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Thousands of Muslims gather at the park for Eid celebrations marking the end of Ramadan

As the holy month of Ramadan came to an end on Sunday, thousands of Muslims congregated at the park for a special Eid prayer led by the internationally renowned Islamic scholar, Mufti Menk.

Worshippers simultaneously bowed down in prayer with their heads to the ground at Valentines Park, Ilford on 2 May.

This was part of the ‘Eid in the Park’ event held by Redbridge Islamic Centre in partnership with Eman Channel.

For the last month, Muslims around the world have been observing one of the five pillars of Islam – fasting (Sawm).

This is where Muslims refrain from drinking, eating and performing bad deeds from dawn-till-dusk, and increase in good deeds such as giving charity.

For many Muslims, the holy month of Ramadan came to an end on Sunday evening with the sighting of a new moon in Saudi Arabia marking the start of Eid al-Fitr celebrations.

Eid al-Fitr is a Muslim festival marking the end of Ramadan.

The ‘Eid in the Park’ event began at 8:30am and started with the Eid prayer – with worshippers told to bring their own prayer mats.

ON THEIR WAY TO EID PRAYER: Muslims gathered at Valentines Park for a fun-filled Eid in the Park.

The Eid prayer is a way for Muslims to start the day of celebrations off by thanking God and showing appreciation to God for seeing them through the blessed month.

The Jama’ah – a group prayer – was led at 9:45am by Mufti Menk an Islamic scholar from South Africa, Zimbabwe.

WOMEN WAVE AT FRIENDS AND FAMILY: They sit in rows with friends and family and prepare for the Eid prayer.

The prayer was followed by two sermons which reminded Muslims about the five pillars of Islam as well as the importance of continuing good deeds from Ramadan and keeping up good habits.

Mufti Menk began the sermons on a triumphant note and said: “My brothers, my sisters, we thank Allah almighty for granting us this blessed day, a day of joy, a day of happiness, a day of rejoicing, a day of celebration.

“We deserve every moment of it, and it is given to us by Allah (SWT).

“We have fasted the entire month of Ramadan, may Allah accept it from us.

“We have stood in voluntary prayer at night the entire month of Ramadan, may Allah accept it from us.

“We have given charities throughout the month of Ramadan, may Allah accept it from us.

“We have disciplined ourselves through the month of Ramadan, may Allah accept it from us.

“Indeed, we deserve a beautiful day of rejoicing.”

After the Eid prayer, many families as well as Mufti Menk enjoyed the family funfair which included a kids play area, halal food by Saffron Kitchen and many other exciting stalls.

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