Thousands of British Muslims and non-Muslims joined London Mayor Sadiq Khan at Trafalgar Square to celebrate the Festival of `Eid as part of the #LondonForEveryone program.
Performers on stage came from across the Muslim world, captivating the audience and reflecting different types of music, dance, and entertainment.
Along the edges of the Trafalgar Square were a dozen food stalls, selling everything from biryanis, spice shack , to mango lassis from Oh Babu. Participants also included organizations supporting the Muslim diaspora, from art galleries to medical and cultural organizations.
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Hassen Rasool opened the program with a recitation from the Quran, followed by the call to prayer. Performances by a Sudanese group named The Scorpios, the Grace and Poise Academy, and the Silk Road Collective followed.
Not wanting to miss out, we then had a performance from the Silk Road Collective, which included Uighur Muslims, and a cultural extravaganza showcasing Afghan culture, including a fashion show.
Celebrating Diversity
One of the guest speakers on the day included chef and entrepreneur Asma Khan, who spoke about the importance of educating girls and boys alike.
Then the mayor, Sadiq Khan took to the stage, talking about the diversity of London as reflected at various events in Trafalgar Square.
“We began Ramadan by turning on the Ramadan lights for the first time, the only city in Europe to do so. And we ended Ramadan with a crescent moon on the London Eye, celebrating `Eid in our wonderful city. Thank you for making London the greatest city in the world,” he told journalists after leaving the stage.
There were more art and performance from FaceSoul, the Khan Brothers Qawalli Group, two Indonesian groups, a rapper named MoYah, and a small parade that tried to go through the crowds but struggled as it was very busy.
In all, we saw on stage a variety of Muslim cultures from around the world representing their local traditions. With the sun shining, this was an `Eid in the Square to remember.