Eid in the Square

Eid in the Park is a free event/{{cite news |url=http://www.asianimage.co.uk/news/united_kingdom/11383966.Pictures__Eid_celebrations_in_Trafalgar_Square/|title=Pictures: Eid celebrations in Trafalgar Square|publisher=Asian Image|date=2 August 2014|access-date=1 November 2014}}{{cite news |url=http://www.westerntelegraph.co.uk/news/11383966.print/|title=Eid celebrations in Trafalgar Square|publisher=Western Telegraph|date=2 August 2013|access-date=1 November 2014}} festival for people of all faiths{{cite news |last=Hedges-Stocks|first=Zoah|url=http://www.london24.com/entertainment/eid_al_fitr_in_trafalgar_square_everything_you_need_to_know_1_3698997|title=Eid al-Fitr in Trafalgar Square: Everything you need to know|location=London|publisher=London 24|date=1 August 2014|access-date=1 November 2014|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141101015457/http://www.london24.com/entertainment/eid_al_fitr_in_trafalgar_square_everything_you_need_to_know_1_3698997 |archive-date=1 November 2014 }}{{cite news|last=Hedges-Stocks|first=Zoah|url=http://www.hamhigh.co.uk/mobile/entertainment/eid_al_fitr_in_trafalgar_square_everything_you_need_to_know_1_3698997|title=Eid al-Fitr in Trafalgar Square: Everything you need to know|location=London|publisher=Ham & High|date=1 August 2014|access-date=1 November 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140803194921/http://www.hamhigh.co.uk/mobile/entertainment/eid_al_fitr_in_trafalgar_square_everything_you_need_to_know_1_3698997|archive-date=3 August 2014}} inaugurated in 2006 and hosted by the Mayor of London on the first Saturday after the Islamic religious holiday of Eid al-Fitr which marks and celebrates the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan at the Trafalgar Square in Westminster, London, England{{cite news |url=http://www.theasians.co.uk/story/20140804_eid_square_mayor|title=Thousands Celebrate Eid In Trafalgar Square|publisher=The Asians|date=4 August 2014|access-date=1 November 2014}}{{cite news |url=http://www.timeout.com/london/things-to-do/eid-in-the-square-1|title=Eid in the Square|publisher=Time Out|date=11 October 2008|access-date=1 November 2014}} from 12 noon to 6 pm.{{cite news|last=Habriri|first=Najlaa|url=http://www.aawsat.net/2014/08/article55335037|title=A Celebration of Eid in Trafalgar Square|publisher=Asharq Al-Awsat|date=4 August 2014|access-date=1 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141101014908/http://www.aawsat.net/2014/08/article55335037|archive-date=1 November 2014|url-status=dead}}

The first event took place on Saturday 28 October 2006 from 1 pm to 5 pm,{{cite news |url=http://www.asianimage.co.uk/news/972942.print/|title=Eid celebrations in Trafalgar Square|publisher=Asian Image|date=14 October 2006|access-date=1 November 2014}} and was organised by the Muslim Council of Britain and the Mayor of London Ken Livingstone.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/london/content/articles/2006/10/24/eid_inthesquare_feature.shtml|title=Eid-ul Fitr celebration take place in Trafalgar Square|publisher=BBC News|date=24 October 2006|access-date=1 November 2014}}{{cite news |last=Thorpe|first=Vanessa|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2006/oct/29/religion.islam|title=Square dance marks the end of Ramadan|publisher=The Guardian|date=29 October 2006|access-date=1 November 2014}} The event is now organised by the Mayor of London with the support of the Eid Committee{{cite news |url=http://www.asianimage.co.uk/news/9223527.Eid_celebrations_in_Trafalgar_Square/|title=Eid celebrations in Trafalgar Square|publisher=Asian Image|date=30 August 2011|access-date=1 November 2014}} (a voluntary organisation{{cite news |last=Cotton|first=Georgina|url=http://www.eventmagazine.co.uk/news/1194187/Mayor-announces-plans-Eid-Festival-return-London/?DCMP=ILC-SEARCH|title=Mayor announces plans for Eid Festival to return to London|publisher=Event Magazine|date=8 August 2013|access-date=1 November 2014}}{{cite news |last=Malik|first=Anila|url=http://www.5pillarz.com/2013/08/09/boris-johnson-uses-london-eid-festival-to-fool-muslims/|title=Boris Johnson uses London Eid Festival to fool Muslims|publisher=5 Pillarz|date=9 August 2013|access-date=1 November 2014}} which represents various Muslim community groups and organisations in London), Lycamobile and the official media partner for the event is Zee TV. Partners of the festival have included the Muslim Council of Britain, Transport for London, Muslim Aid, Islamic Relief,{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7665154.stm|title=Trafalgar Square hosts Eid event|publisher=BBC News|date=11 October 2008|access-date=1 November 2014}} Islam Channel{{cite news |url=http://www.onislam.net/english/news/3341/448427.html|title=`Eid in London Square|publisher=OnIslam|date=21 October 2007|access-date=1 November 2014}} and UNISON.{{cite news |url=https://www.london.gov.uk/media/mayor-press-releases/2007/09/mayor-of-london-welcomes-eid-celebrations-in-trafalgar-square|title=Mayor of London welcomes Eid celebrations in Trafalgar Square|location=London|publisher=London.gov.uk|date=19 September 2007|access-date=1 November 2014|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141101041522/https://www.london.gov.uk/media/mayor-press-releases/2007/09/mayor-of-london-welcomes-eid-celebrations-in-trafalgar-square |archive-date=1 November 2014 }}

The event has grown to become one of the key cultural highlights of London's events calendar and sees crowds of over 25,000 attending.{{cite news |last=Malik|first=Asmaa|url=http://www.english.globalarabnetwork.com/201009207304/Culture/mayor-of-london-come-and-celebrate-eid-in-trafalgar-square.html|title=Mayor of London: Come and celebrate Eid in Trafalgar Square|publisher=Global Arab Network|date=2009|access-date=1 November 2014}}

In 2006, Ken Livingstone, the Mayor of London said: "Eid ul-fitr is the most auspicious day of the Muslim calendar. It is a day of great joy and serves as a reminder to people of all faiths of the importance of peace, compassion, unity and charity..." In 2007, Livingston insisted that "Eid celebrations in Trafalgar Square provide an opportunity for Muslims and non-Muslims to "unite and experience the cultural richness and diversity of Islam." In 2007, Muslim Council of Britain Secretary General Dr Muhammad Abdul Bari said, "Muslim Londoners are rightly proud of London's success story and long may it continue." In 2013, Mayor of London Boris Johnson said, "...I hope that Londoners from all communities will take the opportunity to join our festivities in Trafalgar Square." In 2014, he described the event as "a chance to join together and rejoice in the global diversity of the capital. Eid Mubarak!"

In 2013, Neeraj Dhingra, CEO of Zee Network Europe said: "Multiculturalism is what London stands for and at the heart of all our entertainment across Zee Network channels..." Lebara Mobile's UK managing director, Justin Cockerill, said: "We are delighted to be associated with the Mayor's Eid Festival taking place in Trafalgar Square, London..."{{cite news|last=Shaffi|first=Sarah|url=http://www.london24.com/entertainment/showbiz-news/eid_celebration_in_trafalgar_square_to_mark_end_of_fasting_month_of_ramadan_1_2333267|title=Eid celebration in Trafalgar Square to mark end of fasting month of Ramadan|location=London|publisher=London 24|date=13 August 2013|access-date=1 November 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141101013611/http://www.london24.com/entertainment/showbiz-news/eid_celebration_in_trafalgar_square_to_mark_end_of_fasting_month_of_ramadan_1_2333267|archive-date=1 November 2014}}

Eid in the Square has become an anticipated fixture in London's events calendar, attracting large crowds. The free event includes a variety of diverse performances that reflect the diversity, culture and languages of the varied Muslim communities in London. It is an open invitation to everyone in the city – Muslim and non-Muslim alike - to experience Islamic heritage.

It includes Qu'ran recitations, call to prayer, souks, bazaars, market stalls, poetry and music performances and celebrity guest appearances. The main stage features live folk music, rock bands, a children's choir, theatrical performances, speeches, interactive workshops and video shows.

The exhibition area organised by the Eid Committee includes theatre, live entertainment, live music, performances, exhibits, calligraphy, mosque architecture, Islamic art and food stalls.{{cite news |last=Patel|first=Lendell|url=http://www.knowlondon.co.uk/living-it-up/eid-al-fitr-a-religious-celebration|title=Eid-Al-fitr, a religious celebration|location=London|publisher=The Asians|date=31 July 2013|access-date=1 November 2014}} There is exhibitions of art and culture including, arts and crafts, exhibitions and displays about Islam, entertainers, storytellers{{cite news |last=Rahman|first=Emdad|url=http://www.onislam.net/english/culture-and-entertainment/traditions/448439|title=`Eid in the Crowds|publisher=OnIslam|date=28 September 2009|access-date=1 November 2014}} calligraphy, henna, face painting, stalls selling souvenirs, plus a global food festival outlets serving cuisines from across the Islamic world including; Turkish, Egyptian, Indonesian, Lebanese and Moroccan, Malaysian, South Asian, Arabic and more.{{cite news |last=Al-Jadir|first=Raya|url=http://www.onislam.net/english/culture-and-entertainment/traditions/475701-eid-celebration-the-british-way.html|title=Eid Celebration: The British Way|publisher=OnIslam|date=31 July 2014|access-date=1 November 2014}} There are performances in different languages; French, Arabic, English, Urdu, Spanish and many more. Performers and artists come from various countries and backgrounds including Pakistan, London, North Africa, Somalia, Egypt, Venezuela and the Middle East.

Square event Eid Festival housed many stalls that's includes cultural stalls from different parts of the world, food stalls, face painting, clothes, jewellery, calligraphy and art stalls. Beside these many NGOs, British Heat Foundation and other social communities display their stalls too. Eid in the square event were attended by number of participants.{{cite news |url=http://www.theasians.co.uk/story/20130820_eid_colours|title=Thousands Celebrate Eid In Trafalgar Square|publisher=The Asians|date=20 August 2013|access-date=1 November 2014}}

It also brings together musicians and performers, from UK and abroad, both traditional and modern,{{cite news |last=Shaffi|first=Sarah|url=http://www.london24.com/entertainment/things-to-do/eid_celebrations_in_london_s_trafalgar_square_1_1068467|title=Eid celebrations in London’s Trafalgar Square|location=London|publisher=London 24|date=22 September 2011|access-date=1 November 2014|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141101015040/http://www.london24.com/entertainment/things-to-do/eid_celebrations_in_london_s_trafalgar_square_1_1068467 |archive-date=1 November 2014 }} showcasing Nasheed artists singing in many languages, including Arabic, Turkish and English.

• Islam in the United Kingdom

{{Reflist|2}}

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• [https://www.bbc.co.uk/london/content/image_galleries/eid_trafalgar_square_gallery.shtml Eid in the Square]. BBC London. December 2006
• [http://www.timeout.com/london/things-to-do/eid-in-the-square Eid in the Square]. Time Out. 11 October 2012
• [https://www.standard.co.uk/panewsfeeds/thousands-celebrate-eid-at-square-8772602.html Thousands celebrate Eid at square]. London Evening Standard. 17 August 2013
• Shaffi, Sarah. [https://web.archive.org/web/20141101014334/http://www.london24.com/entertainment/showbiz-news/pictures_thousands_celebrate_eid_in_trafalgar_square_1_2341646 Pictures: Thousands celebrate Eid in Trafalgar Square]. London 24. 17 August 2013
• [http://www.london24.com/eid_2013_in_trafalgar_square_1_2341645 Eid 2013 in Trafalgar Square]. London24. 17 August 2013

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• [http://www.timeout.com/london/things-to-do/eid-in-trafalgar-square Eid in Trafalgar Square]. Time Out. 17 August 2013
• [http://www.romfordrecorder.co.uk/what-s-on/eid_2013_in_trafalgar_square_1_2341645?id=9&storyId= Eid 2013 in Trafalgar Square]{{Dead link|date=August 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}. Romford Recorder 2013
• [http://www.citizenside.com/en/photos/culture/2014-08-02/98306/london-trafalgar-square-hosts-eid-celebration.html#f=0/1002531 London: Trafalgar Square hosts 'Eid' celebration]. Citizen Side. 2 August 2014

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Category:2006 establishments in England

Category:Recurring events established in 2006

Category:Annual events in London

Category:Festivals in London

Category:Islam in London