Small Heath Eid al-Fitr event cancelled due to rain

A huge Eid event in Birmingham expected to attract thousands of Muslims was called off due to heavy rain.

The event, which marks the end of Ramadan, was due to take place on Friday in Small Heath Park. A similar event at Edgbaston was also cancelled.

Last year, more than 20,000 people gathered in the park to celebrate.

Green Lane Masjid said it was a "difficult decision" but held prayers at the mosque which saw around 3,000 attendees each session.

Haniya Adam, from the mosque, said cancelling the outdoor event was the right call, as the ground was waterlogged.

"It was just too wet and the chances of rain was far too high," she said

Prayers were held indoors instead at Green Lane Masjid

Around 40,000 people were expected from all over the country, with hundreds more ready to gather at Edgbaston's Colts cricket ground.

Due to the volume of people, Green Lane Masjid had been welcoming worshippers since 06:30 BST on Friday, with around 3,000 people attending each prayer session.

Ms Adam said: "It is a lot to cancel last minute with the amount of volunteers and stewards, but everyone has been understanding.

"We had an amazing turn out in the mosque, we were only meant to have four prayer meetings but in the end had five."

While there was supposed to be a fun fair this year in the park, Ms Adam said people would continue Eid celebrations at home, like she is, by opening presents, eating and spending time with family.

About 20,000 people have attended the Eid event in Small Heath Park

During Ramadan, Muslims fast between sunrise and sunset.

Eid al-Fitr means "festival of the breaking of the fast" and is one of the biggest celebrations in the Islamic year.

As the date for Ramadan changes every year because Islam uses a calendar based on the cycles of the Moon, Ms Adam said they will most likely not plan for next year's event to be outdoors due to it being held more into the winter months.

Ms Adam said Eid also represented "such a strong form of worship".

Worship has been going on since 06:30 BST