Eid in the Square

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Eid in the Square
London June 8 2019 (76) Eid Trafalgar Square Mayor Sadiq Khan (48026096301).jpg
London Mayor, Sadiq Khan, at Eid in the Square in June 2019
StatusActive
Genre Festival
Date(s)First Saturday after Eid al-Fitr
FrequencyAnnually
Venue Trafalgar Square
Location(s) Westminster, London, England
Country United Kingdom
Years active2006–present
Inaugurated2006
Most recent2023
Next event2024
Attendance25,000
Organised byMayor's Office and Eid Committee

Eid in the Square is an annual Muslim festival held the first Saturday after the Islamic religious holiday of Eid al-Fitr at Trafalgar Square in Westminster, London, England. The event has grown to become one of the key cultural highlights of London's events calendar and sees attendances of over 25,000.

Contents

Premise

Eid in the Park is a free event/ [1] [2] festival for people of all faiths [3] [4] inaugurated in 2006 and hosted by the Mayor of London on the first Saturday after the Islamic religious holiday of Eid al-Fitr which marks and celebrates the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan at the Trafalgar Square in Westminster, London, England [5] [6] from 12 noon to 6 pm. [3] [4] [7]

The first event took place on Saturday 28 October 2006 from 1 pm to 5 pm, [8] and was organised by the Muslim Council of Britain and the Mayor of London Ken Livingstone. [9] [10] The event is now organised by the Mayor of London [1] [2] with the support of the Eid Committee [11] (a voluntary organisation [12] [13] which represents various Muslim community groups and organisations in London), [1] [2] Lycamobile and the official media partner for the event is Zee TV. [14] Partners of the festival have included the Muslim Council of Britain, Transport for London, Muslim Aid, Islamic Relief, [15] Islam Channel [16] and UNISON. [17]

The event has grown to become one of the key cultural highlights of London's events calendar and sees crowds of over 25,000 attending. [14]

In 2006, Ken Livingstone, the Mayor of London said: "Eid ul-fitr is the most auspicious day of the Muslim calendar. It is a day of great joy and serves as a reminder to people of all faiths of the importance of peace, compassion, unity and charity..." [8] In 2007, Livingston insisted that "Eid celebrations in Trafalgar Square provide an opportunity for Muslims and non-Muslims to "unite and experience the cultural richness and diversity of Islam." In 2007, Muslim Council of Britain Secretary General Dr Muhammad Abdul Bari said, "Muslim Londoners are rightly proud of London's success story and long may it continue." [16] In 2013, Mayor of London Boris Johnson said, "...I hope that Londoners from all communities will take the opportunity to join our festivities in Trafalgar Square." [12] In 2014, he described the event as "a chance to join together and rejoice in the global diversity of the capital. Eid Mubarak!" [1]

In 2013, Neeraj Dhingra, CEO of Zee Network Europe said: "Multiculturalism is what London stands for and at the heart of all our entertainment across Zee Network channels..." Lebara Mobile's UK managing director, Justin Cockerill, said: "We are delighted to be associated with the Mayor's Eid Festival taking place in Trafalgar Square, London..." [18]

Features

Eid in the Square has become an anticipated fixture in London's events calendar, attracting large crowds. The free event includes a variety of diverse performances that reflect the diversity, culture and languages of the varied Muslim communities in London. It is an open invitation to everyone in the city – Muslim and non-Muslim alike - to experience Islamic heritage. [11]

It includes Qu'ran recitations, call to prayer, souks, bazaars, market stalls, poetry and music performances and celebrity guest appearances. [3] [4] The main stage features live folk music, rock bands, a children's choir, theatrical performances, [11] speeches, interactive workshops and video shows. [16]

The exhibition area organised by the Eid Committee includes theatre, live entertainment, live music, performances, exhibits, calligraphy, mosque architecture, Islamic art [14] and food stalls. [19] There is exhibitions of art and culture including, [11] arts and crafts, [14] exhibitions and displays about Islam, [19] entertainers, [14] storytellers [20] calligraphy, henna, face painting, [14] stalls selling souvenirs, [11] plus a global food festival outlets serving cuisines from across the Islamic world including; Turkish, Egyptian, Indonesian, Lebanese and Moroccan, [1] [5] Malaysian, South Asian, Arabic and more. [21] There are performances in different languages; French, Arabic, English, Urdu, Spanish and many more. Performers and artists come from various countries and backgrounds including Pakistan, London, North Africa, Somalia, Egypt, Venezuela and the Middle East. [14]

Square event Eid Festival housed many stalls that's includes cultural stalls from different parts of the world, food stalls, face painting, clothes, jewellery, calligraphy and art stalls. Beside these many NGOs, British Heat Foundation and other social communities display their stalls too. Eid in the square event were attended by number of participants. [22]

It also brings together musicians and performers, from UK and abroad, both traditional and modern, [23] showcasing Nasheed artists singing in many languages, including Arabic, Turkish and English. [11]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eid al-Fitr</span> Islamic holiday at the end of Ramadan, first day of Shawwal

Eid al-Fitr is the earlier of the two official holidays celebrated within Islam. Eid al-Fitr is celebrated by Muslims worldwide because it marks the end of the month-long dawn-to-sunset fasting of Ramadan. Eid al-Fitr falls on the first day of Shawwal in the Islamic calendar; this does not always fall on the same Gregorian day, as the start of any lunar Hijri month varies based on when the new moon is sighted by local religious authorities. The holiday is known under various other names in different languages and countries around the world. The day is also called "Lesser Eid", or simply Eid.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eid al-Adha</span> Islamic holiday on the tenth day of Dhu al-Hijjah

Eid al-Adha or the Feast of Sacrifice is the second of the two main holidays celebrated in Islam. In Islamic custom, it honours the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son, Ishmael, or Isaac, as an act of obedience to God's command. However, before Abraham could sacrifice his son in the name of God, and because of his willingness to do so, God provided him with a lamb to sacrifice in his son's place. In commemoration of this intervention, animals such as lambs are sacrificed. The meat of the sacrificed animal is divided into three portions: one part of the meat is consumed by the family that offers the animal, one portion is for friends and relatives, while the rest of the meat is distributed to the poor and the needy. Sweets and gifts are given, and extended family members typically visit and are welcomed. The day is also sometimes called the "Greater Eid".

Bangladesh has numerous public holidays, including national memorial, religious and secular holidays of Bengali origin. The Bengali traditional calendar, known as Baṅgābda is the national and official calendar in Bangladesh. The holidays are celebrated according to Bengali, Islamic or Gregorian calendars for religious and civil purposes, respectively. Religious festivals like Eid are celebrated according to the Islamic calendar whereas other national holidays are celebrated according to the Bengali and Gregorian calendar. While the Islamic calendar is based on the movement of the moon, it loses synchronization with the seasons, through seasonal drift. Therefore, some public holidays are subject to change every year based on the lunar calendar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chaand Raat</span> The eve of Eid ul-Fitr

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shawwal</span> Tenth month of the Islamic calendar

Shawwal is the tenth month of the lunar based Islamic calendar. Shawwāl stems from the verb shāla (شَالَ) which means to 'lift or carry', generally to take or move things from one place to another, so named because a female camel normally would be carrying a fetus at this time of year.

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There are two official holidays in Islam that are celebrated by Muslims worldwide: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. The timing of both holidays are set by the lunar Islamic calendar, which is based upon the cycle of the moon, and so is different from the more common, European, solar-based Gregorian calendar. Every year, the Gregorian dates of the Islamic holidays change.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jumu'atul-Wida</span> Last Friday in the month of Ramadan before Eid-al-Fitr

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<i>Lebaran</i> Indonesian term for Islamic holidays

Lebaran is the Indonesian popular name for two Islamic official holidays, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha in Indonesia, and is one of the major national holidays in the country. Lebaran holiday officially lasts for two days in the Indonesian calendar, although the government usually declares a few days before and after the Lebaran as a bank holiday. Many individuals or families, especially Muslims take paid time off from their workplace during these days.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">O Mon Romzaner Oi Rozar Sheshe</span> Song

O Môn Rômzaner Oi Rozar Sheshe Elo Khushir Eid is the most notable Bengali Eid-ul-Fitr song, written by Kazi Nazrul Islam, the national poet of Bangladesh. It is a very common tune heard in Bengali households around the world. The song was written and composed at the request of Nazrul's disciple, Abbasuddin Ahmed in 1931. It has been covered by many artists around the world. The song is written on the end of the period of fasting and the Bengali celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr. This was regarded by his contemporaries as a significant achievement, as Bengali Muslims had been strongly averse to devotional music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kahk</span> Small circular biscuit that originated in Egypt

Kahk or Kahk el-Eid, is a small circular biscuit that originated in Egypt and is eaten across the Arab world to celebrate Eid al-Fitr. It is covered with powdered sugar and can be stuffed with ʿagameyya, lokum, walnuts, pistachios, or dates, or simply served plain. Date-filled kahk are believed to be the origin of maamoul, a similar Eid biscuit eaten in the Levant. This dish also popular in Indonesia and called as kue kaak as result of acculturation between Arabs and Indonesian. Usually served during Mawlid or Eid ul-Fitr.

References

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  2. 1 2 3 "Eid celebrations in Trafalgar Square". Western Telegraph. 2 August 2013. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
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  5. 1 2 "Thousands Celebrate Eid In Trafalgar Square". The Asians. 4 August 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  6. ↑ "Eid in the Square". Time Out. 11 October 2008. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  7. ↑ Habriri, Najlaa (4 August 2014). "A Celebration of Eid in Trafalgar Square". Asharq Al-Awsat. Archived from the original on 1 November 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  8. 1 2 "Eid celebrations in Trafalgar Square". Asian Image. 14 October 2006. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  9. ↑ "Eid-ul Fitr celebration take place in Trafalgar Square". BBC News. 24 October 2006. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  10. ↑ Thorpe, Vanessa (29 October 2006). "Square dance marks the end of Ramadan". The Guardian . Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Eid celebrations in Trafalgar Square". Asian Image. 30 August 2011. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  12. 1 2 Cotton, Georgina (8 August 2013). "Mayor announces plans for Eid Festival to return to London". Event Magazine. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  13. ↑ Malik, Anila (9 August 2013). "Boris Johnson uses London Eid Festival to fool Muslims". 5 Pillarz. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Malik, Asmaa (2009). "Mayor of London: Come and celebrate Eid in Trafalgar Square". Global Arab Network. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  15. ↑ "Trafalgar Square hosts Eid event". BBC News. 11 October 2008. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  16. 1 2 3 "`Eid in London Square". OnIslam. 21 October 2007. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  17. ↑ "Mayor of London welcomes Eid celebrations in Trafalgar Square". London: London.gov.uk. 19 September 2007. Archived from the original on 1 November 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  18. ↑ Shaffi, Sarah (13 August 2013). "Eid celebration in Trafalgar Square to mark end of fasting month of Ramadan". London: London 24. Archived from the original on 1 November 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  19. 1 2 Patel, Lendell (31 July 2013). "Eid-Al-fitr, a religious celebration". London: The Asians. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  20. ↑ Rahman, Emdad (28 September 2009). "`Eid in the Crowds". OnIslam. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  21. ↑ Al-Jadir, Raya (31 July 2014). "Eid Celebration: The British Way". OnIslam. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  22. ↑ "Thousands Celebrate Eid In Trafalgar Square". The Asians. 20 August 2013. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  23. ↑ Shaffi, Sarah (22 September 2011). "Eid celebrations in London's Trafalgar Square". London: London 24. Archived from the original on 1 November 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
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