 Around 2.45 pm the sun finally peeped through the clouds at Trafalgar Square brightening an already vibrantand happy London Saturday afternoon. Appropriately, the change in weather happened while Mecca-2-Medina, the effervescent Muslim rap group, were on stage. Young parents holding on to their toddlers, young boys in baggy trousers, young ladies in all varieties of hijab - or none at all - as was their wont -and many others enjoyed 'Eid in the Square' on 28th October.
The event was the first ever Eid-ul Fitr celebration to take place in Trafalgar Square, marking the end of Ramadan. The organisers were the Mayor of London and the Musim Council of Britain, working through its London Affairs Committee chaired by Harun Rashid Khan. Sponsors included Islamic Relief and Islam Channel. There was a warm and appreciative response to Mayor Ken Livingstone's introductory speech, as were the later references to the city's "great mayor" by Islam Channel's head, Mr Mohammed Ali. All the city's other major faiths have also held similar celebrations in Trafalgar Square supported by the Mayor's Office.
Responses received by the MCB include this email:
"Just a quick to note to say what a pleasant time the whole family had on Saturday . Masha'Allah it was well organised and non-contentious, ie peaceful. The speeches were good, and the performers too, although some of ther performances in urdu excluded non-urdu speakers. I expect there is a food-restriction in the square, because the absence of kebab
vendors etc was a notable absence! indeed any other cold halal food stall would have been welcome. Stalls of mehndi artists would also be a good idea because that always attracts non-Muslims too. We left for Asr before the end of the event and watched the rest on Islam Channel. Howver it must have been INCREDIBLE to hear the azan in Trafalgar Square! Alhamdulillah. We look forward to an even better event next year Insha'Allah.
Thank you again"
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