After a month of prayer, devotion and self-control, Muslims across Leicester are set to celebrate the accomplishment of their duties during Ramadan with the celebration of Eid al-Fitr.
Eid-ul-Fitr is expected to fall between Sunday, May 1 and Monday May 2 this year, with the exact date determined by the Islamic lunar calendar.
The event marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, which is spent by Muslims, fasting and dedicating more time in prayer.
In Leicester, the day will begin with the Eid prayer, which is to be held across the city’s mosques, as well as in open spaces like Spinny Hills and Victoria Park.
For the first time this year. Willowbrook Park in Thurnby Lodge will also be hosting Eid prayers, with all prayers set to begin at 9am.
“It’s a great time for families, celebrating by sharing of food, and many may visit the cemetery to pray for their loved ones”, said Suleman Nagdi, from the Federation of Muslim Organisations.
“There’s lots of other ways people celebrate too like spending time exchanging gifts and visiting friends and extended families”.
Mr Nagdi encouraged individuals to bring their own prayer mats to this year’s Eid celebrations, revealing that some of the prayers may not be conducted in a marquee but in the open on the lawns.
“If it rains we hope individuals will brave the weather and sacrifice the slight inconvenience and still attend”, he added.
“After all rain is a blessing of the Almighty, as it nourish the earth, God willing it will also nourish us spiritually”.
