Thousands of Muslims praying in the open at the end of Ramadan 2022 were filmed by drones flying high over the city. Two Eid ul-Fitr rallies were organized by Green Lane Masjid – one next to Edgbaston Stadium at 8.30am, followed by another, one hour later in Small Heath Park.
The photos illustrate how, in the words of West Midlands Mayor Andy Street, the period of fasting during Ramadan is a period of “inclusion”, when people come together for a common goal.
The main photo we chose below was taken from the Tennyson Road side of Small Heath Park, where the main boat lake is. It shows the huge collection, surrounded by green landscaping with towers in the center of the city in silhouette. If the day was much sunnier with clearer visibility, it could be a truly spectacular image.
Read more:Eid at Small Heath Park has big changes, colorful costumes and lots of smiles
Aerial photos from the Edgbaston Stadium show less gathering on both sides of the training ground next to the cricket field and Edgbaston Road. Here prayers were held at 8:30 a.m., an hour before the prayers in Small Heath Park.
You can watch three live videos on BirminghamLive, Facebook at events on both sites – the prayers of Small Heath Park are on this link here, here is a reflection of the walks of Robert Wilkinson Funfair and the prayers at Edgbaston Stadium can be seen here
The first estimates of attendance at Small Heath Park were between 30,000 and 40,000 – on June 2, 2019, when the event was last authorized before Covid, but much higher than the 20,000 that was thought to be in 2022
Eid ul-Fitr in Small Heath Park – Green Lane Masjid attendance was estimated at 30-40,000. Sheikh Mustafa Hussein Abu Ryan led the prayers from a position just to the left of the black tent in front of the crowd. Rows of women stretch to the top of the crowd stage (Image: Courtesy of Green Lane Masjid)
As in recent years, the weather is holding up well. After a rain on Sunday, a ruling was made overnight on whether the grass would be too wet to continue, but no emergency plans were needed for indoor prayers.
The ability to hold gatherings on a festive Monday meant that traffic in the area was lighter than it would have been during the traditional peak hours. After prayers, many worshipers moved to the part of Small Heath Park that will host the Robert Wilkinson Fair until May 8.
Families were in power, with young children enjoying the rides and dodges. The teenagers also managed to loosen their hair after fasting periods before Covid faced the “GCSE” and “A” Level exams.
This year’s event at Small Heath Park was significantly different from previous years. Huge pieces of plastic wrap for people to sit on were not removed from the warehouses in favor of asking worshipers to bring their own bedding and be guided by a fine colored string where to place them.
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And this year there were no speeches before to emphasize the importance of prayer.
Aerial photo of Eid ul-Fitr drone at Edgbaston Stadium at the end of Ramadan 2022 (Image: Sam Bagnall)
West Midlands police officers were among those present on the day of the holiday. A group of girls from Somali families wanted to sit in the driver’s seat of a police car – and the policeman was too happy to commit.
Meanwhile, female police officers mingled with the crowds at the end of the Robert Wilkinson Fair Park. Their soothing presence was helpful when a little boy separated from his family and was cared for by four officers.
When the Steelhouse Lane Police Museum in the West Midlands opened in April, newcomer to the Knight Sir Dave Thompson said: “The museum will give people a chance to learn more about the local police today and learn all about its history.
Sheikh Mustafa Hussein Abu Ryan memorized the Qur’an from an early age – he led the prayers of Eid al-Fitr in the Small Heath Park on Monday, May 2, 2022 (Image: Graham Young / BirminghamLive)
“This is essential for us when we look at the good and the bad of our history; from pioneer women, blacks, and Asian officers to lessons learned when we didn’t get it right.
“The exhibited items are not just obsolete parts of a set and collections of old photos and records. Everyone tells a touching story. They demonstrate the struggle of those who were before us and shed light on the social history of the police.
“The museum will give us a chance to build bridges with communities through our common history and to educate people on how the police have evolved. It will be an important educational resource for young people in the West Midlands and beyond. “
Read more: Muslim runner raises funds for Birmingham Children’s Hospital while fasting for Ramadan
Read more: What is it like to train for the Great Birmingham Run 2022 and fast during Ramadan
To keep up with all the latest news during Ramadan in Birmingham, you can sign up for our newsletter Brummie Muslims. It’s free and delivered directly to your inbox. Register here
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