Thousands turn out for #EidinKingsHeath
‘Eid in Kings Heath’ was an unprecedented celebration event for everyone of all faiths and backgrounds. Thousands joined throughout the day to join in with the Islamic festival of Eid that took place at All Saints Square on Sunday 2nd July 2023 between 12pm-6pm.
Neighbours and residents gathered to experienced live art, poetry and used the opportunity to forge new friendships, enjoy great art as well as experience some of the local Kings Heath businesses and food vendors gathered from the local area and beyond. The event was headlined by a creative arts and performance program where live painters Will Barras, Asia Alfasi and Martin Travers made art throughout the day for the public to view and observe.
#EidinKingsHeath coverage by ITV Central who were in attendance. See what Curator Mohammed Ali and visitors had to say about the event.
The celebration of Eid takes place twice a year for the Muslim community. It begins with congregational prayers in the morning at the local mosque and continues with festive activities, usually within families’ homes. Nowadays, community centres, parks and public squares are hosting more public gatherings where the festival is celebrated with the wider public, including people from the broader community and those not of the Muslim faith
Why Kings Heath?
Kings Heath now has a Muslim population of 3135, which is 18% of the area. There has never been a visible display of Eid in Kings Heath before, and the Kings Heath Eid event was planned to be an unprecedented moment of unity for all of Kings Heath. The community connected like never before.
Artistic Director of Soul City Arts and founder of Eid In Kings Heath, Mohammed Ali says, ‘Our cities don’t really provide enough spaces for people of all background to come together, so we have to create these spaces ourselves. Our faith celebrations can and should be celebrated with the wider community regardless of their background
Curated and presented by Soul City Arts in conjunction with Kings Heath BID, the event was the first public Eid event to take place outdoors on the Kings Heath High Street. Neighbours and residents gathered to forge new friendships, enjoy great art as well as experience some of the local Kings Heath food vendors gathered from the local area and beyond.
The event took place on Sunday 2nd July, 12-6pmon the corner of Vicarage Rd and High Street, Kings Heath in front of the All Saints Church, with a stage programme that ran throughout the day.
The event was supported by All Saints Church and Birmingham City Council
