Thousands expected for Eid-al-Adha celebrations

Up to 5,000 people attended the previous year's event

Thousands of people are preparing for the fifth annual Eid-al-Adha celebration, scheduled to take place in Wolverhampton on Friday.

Last year's event saw about 5,000 people attend, and organisers from Jamia Masjid Al-Aqsa, the city's central mosque, are expecting similar numbers this year.

Known as the "Festival of Sacrifice", Eid-al-Adha is a time when Muslims honour and reflect on the Prophet Ibrahim though prayer and charity work.

This year will be the event's third at West Park, having previously been held at Dunstall Park.

Sohail Khan, councillor for Tettenhall Regis, said the Eid in the Park event was the largest outdoor congregational prayer in the Black Country.

He thanked the volunteers and sponsors who have been planning the event for months.

"I think it's amazing. It's all about unity as well," he added.

"Bringing it out into the community, to the premier park in Wolverhampton – a beautiful space, with all the gardens around – people really appreciate it."

He said the event wold be attend by local councillors and emergency services representatives as well as the Wolves Foundation and local businesses.