Africa TV Covers Eid in Manchester
Eid al-Fitr 2024
Africa TV Covers Eid in Manchester
Eid al-Fitr 2024
Date: 10 April 2024
On Eid al-Fitr 2024, Manchester was very happy. After a month of fasting, praying, and pondering, Muslim families from all around the city joined together to celebrate Eid. They were thrilled, relieved, and incredibly grateful. From the outset of the day, it was evident that this was not just the end of Ramadan but a day that people had been looking forward to with open hearts. In the UK, Eid al-Fitr 1445 fell on Wednesday, April 10, 2024.
Eid in the Park, Manchester, was very much a part of the broader Eid in the Park, Manchester, community, which has a simple but strong message: "One Eid, One Place, One Community." The folks in charge say that the project has been going on since 2016 and has brought together more than 20,000 people. Its purpose is to bring together Manchester's different Muslim groups and reach out to the rest of the city to foster community harmony.
As part of its ongoing effort to capture Muslim life in Britain, Africa TV sent Mohamed Algadi to Manchester to report on the Eid celebrations. There were two factors that made this coverage stand out: the size of the crowd and the emotion on the ground. Everyone was happy. Families dressed up in their nicest outfits. The kids were so happy they ran around. People who hadn't seen each other in weeks or months stopped to say hi. It was the kind of morning that made people think about how lovely it is to be with other people.
During the festivities, Mohamed Algadi mingled with attendees from various Arab, African, and Muslim communities, all there to celebrate. They exchanged words of affection and gratitude. Many remarked on the joy of witnessing such a large gathering of people in harmony. Attendees reflected on the significance of these moments for their children, filled with prayer, family, laughter, and a profound sense of belonging as they matured. These shared experiences were the report's central theme.
They demonstrated that Eid transcends a mere celebration; it's an emotional reality.
The coverage didn't simply report on Eid as a religious observance. It portrayed it as a lived experience: a day when devotion and fellowship converge, and individuals discover spiritual significance in their bonds. Certainly, there was prayer, but there was also the joy of reunion, the practice of kindness, a shared sense of belonging, and the tranquility found in the company of those who grasp the day's true essence.
Over the past decade, Eid in the Park has become a much-loved community tradition in Manchester, bringing families, neighbours and friends together to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, the festival marking the end of Ramadan. The event has always been about unity, joy, and strengthening community ties across the city.
Following discussions with Manchester City Council and partner agencies, we would like to share an important update regarding arrangements for Eid al-Fitr in March 2026.
Change to Prayer Arrangements (March 2026):
After careful consideration, the organised Eid prayer will not take place at Platt Fields Park or the Platt Lane Sports Complex in March 2026. This decision has been made to ensure that all arrangements meet the necessary safety and operational requirements associated with gatherings of this scale. We kindly ask members of the community not to travel to Platt Fields Park expecting to attend the Eid prayer, as the organised prayer gathering will not take place there this March.
Alternative Prayer Arrangements Across Manchester:
Manchester has a strong network of mosques and community centres that host multiple Eid prayer sessions every year.In particular, Alfurqan Masjid and Islamic Centre, one of the largest mosques in the city, has confirmed that it will host several Eid prayer sessions to help accommodate members of the community who would normally attend Eid in the Park. We encourage everyone to attend their local mosques or neighbourhood prayer arrangements, many of which will organise multiple sessions on Eid morning to welcome worshippers safely and comfortably.
Family Funfair
While the organised prayer gathering will not take place, the family funfair at Platt Fields Park will still go ahead as planned. Families are welcome to attend and enjoy the celebrations from 12:00pm to 6:00pm, providing an opportunity for the community to come together later in the day in a family- friendly atmosphere.
Looking Ahead - Ei d i n the Park Returns i n May 2026
We are pleased to confirm that Eid in the Park will return later this year in May 2026, where we will celebrate together again as a community. The March change is a one-off adjustment for this particular Eid, and we look forward to welcoming families back for the full Eid Park experience in May.
Celebrating Eid as a Community
Eid remains a time of joy, generosity, and togetherness. We encourage families to celebrate safely with loved ones, neighbours, and local communities across Manchester. We would also like to thank the many volunteers, community organisations, and partners who have supported Eid in the Park over the years and helped make it a positive and memorable event for the city.
We wish everyone celebrating a joyful and peaceful Eid Mubarak.
Eid in the Park
Organising Committee Manchester.
Over the past decade, Eid in the Park has become a much-loved community tradition in Manchester, bringing families, neighbours and friends together to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, the festival marking the end of Ramadan. The event has always been about unity, joy, and strengthening community ties across the city.
Following discussions with Manchester City Council and partner agencies, we would like to share an important update regarding arrangements for Eid al-Fitr in March 2026.
Change to Prayer Arrangements (March 2026):
After careful consideration, the organised Eid prayer will not take place at Platt Fields Park or the Platt Lane Sports Complex in March 2026. This decision has been made to ensure that all arrangements meet the necessary safety and operational requirements associated with gatherings of this scale. We kindly ask members of the community not to travel to Platt Fields Park expecting to attend the Eid prayer, as the organised prayer gathering will not take place there this March.
Alternative Prayer Arrangements Across Manchester:
Manchester has a strong network of mosques and community centres that host multiple Eid prayer sessions every year.In particular, Alfurqan Masjid and Islamic Centre, one of the largest mosques in the city, has confirmed that it will host several Eid prayer sessions to help accommodate members of the community who would normally attend Eid in the Park. We encourage everyone to attend their local mosques or neighbourhood prayer arrangements, many of which will organise multiple sessions on Eid morning to welcome worshippers safely and comfortably.
Family Funfair
While the organised prayer gathering will not take place, the family funfair at Platt Fields Park will still go ahead as planned. Families are welcome to attend and enjoy the celebrations from 12:00pm to 6:00pm, providing an opportunity for the community to come together later in the day in a family- friendly atmosphere.
Looking Ahead - Ei d i n the Park Returns i n May 2026
We are pleased to confirm that Eid in the Park will return later this year in May 2026, where we will celebrate together again as a community. The March change is a one-off adjustment for this particular Eid, and we look forward to welcoming families back for the full Eid Park experience in May.
Celebrating Eid as a Community
Eid remains a time of joy, generosity, and togetherness. We encourage families to celebrate safely with loved ones, neighbours, and local communities across Manchester. We would also like to thank the many volunteers, community organisations, and partners who have supported Eid in the Park over the years and helped make it a positive and memorable event for the city.
We wish everyone celebrating a joyful and peaceful Eid Mubarak.
Eid in the Park
Organising Committee Manchester.
