For the first time in three years, thousands of Muslims gathered at Small Heath Park in Birmingham to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan. After unfavorable weather conditions in 2023 and 2024 prevented the event from taking place, this year’s celebration brought an even greater sense of community spirit.
A Joyous Return to Tradition
Eid al-Fitr, also known as the Festival of Breaking the Fast, is a significant occasion for Muslims worldwide. It marks the conclusion of Ramadan, a month of fasting, prayer, and spiritual reflection. Green Lane Mosque, the organizer of the event, emphasized how special this year’s gathering was after the long hiatus.
Sidrah Awan, the mosque’s head of welfare, highlighted the strong community bond that had been evident throughout Ramadan, noting that hundreds of people had also broken their fast at the mosque in the preceding weeks.
“That community spirit was present throughout Ramadan, and people were incredibly happy to give back and help those who are harder to reach,” Awan said.
The Atmosphere of Unity and Celebration
Attendees shared their excitement about being able to celebrate together again in such a large public gathering. Aqsa Nasar, one of the many attendees, described the experience as surreal and beautiful.
“When you see people coming together, it is such an unreal and beautiful feeling. Everyone should visit and experience this,” she said. “We celebrate Eid twice a year, and it’s always special.”\
For many, the event was also a cherished family reunion. A family group of Moroccan and Bangladeshi heritage traveled from various parts of the country to be together.
“I’ve come all the way from London to meet my sister Rashida, who lives here in Smethwick,” said Chaymae, a visitor to the park. “We come here every year, same park, same place, and we love it. The atmosphere is amazing.”
The past two years saw the cancellation of Birmingham’s large Eid gatherings due to unpredictable weather conditions. In April last year, Green Lane Mosque announced the difficult decision not to hold mass Eid prayers at Small Heath Park or Edgbaston Cricket Ground, opting instead for mosque-based prayers.
This year, the event’s return brought excitement and some relief among worshippers who had eagerly anticipated the outdoor prayers.
“I was checking this morning to make sure it’s still going ahead,” said Rashida, one of the attendees. “I saw the weather was fine, and I was so happy it wasn’t raining.”
Among those attending was Akram Atmani, who expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to pray alongside thousands of fellow worshippers.
“There is a great sense of community,” he said. “Seeing so many people gathered together is amazing, and we’re grateful to have the park for this occasion.”
The Spiritual Significance of Outdoor Prayer
Haniya Aadam, head of PR at Green Lane Mosque, emphasized the spiritual significance of praying in the open air.
“There’s a verse in the Quran that says, ‘When you look up to the sky, do you see my signs?’” she shared. “Praying outside allows us to feel that much closer to God.”
Praise from the Community and Local Leaders
West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker attended the event and described it as a fantastic celebration Eid. He commended Green Lane Mosque, the local police, and the city council for their efforts in organizing such a large-scale gathering smoothly.
The event drew families from various backgrounds, including Isra and Ahmed, an Egyptian couple who attended with their young children.
For many, the return of Birmingham’s Eid gathering reaffirmed a sense of unity, faith, and cultural pride. After years of disrupted celebrations, this year’s event was a powerful reminder of the joy and strength found in community traditions.
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