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1,000 Muslims celebrate Eid in Sefton Park*

More than 1,000 Muslims are coming together at Sefton Park to celebrate the festival of Eid.

It is the first time in the history of Liverpool that the Eid prayers are being held at a major public venue in addition to the city’s mosques.

The hosting of the important Islamic Festival at one of the city’s most beautiful areas of open space has been hailed as a landmark in Liverpool’s Faith in One City celebrations.

City Council Leader, Councillor Mike Storey, said: “We are absolutely delighted the Muslim community has taken a lead role in bringing their Eid celebrations out to the wider community.

“It is wonderful that these expressions of faith are taking place at Sefton Park, and this decision should be welcomed and encouraged. I can’t think of a better way to show how tolerance, understanding and friendship between all religions is a fundamental part of life in Liverpool.”

Members of the Yemeni community decided to hold this year’s Eid celebrations at Sefton Park, to mark Liverpool’s year of Faith in One City, and ease pressure on the city’s mosques.
 
They have worked in partnership with the city council, and received sponsorship from Glendale Grounds Management, who maintain the park, and Enterprise-Liverpool – to set-up a giant marquee in Sefton Park, which will hold around 1,000 worshippers.

Eid-ul-Adha, which is celebrated this Sunday, is a major Muslim celebration, and marks the day when Muslims make the pilgrimage to Makkah (correct spelling), the birthplace of Islam.

Eid-ul-Adha (the Festival of Sacrifice) is celebrated throughout the Muslim world as a commemoration of Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son for God.

Mr. Abdul Nasser Al-Joury, Chairman of the Yemeni Community Association (YCA), said: “The Muslim community thought it would be a wonderful idea, in the council’s year of Faith in One City, to hold our Eid prayers at Sefton Park for the first time.

“The city council has been very supportive, in particular council leader, Councillor Mike Storey. We are also very appreciative of the efforts made by all our Muslim communities, especially the Somali community. And I am very grateful for the individual efforts of community members such as Dr. Nabil Sultan.. who played major roles in bringing the Eid celebrations to Sefton Park.”

Dr. Mohammad Al-Faqih, Education and Cultural Officer at the YCA said “It’s fantastic that, this year, we are holding our prayers in such a key Liverpool venue. We are looking forward to a very special Eid celebration – with around 1,000 worshippers coming together at Sefton Park, and many more uniting at the city’s mosques.” 

Preparations for the Eid celebrations begin at Sefton Park on Saturday, 31 January, at 11am. The Muslim community will team-up with council parks officers to set-up the giant marquee where the prayers will take place.

The Eid festivities begin at the park on Sunday 1 February at 8.30am. More than 1,000 Liverpool Muslims will unite in prayer, before an afternoon of relaxation and social activity, including games for the children.

ENDS

*Extracts from an article published on Liverpool City Council's website (2004)