Thousands gathered at London's Trafalgar Square for the Eid in the Square event celebrating Eid al-Fitr, the end of Ramadan.
The event returned for its 18th year and was hosted by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, with South Asian streaming platform ZEE5 Global as the official OTT presenting partner. This year's theme, Love For Everyone, was focussed on bringing families and communities together and witnessed one of its best turnouts till date.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said he was thrilled that Londoners and visitors of all faiths and none joined together for the annual Eid in the Square festivities.
“The success of this event once again demonstrates that London’s diversity is our greatest strength, and something to be celebrated at every opportunity as we build a better London for all. It was inspiring to see people of all backgrounds enjoying the food, music, and activities, and embracing the rich traditions of the Muslim community in the heart of our capital following Ramadan,” he added.
Hailed as one of the biggest community-based events in London, the event saw both London residents and visitors explore the best of Islamic art, history, and culture. The main stage was host to a blend of contemporary and traditional performances, while food stalls from around the world offered an array of dishes from different cuisines.
ZEE5 Global organised a variety of interactive activities; games like digital spin the wheel and the cash-grabbing machine offered visitors a chance to win subscriptions and goodies from the brand.
Archana Anand, Chief Business Officer, ZEE5 Global said, “We have always believed in providing the finest entertainment that celebrates culture and diversity. We are pleased to have been associated with this initiative that gave us an opportunity to celebrate the festival of Eid along with the community. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Mayor for this initiative.”
This year also saw the Inspiring Muslim Awards, where unsung heroes from London's community nominated by locals are celebrated, being held for the first time.