Unity plea ahead of huge Eid celebrations

About 70,000 people had been expected at Small Heath Park, Birmingham, on Friday

Muslims in the West Midlands say this year's Eid events will offer a chance to remember people around the world who are suffering.

Eid al-Adha, one of the main festivals in the Islamic calendar alongside Eid al-Fitr, will be marked in the UK between Friday and Monday.

Two Eid in the Park events were expected to draw thousands of people to Birmingham's Small Heath Park and Wolverhampton's West Park on Friday - although the former will move indoors to Green Lane Mosque due to the weather.

"I think it would be an understatement to say that our hearts are with people who are suffering right now," said Haniya Aadam, from the mosque.

Eid al-Adha remembers the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and his willingness to sacrifice his son, Ishmael at God's command - although ultimately God spared him.

Small Heath Park was also the venue for an Eid al-Fitr celebration earlier in the year

Ms Aadam said she felt the lessons of Ibrahim were especially important at a time of conflict and division in the world.

"It's that obedience that Ibrahim had to God, it's that full faith and that full trust that God was going to look after him and look after his child," she explained.

"We can't ignore that. I don't think there's any Muslim here that's going to not be thinking about the Muslims thousands of miles away that are suffering.

"So having that trust in God, the way that Ibrahim did, to have a happy ending, brings hope to us."

The gathering in Wolverhampton is one of the largest Eid celebrations in the Black Country

About 5,000 worshippers are expected at the event in West Park, the fifth to be held, and which is organised by Jaamia Masjid Aqsa with the event starting with speeches from 10:00 BST.

Sohail Khan, councillor for Tettenhall Regis and one of the organisers, echoed Ms Aadam's sentiments.

"We live in a very polarised society," he said. "There's nothing better than to bring us all together under one common theme. It is Eid and it is a Muslim festival, but it's open to everybody.

"They don't have to partake in the religious side of it. But that's what Eid's about.

"It's about community."