Muslims in Belfast gather to celebrate Eid al-Adha

Thousands of Muslims in Northern Ireland have gathered in south Belfast to celebrate Eid al-Adha.

Organisers said about 4,000 people were expected to attend the event at a sports centre on Friday.

Eid al-Adha, one of the main festivals in the Islamic calendar alongside Eid al-Fitr, will be marked in the UK between Friday and Monday.

The chair of the Belfast Islamic Centre, Mohammed Arshed, said there was no doubt that the Muslim community in Northern Ireland is growing.

“I remember the days when there were very few people over here, but now it’s such a large community,” he said.

“We are part of the local community – I think immigrants contribute to the economy at large and I think they are a good asset for the country as a whole.”

Pashmina Kashif, the secretary of the Belfast Islamic Centre, said it was getting harder to secure a venue large enough to accommodate an Eid celebration.

“Because the community is so big we try to accommodate everyone but sometimes it’s not possible,” he said.

“It’s a happy occasion, it’s a celebration.

“Our community is so diverse – I am from Pakistan, there are people from Egypt, Malaysia, Indonesia, all over the world.

“There are over 42 different nationalities and this is the day that brings everyone together, regardless of their background, their culture, their language.”

Faiz Mohammad Faisal, a student at Queen’s University Belfast, said it was a global celebration.

“To be able to do it here in Belfast, with so many thousands of people from different cultures, nationalities, it’s really special,” he said.

“You just see and meet so many people from different parts of the world.”