St Albans Muslims celebrate end of Ramadan with Eid Festival in park

Hundreds of people gathered in a park to mark the end of Ramadan, the Islamic month in which Muslims observe daily fasts.

Around 800 people took part in the Eid in the Park festival held at Verulamium Park in St Albans to which Muslims of various backgrounds travelled from all over Herts. Sopwell Community Trust had set up two marquees in the park with ample space for the special Eid prayer which was led by a local Iman.

Non-Muslims were welcome at the event and there were display boards around the park which provided information about Ramadan and Eid.

Event manager, Samir Khan said: “Getting the wider community involved was something the council were keen on this year.

“From last year it has doubled in size and we learnt an awful lot; the turnout for the ladies and children were more than expected and we accommodated it this year by getting a bigger space.”

He explained that the Eid prayer was meant to be observed in an open field, away from the mosque, ‘so we kind of continued that tradition’.

One attendee, Amina Hatia, said: “The Eid prayer at the park was a wonderful, uplifting, inclusive event. As we were walking towards the tent, we were greeted with smiles and hellos from strangers and users of Westminster Lodge.”

She added, “After the prayer, the festival atmosphere continued. Everyone mingled outside and the children were given fantastic Eid sweet cones by Sopwell Community Trust.”