Expecting heavy rain and wind on Sunday, massive celebrations at Birmingham’s Small Heath Park have been canceled due to safety concerns, Birmingham Mail reported.
“After a weather inspection, it has been decided that it will not be safe to hold `Eid in the park on Sunday 11th August due to the rain and winds,” organizers announcement said.
“We repeat, Eid prayer will NOT be held at Small Heath Park on Sunday 11th August.
“The Eid prayer will be held at Green Lane Masjid and other local partner masajid instead.”
The `Eid prayer event, hosted by Green Lane Masjid and Community Centre, is now in its eighth year and has seen growing numbers since 2012, where 12,000 people attended.
Last year, 140,000 people attended the event, according to organizers, who expected a similarly huge turn-out today.
`Eid Al-Adha, or “Feast of Sacrifice”, is one of the two most important Islamic celebrations, together with `Eid Al-Fitr.
It begins with special prayers to mark the day, Muslims then offer udhiyah, a ritual that commemorates the great act of sacrifice Prophet Ibrahim and his son Isma`eel were willing to make for the sake of Allah.