Southampton Muslims come together to celebrate Eid

Southampton Central Mosque on Compton Walk opened the gates of its car park as dozens of people set up stalls to for the annual Eid Festival.

One of the most important festivals in Islam, Eid marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting.

During the month of Ramadan, Muslims around the world fast from dawn to sunset, refraining from eating and drinking. The fast is seen as a time of spiritual reflection, increased devotion, worship, and self-discipline.

The event also aimed to fundraise for the victims of the war in Gaza at the moment.

Kasim Sumra, 45 (Image: Newsquest, Jose Ramos)

Kasim Sumra, 45, event organiser said: “Today is about to celebrate the end of Ramadan and to help our brothers and sisters who are suffering in Palestine.

“This is an open event for everyone to join us in the community, you can see the various stalls we have.

"We have the fire brigade here with us and the children like to look at the fire engines, later on, we’ll have the police as well, we have the Saints Foundation also coming to play some games with the kids as well.”

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Although the month of Ramadan is about the spiritual connection, he said that the community felt like it couldn’t celebrate because of what was happening in Palestine.

He said: “As a Muslim, we feel as if we are one body and we are connected. However, when on one side of the world our brothers are suffering and are being let down by the world, we don’t feel like we have a reason to celebrate.

“We don’t feel like we can do that when we see what is happening in Palestine and the men, women and children who are suffering as a result of the war in Gaza.

“So that is why we’re doing this, we are selling food here from Turkey, Egypt, there’s Pakistani food and Indian food as well.

"All of the funds are going to support the Palestinian people.”