Is Eid 2023 today? When Eid al-Adha starts and the main UK events in London and beyond

Eid al-Adha is upon us and millions around the world will be celebrating and saying Eid Mubarak to one another.

The day is considered the holier of the two Eid festivals observed by Muslims each year.

It follows the celebration of Eid al-Fitr in April, which brings to an end the holy fasting month of Ramadan.

When is Eid al-Adha 2023?

Eid al-Adha falls on the tenth day of Dhu al-Hijja, the 12th month of the Islamic Hijri calendar.

Because this is based on the phases of the moon, it moves forward around 11 days annually in the more commonly used Gregorian calendar.

The nature of the Hijri also means that it’s not possible to predict its date exactly – however, we get a little more warning than with Eid al-Fitr, when the festival falls right at the start of the month.

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According to Saudi Arabia, whose official verdict is followed by many Muslims across the world, Dhul-Hijjah began on Monday 19 June – this means that Eid al-Adha starts on Wednesday 28 June.

It follows the Day of Arafah on Tuesday, which is considered one of the most important days of the Islamic year.

The Eid al-Adha festival lasts for four days, so will come to an end on the evening of Sunday 2 July.

There is some debate as to whether the idea of a moon sighting should refer to you physically witnessing the moon in your region, which could be hampered by factors such as weather conditions, or whether to defer to sightings in Saudi Arabia or other regions.

Some people argue that technological advancements in astronomy mean that the rising of the new moon can be calculated with unprecedented accuracy, meaning that a standardised start date can be used for all Muslims around the world, rather than having variations.

Eid al-Adha falls around the same time as the Hajj pilgrimage to the Kabba in Mecca, one of the most sacred traditions of Islam.

What is Eid al-Adha and why is it more holy?

Known as the “Festival of the Sacrifice” or colloquially as “Big Eid”, Eid al-Adha is considered the holier of the two Islamic Eid festivals.

It honours the famous story of the willingness of the prophet Ibrahim (known in the Old Testament as Abraham) to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God’s command.

However, before Ibrahim carried out the heartbreaking request, God, known as Allah in Islam, produced a lamb for him to sacrifice instead.

To commemorate this, an animal is traditionally sacrificed and divided into three parts in an act known as Qurbani. One part of the sheep is given to the poor, one to the immediate family at home and one is reserved for relatives.

Some Muslims may give money to charity to give poorer families the chance to have a proper Eid feast. Mosques and community groups will often arrange communal meals.

What events are on in the UK?

1Eid Festival 2023 was started in 2007 and it is taking place across five different locations. There is Eid Salah at 10am for both men and women, as well as petting zoos, circus performers, and nasheed groups. It will end with a massive fireworks show.

Locations include Southall Park, Goodmayes Park, Harrow Kenton Recreation Field, Luton Stockwood and Wardown Park

Eid in the Park 2023 is happening today at the New River Sport (Rugby Grass Field). This is the the Assunnah community’s event, and there will be funfair souk, food, and ice cream.

The London Eid Al-Adha Fair will take place on Epsom Downs Racecourse on Sunday 2 July from 12pm to 6pm. There will be bouncy castles, face painting, food, shopping and henna.

Eid in the Park with Annoor is taking place from today until Sunday in Acton Park and there will be a funfair, food, face painting, bouncy castles and rides to celebrate the occasion.

Eid Al Adha party in the park will take place on Saturday 1 July on Bosworth Road, and there will be activities, food and performances.

An Enchanted Eid will also be on Saturday in Byron Hall in Harrow. Yaseen Youth is organising this event, and it will have performances from Castillo Nasheeds, Safe Adam, Muslim Belal and Omar Esa. Therw will also be a comedian, Prince Abdi, and the Khayal Theatre Company, and Grace and Poise Academy will be there.

In Birmingham, the Islamwise Eid Day Gathering for Revert Muslims 2023 takes place today on Green Lane Small Heath. Masjid Al Falaah Eid Mela will be on July 1 at Broadway Academy. Today there will also be a Refugee Eid Meal organised by the The Abrahamic Foundation, where there will be food, a bouncy castle and Eid gifts.

In Peterborough there will be Eid in the Park in Peterborough Central Park today, with children’s activities and stalls.

In Coventry the Eid Picnic in the Park will take place on Sunday 2 July in the War Memorial Park from 5pm.

In Manchester there is Eid in the Park today with stalls, rides, food and prayers.

Glasgow will see a BBQ celebration in Kelvingrove Park today at 6pm, and Dundee will have Eid in the Park on Sunday 2 July from midday.

What are the prayer times in my local area?

Eid prayers are known as Salat al-Eid, and are one of the most important parts of the festival, as people gather to worship Allah.

Prayer times vary based on the sun’s path in the sky, meaning they are different even from city to city.

Birmingham Central Mosque says its prayer times are at:

• 1st Jama’at 7am
• 2nd Jama’at 8am
• 3rd Jama’at 9am
• 4th Jama’at 10am
• 5th Jama’at 11am

Manchester Central Mosque will have prayers at the same times, and the London Central Mosque will hold prayers at 7am, 8am, 9am, 10am, 11am, and 12pm.

The Edinburgh Central Mosque is holding prayers at 6.30am, 7.30am, 8.30am and 10am.