Eid Mubarak! All eyes are on the sky today (Thursday, March 19), as the sighting of the new crescent moon will mark the end of Ramadan—the Islamic month of fasting (sawm), prayer, reflection and community—with Birmingham’s Eid al-Fitr celebrations, also known as the Festival of Sweets, set to be as huge as ever!
One of the biggest Eid al-Fitr celebrations in Europe looks to return to Small Heath Park on Friday morning (March 20), with Green Lane Masjid officially confirming the event’s return. A record 140,000 people attended in 2018, while more recent years have drawn numbers closer to 20 to 40,000 people. We expect a huge turnout either way.
What is Eid al-Fitr?
Eid al-Fitr literally means “the festival of breaking the fast”. It begins on the first day of Shawwal, the month that comes immediately after Ramadan in the Islamic lunar calendar, and serves as a moment of gratitude after weeks of fasting, charity and night prayers.
The occasion traditionally starts with Eid prayers shortly after sunrise, followed by greetings, family visits and festive meals shared with loved ones. In Birmingham, this often means mosques running multiple prayer sessions to cope with demand and huge open-air prayers in parks when the weather allows.
You will often see people head out in new clothes, exchange gifts and visit relatives, but Eid also has a strong charitable dimension to it. Before the Eid prayer, Muslims are required to give Zakat al-Fitr, a small payment that ensures those in need can also enjoy the celebrations just as much as everyone else.
What should I know about Eid in the Park?
Green Lane Masjid invites all who celebrate to arrive from 8:15am onwards at Small Heath Park. Eid prayer will begin at 9am sharp, and you are asked to bring your own prayer mats, plastic sheets to put underneath, chairs, and water bottles for wudu. In case of bad weather, prayers will be moved to Green Lane Masjid every hour between 7 to 11am.
After prayers, a fun fair will be running in the park from 10am to 9pm throughout Eid day for families to enjoy as part of the festivities. Birmingham City Council has also confirmed it is working closely with West Midlands Police and local community partners to ensure that residents, businesses, and visitors can celebrate Eid al-Fitr safely.
“Eid is a cherished time for families across Birmingham, and we want people to feel safe, respected, and supported as they come together to celebrate,” said Councillor Jamie Scott, Cabinet Member for Social Justice, Community Safety and Equalities. “We’ve listened closely to residents and businesses during Ramadan, and we are acting on what matters most to them.
“Our officers will be working on the ground throughout the celebrations, in addressing issues such as parking, noise and nuisance behaviour, with the support of West Midlands Police. These celebrations bring so much joy and sense of community to our city, and we are committed to ensuring they can be enjoyed responsibly by everyone.”