Muslims gather to attend prayers in parks across the UK to celebrate Eid al Adha
Muslims gathered in parks across the UK to celebrate Eid al-Adha, also known as ‘Eid al-Adha’.
Hundreds of Muslims attended prayers in fields across England to mark the second day of Eid al-Adha this year, which started on Tuesday evening and runs for three days until Saturday.
It is one of the two most important festivals in the Islamic calendar and an important cultural event for approximately four million Muslims in the UK.
Eid al-Adha follows the end of the annual Hajj period and commemorates the Prophet Muhammad. It reflects the legacy of Abraham and his obedience to God.
Muslims around the world take part in the sacrificial ceremony following Eid prayers, traditionally involving the sacrifice of cattle.
British Muslims do not sacrifice themselves due to UK law; instead they adapt the practice by often appointing an Islamic charity as their representative, including Muslim Aid or Islamic Aid UK.
British Muslims donate to charities, which in turn buy animals and sacrifice in countries experiencing poverty or conflict.
Alternatively, they use halal butchers to ensure the slaughter is done locally at accredited abattoirs in the UK and then distributed to food banks or homeless shelters across the country.
Hundreds of Muslims attended the Eid al-Adha prayer in Manchester today. Image: Drone view of Platt Fields Park
A crowd gathered in south-east London to celebrate the festival on the hottest May day on record yesterday
On the second day of the celebrations, a couple posed in their stylish clothes in London
The festival begins with the Prophet Muhammad, before God provides a ram in his place. It commemorates Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael out of obedience to God.
The event follows the Islamic lunar calendar, meaning the exact date it is held changes each year. Eid al-Adha is celebrated on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic year.
For most Muslims, the day of Eid-al-Adha usually begins with a ghusl (cleansing bath or shower), followed by dressing in their finest clothes.
Faithful Muslims then attend private mass prayers at local mosques or large open-air parks, as seen in Manchester’s Platt Fields Park this afternoon.
A central element of the festival is Sacrifice, the ritual sacrifice of farm animals such as sheep or lambs.
In the UK this can only be carried out in official, accredited slaughterhouses. The meat will then be divided into three equal portions; one for family, one for relatives and friends, and one for the poor and needy.
The rest of the festival will be spent visiting friends and family, exchanging gifts for Muslim children, and enjoying large Eid meals.
Greetings ‘Happy Eid al-Adha’ (meaning ‘Happy Eid al-Adha’) are frequently shared.
In America, New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani joined his Muslim brothers praying in the Bronx district
Aerial photo of Muslims praying on a football field in the Netherlands
Amid a surge in Ebola cases, Muslim worshipers in Uganda head to the National Mosque; Some took precautions with face masks
More than 1.7 million Muslims completed the pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, this year
Large celebrations are generally held in areas with a large Muslim population, such as London, Birmingham, Manchester, Bradford, Luton and Blackburn.
Local communities often hold large-scale outdoor festivals, food markets and family gatherings.
While the celebrations continue throughout this week from Tuesday, May 26th to Saturday, May 30th, Eid al-Adha is celebrated today, Wednesday, May 27th.
Scenes of celebration and community have been photographed all over the world, from New York City to Sierra Leone.
In America, New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani prayed with his Muslim brothers at Macombs Dam Park in the Bronx Borough on Tuesday.
In the Netherlands, Muslim worshipers gathered at the football field in Alphen ann den Rijn on Wednesday.
Following a surge in Ebola cases, Muslims in Uganda flocked to the National Mosque to pray, some taking precautions by wearing face masks.
More than 1.7 million Muslims completed the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
The holiest day of the Islamic year is the Day of Arafa, celebrated one day before Eid al-Adha.
