Sarmin H:
Want to wish everyone celebrating or if not still a very happy `Eid Day. May you and your families be blessed with happiness and good health. `Eid Mubarak
Yasmeen F:
For those celebrating, `Eid Mubarak from our family to yours! May you have a blessed day.