Gravesham worshippers come together in faith at the biggest Eid prayer festival in north Kent
Published: 13:41, 06 May 2022
Updated: 13:43, 06 May 2022
More than 1,000 worshippers came together to mark the end of an important Islamic holiday.
Men, women, and children from across Gravesham celebrated Eid, which marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting.
The open air prayers took place in Fort Gardens, Gravesend, on Bank Holiday Monday.
It was marked as one of the largest attendances of the festival in north Kent, which was organised by the Gravesham and Dartford Muslim Association, supported by Kent Equality Cohesion Council and Gravesham Borough Council.
Bilal Farooq, chairman of the Gravesham and Dartford Muslim Association, described the event as an opportunity to bring communities in the borough together, as well as break down barriers and promote harmony between faiths.
He said: "We are so incredibly blessed, proud and humbled by the huge turnout at the Eid Prayers event in Fort Gardens both from Muslim congregation members and non-Muslims alike.
"This is the first large scale Eid festivities we have held since the pandemic. The entire purpose of event was to share the auspicious marking of Eid with all our brothers and sisters in North Kent regardless of their faith and background."
Gurvinder Sandher, from the Kent Equality Cohesion Council, added: "I would like to express my warmest congratulations to the Muslim community here in North Kent for Eid.
"The last few years have been challenging for all with the pandemic prohibiting large scale gatherings up until recently.
"So it’s wonderful to see so many people come together on at such as auspicious time to promote unity and community cohesion.
"We wish everyone celebrating around the world a very happy Eid."
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